Mortgage Advisor & Director
Former Senior Protection Advisor
If you're a scuba diver, whether for leisure or as a professional, you may be wondering if it’s possible to get life insurance. Here, we explain whether scuba divers can get life insurance, how insurers assess applications from people participating in adventurous activities, and alternative insurance to consider.
Can you get life insurance if you’re a scuba diver?
Yes, scuba divers can get life insurance, but the process might be more complex compared to someone leading a less adventurous lifestyle. Although there’s no specific life insurance policy designed solely for divers, some providers and specialist insurers offer policies that treat scuba diving more favourably than others.
How your application gets assessed
Here are some of the key areas underwriters will look at when determining your eligibility and the cost of life insurance premiums as a scuba diver:
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Type of diving: Scuba diving covers a wide range of water activities, from shallow reef diving to deep technical dives. Insurers will want to know whether you primarily participate in recreational diving, cave diving, wreck diving, ice diving, night diving, or professional commercial diving - all of which involve varying degrees of risk.
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Diving qualifications and experience: Your diving experience and qualifications matter. Holding a PADI, SSI, or BSAC certification - and the level you’ve reached (Open Water, Advanced, or Divemaster), can influence your premiums. Experienced divers with recognised qualifications may be viewed as lower risk by some providers.
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Depth and frequency: Insurers may ask how often you dive and the maximum depths you reach. For example, recreational divers staying within the 30-metre (98-foot) limit may face fewer restrictions or exclusions than technical divers regularly descending below 40 or 50 metres.
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Location: Whether you dive in the UK’s coastal waters or take part in international dives (especially in hazardous environments and conditions) will affect how your application is assessed. More remote or extreme locations can heighten perceived risk, which could lead to higher premiums or certain policy exclusions.
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Age, health, and lifestyle: Your diving habits are only part of the picture. Insurers will also evaluate your age, general health, medical history, and lifestyle choices (like whether you’re a smoker or drinker) when calculating your premiums.
How to get a quote online
Whether you’re a recreational or professional diver, insurers will want detailed information about your diving activities before providing a quote. Searching for quotes online can be frustrating, as some platforms may not fully grasp your diving lifestyle or will have exclusions hidden in the small print of policies.
Speaking to a broker streamlines the process and ensures you get the right cover immediately. A quick conversation allows them to understand your diving habits and match you with insurers who are more lenient or experienced in underwriting policies for divers.
Ready for a free, no-obligation chat with an advisor who specialises in life insurance for scuba divers? You can get started here:
Get your bespoke life insurance quote today
What if you’re a professional diver?
Professional diving can be viewed as riskier than recreational, especially for those working in high-risk environments like offshore oil rigs or underwater construction sites. If you’re a commercial diver, here are some key areas to think about:
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Type of work: Whether you’re involved in underwater welding, offshore drilling, salvage work, scientific research diving, or simply a scuba diving instructor - your diving profession can impact your life insurance options.
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Working conditions: Diving in hazardous environments with strong currents, contaminated water, or deep-sea and ocean operations could result in higher premiums or policy restrictions compared to diving in controlled settings like a training pool.
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Employer coverage: If you’re a professional diver, you may have life insurance or personal accident insurance provided by your employer, so it’s always worth checking. But, this cover is usually limited, so it’s often still a good idea to explore personal life cover for added peace of mind.
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Specialist policies: Professional divers might need tailored coverage. An experienced broker can connect you with insurers comfortable underwriting life insurance policies for higher-risk occupations, ensuring your policy reflects your daily diving reality.
Does scuba diving affect other types of insurance?
Scuba diving can affect more than just life insurance, it may influence additional policy benefits and optional extras:
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Critical illness cover: Policies could cover decompression sickness (the bends), barotrauma, or pulmonary embolisms. However, some insurers may exclude diving-related illnesses, so it’s crucial to check the small print.
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Income protection: If you rely on diving for your income, specialist income protection insurance could safeguard your earnings if an accident prevents you from working. It pays a replacement wage based on a percentage of your current earnings.
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Personal accident insurance: For those regularly diving, personal accident insurance may be a worthwhile addition for cover in case of injury. It can be harder to find cover that includes certain types of scuba diving, but not impossible.
Why choose Teito for your life insurance needs?
Finding the right life insurance policy as a scuba diver isn’t always straightforward. Your diving habits and personal circumstances are unique, but expert support ensures you get cover that works for you, at a reasonable cost.
Although diving can lead to higher premiums with some insurers, our expert advisors can find the best insurance policies for your lifestyle and needs. They have extensive knowledge of insurers who can be more flexible with underwriting for scuba divers.
Here are some more of the reasons scuba divers at all experience levels choose us to find them the best life insurance policy:
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We can get tailored life insurance quotes for scuba divers
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Our advisors have 5-star ratings on leading review sites
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Your first chat is free, with no obligation to proceed
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Access to specialist insurers with flexible underwriting
Ready to take advantage of a free, no-obligation chat with an advisor specialising in life insurance for scuba divers? Get started here.
FAQs
Yes, cave divers can get life insurance, but your premiums may be higher due to the increased risk associated with these environments. Providing your broker full details about your experience, training, and the type of caves you dive in will help them find you the best life insurance policy.
Choosing an Adviser
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Read reviews from previous clients and make sure they provide a clear explanation of the products and services they offer, as well as the fees and charges associated with them.