Life Insurance for Scuba Divers – All you Need to Know

Understanding Scuba Diving

The term“scuba” comes from the breathing apparatus that divers use underwater which is short for “Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus.”When a person is engaged inscuba diving, they are isolated from the outer world. The apparatus (scuba) is entirely self-contained and has no connection with the surface for breathing. Scuba diving can be taken up as a hobby or as a career.

Scuba divers work in the armed forces, oil companies, offshore rigs, and travel industry. Scuba divers are also known as “frogmen”, “combat divers”or even“attack swimmers.”

What makes scuba diving risky?

With any adventure sport we pick, there is always a risk involved, and we consider scuba diving as one of the riskiest. Human beings aren’t supposed to breathe underwater, but theircuriosity has made them reach every inch of the earth. When divers descend underwater they are solely dependent on their diving apparatus; if anything goes wrong, they have to use their training skills to ensure that they reach the surface safely. Other than this there are a few more reasons which make scuba diving a risky profession from an insurance perspective:

• Equipment Malfunction: Divers mostly rent their equipment, so it is very likely that it may malfunction due to extensive use, which might result in drowning.

• Pulmonary Embolism: This occurs due to the difference of pressure between the underwater and the surface. The gas that the divers breathe is very dense, so they must use it in a controlled manner. If they do not take care, their lungs may swell up and pop like a balloon.

• Oxygen Toxicity:The problem of oxygen toxicity can occur for divers who go below a depth of 135 feet. Extreme depths lead to more excessive absorption of oxygen into the bloodstream which sometimes becomes toxic. This condition can cause nausea, unconsciousness, and seizures which is very dangerous while underwater.

• Nitrogen Narcosis: Thegaseous mixture in the scuba apparatus contains nitrogen gas. The human body has restrictions on the use of nitrogen. Deep divers use nitrogen to extreme levels, and in the long run, it can damagetheir sensory perception and impair judgment.

• Marine Life: Divers know that they are entering a wilderness within the water. A diver cannot afford to forget that, and mishaps can happen at any moment due to encounters with dangerous creatures of the sea. Marine life should be treated with care and caution because the environment doesn’t belong to us. The golden rule for scuba diving is to touch nothing and leave only bubbles.

Life Insurance for Scuba Divers

Does life insurance cover scuba diving? You may ask.When a scuba diver shops for their life insurance they are frustrated by the conception that people and life insurance companies hold for them. The mortality rates of a diver are quite low as compared to a person suffering from heart disease or those exposed to dangerous traffic. Then, why doinsurance companies tag scuba diving as the riskiest? The premiums for scuba diver life insurance are elevated to exorbitant rates by two words “scuba” and“diver”. For life insurance for divers, insurance companies segregate scuba divers into three categories:

• Vacation Diver:An instructor accompanies theperson who does a maximum of up to ten dives per year and remains within a depth of 75 meters
• Recreational Diver:Unlimited diving within a depth of 100 meters in open water and the diver must be certified.
• Risky Diver: 10 dives per yearbeyond 100 meters in open water. Also indulges in cave diving, spear diving, treasure diving, and rescue.

Once you have defined your area of expertise, you have to answer a volley of scuba diving life insurance questions from life insurances companies.

1. Are you diving for a living?
2. What is the number of dives per year?
3. What is the maximum depth you usually dive?
4. Do you dive in caves, wrecks or participate in salvage operations?
5. Do you dive other than the recreational norm (rescue diving)?

Before we dig more into the aspect ofscuba diving insurance, most companies won’t even consider your application if you are not certified. Once they confirm the details still their perception will be that you are diving with a certified buddy.Hence,if you are into scuba diving you would best get yourself certified.

Once you are considered a high-risk individual, it becomes quite tough to hunt for insurance policies with a standard premium. Possibilities are there, but the search has to be very wide.

Some companies are there whose lenient approach to particular occupationshave raised the hopes of high-risk individuals. The key to success is to approach anindependent insurance agency for the best scuba diving insurance.

How do I guarantee the best premium?

To get the best possible rates to contact your life insurance agent who knows the tricks of the trade. Finding approvals is all about knowing about the companies who are the best high-risk providers.The one that is right for you is that company that offers scuba diving life insurance cost as low as possible.

If you shop around, you willfind suitable products which are available for those whom we consider as high risk. However, there is no guarantee that you might get the desired policy.

The most important aspect to look into is the accuracy of your application. Though it might seem repetitive, never lie to your insurance agent. The consequences are much worse than you can imagine, say, if you have approved life cover for a depth of 100 feet which you have confirmed, and something happens to you at 130 feet – your claim will not be valid.

Scuba Diving Insurance – Types of Coverage

Most insurance companies will cover scuba divers providing the risk is not too high. The most common way to provide such cover is:

• Charging you a loaded premium:This is a percentage loading which can vary from 25% to 300% more than the standard premium depending on the risk level.
• Exclusion: There will be no insurance coverage for an injury related to scuba diving; other benefits will be the same as per policy terms.
• Cover without extra charge:Sometimes an insurance company may not see any risk involved to charge you extra and you will be lucky enough to get standard rates.

There are specialized companies who have tailored a product for divers which provide medical coverage as well as extra benefits like lost equipment and transportation costs. There are many alternatives offered to scuba divers by the insurance companies which have been accepted and are successful in the market.

Ensure your Bubble

While you will not be able to do anything to change the procedures and policies of the insurance companies, you have to think of ways to minimize the risk. The variety available in the market will have something designed to suit your needs. Every company has a different approach, find it get it approved and enjoy the underwater wilderness.