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  1. World Nomads
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  5. Scuba Diving Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance for Scuba Diving

Simple and flexible travel insurance to keep you safe on your next dive trip. Buy at home or while traveling, and claim online from anywhere in the world.

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Why You May Need Scuba Diving Travel Insurance for Your Next Dive

Temporarily escaping the UK in search of the world’s most stunning underwater landscapes? Whether you’re exploring the vibrant coral reefs of the Maldives or descending into the depths of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, you’re bound to have a blast!

Before you take the plunge (pun intended), you may want to do a little preparation…just in case. Travel insurance for scuba diving not only covers the unexpected – like medical emergencies or equipment loss – but also ensures you’re protected for activities down in the blue depths.

What am I covered for when scuba diving?

Scuba diving is a mind-blowing experience that takes you into a whole new realm. Whether you're exploring the vibrant coral reefs of Hawaii, diving deep in the Red Sea's Sharm El Sheikh, or discovering the awe-inspiring Yongala wreck on Australia's Great Barrier Reef, we want you to enjoy every moment worry-free.

Our travel insurance plans offer cover for various scuba diving experiences, including:

  • Recreational Scuba Diving: Go up to 30 meters deep and discover the hidden treasures beneath the waves.
  • Learn-to-Dive Courses and Discover Scuba Dives: Take the plunge with qualified instructors who will guide you through your first underwater adventures.
  • Shark Cage Diving: Get up close and personal with these incredible creatures, feeling the adrenaline rush as you witness them in their natural habitat.
  • Snorkelling, Island Escapes, and Live-Aboard Trips: Dive into the crystal-clear waters, explore stunning coral reefs, and embark on unforgettable underwater journeys.
  • Cancellation protection: trip cancellations happen from time to time and travel insurance can help when the unexpected forces you to cancel your trip. Depending on what’s happened, we may pay for the value of your unused, non-refundable expenses.
  • Overseas emergency medical assistance: exploring the world through a scuba diving lens can be a great experience, but not if it ends in illness (ever experienced decompression sickness?) or an injury. Your policy may cover you for your overseas medical expenses, up to the policy limits and when agreed by us. You can submit a claim to recover unexpected medical expenses while abroad.
  • Air Doctor: have a medical issue that doesn’t require a hospital but does require a doctor (preferably one that speaks your language?). With World Nomads, you can access our worldwide online registry of doctors from the comfort of your hotel room abroad, without having to step foot in an E.R.
  • SmartDelay™: Our SmartDelay service hooks you up with free lounge access if your flight's delayed by 90 minutes or more.
  • Family cover: Cover for your family and emergency medical expenses incurred overseas including emergency dental, on both Standard and Explorer plans.
  • Delayed baggage: It can be a pain, however, if it’s been 24 hours and there’s no sign of your bags yet, insurance may cover you for the cost of some basic replacements such as pyjamas, toothbrush, and shampoo.
  • And much more…

Planning to participate in some other thrilling pursuits while abroad? World Nomads covers Brits for more than 150 sports and activities while traveling. Just make sure you pre-plan and select any and all activities you’ll be participating in, when you get your quote.

Buying the right level of cover

World Nomads offers two travel insurance plans, the Standard Plan and the Explorer Plan. These plans both offer cover for expenses in connection with hospitalisation, lost luggage, repatriation, and more. However, the Explorer Plan provides a more comprehensive policy offering higher limits.

When selecting your scuba diving travel insurance, it's important to consider the activities you'll be doing during your trip. Here's what you need to know:

  • If you plan to go scuba diving at least once, consider the type of diving you'll be doing, including the maximum depth and whether you need to be certified. These factors can impact your coverage.
  • Our policy covers conventional scuba diving only. To scuba dive without an instructor, you must hold a current certification from recognised organisations like Professional Association of Diving Instructors (P.A.D.I.), British Sub Aqua Club (S.A.C.), Sub Aqua Association (SAA), Confederation Mondiale Des Activites Subaquatiques (M.A.S.), or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification.
  • Remember, scuba diving requires training and precautions to ensure your safety. If you don't have a recognised qualification, dive only under the constant supervision of a certified instructor and always follow their rules and instructions.

Note: Read your policy wording for details on maximum benefit limits, exclusions and terms and conditions of your coverage.

Scuba Diving Abroad: Single Trip or Annual Multi-Trip Insurance?

World Nomads offers you the flexibility to choose between two plan options: Annual Multi-Trip and a Single Trip policy.

  • Single Trip: Are you heading out just once this year? Perhaps a Single Trip policy will be your best bet.
  • Annual Multi Trip: Are you a travelling adrenaline junky with a diving itch that requires a frequent scratch? Maybe consider saving yourself some time (and possibly money) by purchasing an Annual Multi-Trip Insurance policy. Did someone say scuba diving in Croatia in the summer, and Maldives in the winter?

Protecting your scuba diving gear

We know that scuba diving equipment doesn't come cheap. That's why we offer cover for high-value items such as scuba tanks, fins, BCDs, regulators, and underwater film and photography equipment. Though we don’t cover sports equipment while it’s in use, it can still be exposed to damage or loss. 

In case of delay, loss, or damage to your baggage and scuba diving equipment by a common carrier, follow these steps:

  1. Report the incident to a responsible officer of the carrier as soon as possible.
  2. Obtain a Property Irregularity Report or a similar official report in writing.
  3. Make a claim directly with the carrier before filing a claim with us.

Please refer to your policy wording for details on maximum benefit limits, exclusions, and conditions related to your coverage.

What's not covered

While we've got your back during your scuba diving adventures, there are a few things we won't cover. Make sure you avoid the following:

  • Scuba diving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (safety first guys – the open oceans are no place to be cavalier)
  • Competitive scuba diving or search and rescue costs
  • Scuba diving / cage diving: deeper than 30 metres
  • Refusal of repatriation or evacuation
  • Engaging in reckless behaviour
  • Ignoring your doctor's instructions or advice from our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team
  • Expenses related to pre-existing medical conditions, as explained in the policy wording
  • Expenses that can be recovered from another source
  • Exceeding the benefit limits and sub limits set out in the policy wording
  • Sporting equipment while in use

Please note that this is just a summary of cover, and it's essential to read your policy wording in full to understand the complete terms, conditions, limits, and exclusions. If you're unsure about your travel insurance cover, our customer service team is here to assist you.

Key tips when going scuba diving:

  • Only dive if you are fit to do so. You may need to consult your medical practitioner before going scuba diving and get a ‘fit to travel’ approval.
  • Check all your gear to ensure everything is in good working order and then do a buddy check of your fellow divers.
  • Only dive with reputable companies using licensed, seaworthy boats and well-maintained dive equipment. Make sure you check your instructor's credentials.
  • Don't fly for at least 24 hours after scuba diving. The aircraft's pressurised environment can trigger decompression sickness if you still have excess nitrogen in your system.
  • Make sure you have the right level of scuba diving travel insurance and that the kind of diving you plan to do is fully covered.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Cancellation

Protect your trip from unexpected cancellation.

  • Explorer Plan: £5,000
  • Standard Plan: £3,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalised?
  • Dive buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Abroad Medical Expenses

Take the pain out of medical costs while traveling abroad.

  • Explorer Plan: £10 million
  • Standard Plan: £5 million
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Stepped on a stonefish?
  • Got a serious squeeze?
  • Need 02 or hyperbaric treatment?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Transport

Expenses included in Emergency Medical limits.

Evacuation and Repatriation
  • Sea level medical evac?
  • Need an ambulance?
  • Medivac needed home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Cover your lost, stolen or damaged gear and tech.

  • Explorer Plan: £3,000
  • Standard Plan: £1,500
Protect your gear
  • Go Pro stolen?
  • Bags lost in transit?
  • Luggage delayed?

Help starts here.

  • Emergency Medical Expenses
  • Baggage & Personal Belongings
  • Cancellation
  • Trip Curtailment
  • Personal Accident
  • Loss of Passport or travel documents
  • Personal Liability
  • Legal Expenses (Personal Liability)
This is a general summary for United Kingdom residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefit limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.
Pre-existing medical conditions

You are not eligible to buy a policy if you travel against medical advice, travel with the intention of receiving medical treatment, or have a terminal illness. World Nomads policies cannot cover claims due to Pre-Existing Medical Conditions (PEMC), regardless of whether the condition is serious or not. You can still purchase a World Nomads policy, but the PEMC exclusion cannot be removed, and you will be responsible for any related costs.

For information on travel insurance providers that offer cover on PEMC, visit Money Helper or call 0800 138 7777.

24/7 Emergency Medical Assistance

If you need medical assistance or emergency medical evacuation our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.

Wherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.

Are you in need of Emergency Medical Assistance right now?

For policies purchased on or after 27 June 2024
+44 (0) 144 444 2021 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

For policies purchased before 27 June 2024:
Phone: +44 (0) 203 093 1750 (Call via an operator reverse charges. Not toll free.)

Contact the team

FAQ

Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying travel insurance for scuba diving. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask the customer service team. 

  • Does my travel insurance cover medical costs upfront or do I have to pay and claim later?
    It will depend on the situation at the time of the medical emergency! Should you require hospitalization and/or medical evacuation the insurer will work directly with the hospital and evacuation services on your behalf. They work very hard to ensure you do not have to pay out-of-pocket. However, should you require to visit an urgent care facility they will not accept any insurance, so you most likely will have to pay out of pocket and, upon your claim being approved, be reimbursed for your expenses.
Consumer duty - CK 28 July 23