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Travel Insurance for Scuba Diving

Essential coverage details and safety tips for American scuba divers.

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For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.

Scuba diving brings about feelings of wonder and independence that can be hard to experience above the water. From coral reefs in Cuba to stingrays and dolphins in Japan, there is no shortage of divine dive sites around the world, so it’s just a matter of choosing which diving adventure suits you best.

And while calm waters, crystal clear visibility, and a bulletproof dive plan might make for the perfect underwater adventure, accidents can happen, even if you’ve taken all the steps to scuba dive safely. Whether you’re recently certified, or you’ve got hundreds of dives under your belt, World Nomads travel insurance* can help when the unexpected sinks your next dive trip.

What types of scuba dives are covered?

As passionate divers ourselves, we’ve designed our plans to cover dives from the Great Blue Hole in Belize to The Yongala in Australia. We can offer travel insurance coverage for:

  • Recreational scuba diving (qualified divers to 165 feet/50 meters).
  • Discover scuba dives (with qualified instructors).
  • Shark cage diving (Explorer & Epic plans only).
  • Cavern and cave diving down to 165 feet/50 meters for Explorer plans; 196 feet/60 meters for Epic plans.
  • Free diving, down to 197 feet/60 meters (Explorer & Epic plan only).
  • Snorkeling, island escapes, live-aboard trips and more.

Choosing the right plan for you

We offer four plans - Standard, Explorer, Epic and Annual - and each offers different levels of coverage. It is up to you to choose what plan has the right level of coverage to meet your travel needs and that matches your specific scuba diving plans. You can’t upgrade your coverage after you purchase a plan, so it’s important to get this right on the first go.

Why buy travel insurance when going scuba diving?

Coverage for your scuba diving gear

We also offer gear coverage for your baggage and sporting equipment. If your baggage or scuba diving gear is delayed, lost, and/or damaged while checked in with a common carrier, you may be able to claim reimbursement up to your plans per item and total maximum limit. Terms and conditions apply so be sure to check the plan wording and contact us if you have any questions.

If your gear is delayed, lost or damaged, you must report the incident as soon as possible to a responsible officer for the carrier. Make sure you get a Property Irregularity Report, or a similar official report, in writing. In the event that your gear is either lost or delayed by an airline, call our non-insurance service partner, Blue Ribbon Bags. They will track and expedite the return of your airline baggage on any airline, anywhere in the world.

Please note we do not offer coverage for damage to sporting equipment while in use.

Coverage for medical emergencies

Your health and safety are a priority when you’re exploring oceans and seas, which is why our plans cover emergency medical expenses should you become sick, get into an accident or get hurt whilst diving or snorkeling, even when abroad. This could include the use of a decompression chamber, should it be warranted.

Coverage for emergency medical evacuation

You might be on a reef far from medical assistance on your dive, and our plans include coverage if you need to be evacuated to a medical facility. An emergency evacuation must be ordered by a physician who certifies that the severity of your accidental injury or sickness warrants your emergency evacuation and authorized by the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team.

24/7 emergency assistance

Having an emergency in a foreign country can be overwhelming, but buying a World Nomads plan gives you access to the 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. They can facilitate a range of services in whatever part of the world you’re traveling, can speak multiple languages and they’re available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Scuba diving: What’s not covered

Travel insurance doesn’t cover everything. Things we don’t cover include, but are not limited to:

  • If you travel against medical advice.
  • Diving or snorkeling under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Diving without certification, unless it is a Discovery-type course with an instructor.
  • Diving without a dive master present during the dive.
  • Participation as an athlete in any professional sports.
  • Diving to depths deeper than those listed above.
  • Any activities that aren’t on our adventure sports coverage list.
  • Search-and-rescue missions.
  • Any medical bills related to a pre-existing condition, unless you purchased the Epic or Explorer plan during the time-sensitive period were medically able to travel at the time of purchase.
  • Unattended baggage, sporting equipment, diving gear, or personal items.
  • If traveling domestically, travel within 100 miles from your home.

Handy tips for safe scuba diving:

  • Only dive if you are fit to do so. You may want to consult your doctor before going scuba diving
  • 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.
  • When scuba diving with a group, listen to your instructor or dive guide regarding the planned route and what to look out for.
  • If it’s been a long time since your last dive, consider doing an easy refresher dive before jumping into a deeper or more challenging dive.

When you’re ready, head to our website to get a quote, and feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.

Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you

Trip Protection

Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.

  • Standard Plan: $2,500
  • Explorer Plan: $10,000
  • Epic Plan: $15,000
  • Annual Plan: $5,000
Trip Protection
  • Unexpectedly hospitalized?
  • Dive buddy unfit to travel?
  • Close relative suddenly dies?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Medical Insurance

Take the pain out of medical or dental costs.

  • Standard Plan: $125,500
  • Explorer Plan: $150,000
  • Epic Plan: $250,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Medical Insurance
  • Stepped on a stonefish?
  • Got a serious squeeze?
  • Need O2 or hyperbaric treatment?

We’ve got your back.

Emergency Evacuation

We'll provide assistance to get you to the hospital or home quickly.

  • Standard Plan: $400,000
  • Explorer Plan: $500,000
  • Epic Plan: $700,000
  • Annual Plan: $100,000
Emergency Evacuation
  • Sea level medical evac?
  • Need an ambulance?
  • Medivac needed home?

Help starts here.

Protect your gear

Covers the loss, theft or damage of your bags, tech and gear.

  • Standard Plan: $1,000
  • Explorer Plan: $2,000
  • Epic Plan: $3,000
  • Annual Plan: $2,000
Protect your gear
  • GoPro stolen?
  • Bags lost in transit?
  • Luggage delayed?

Help starts here.

The amounts listed represent the maximum benefit amount.

Protect your health

  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance Help Line
  • Emergency Medical & Dental Expenses
  • Emergency Evacuations
  • Bedside Companion Travel
  • Emergency Medications

Protect Your Trip

  • Trip Cancellation
  • Optional Cancel for Any Reason (Explorer or Epic)
  • Trip Delay & Trip Interruption
  • Missed Connection (Explorer or Epic)
  • Rental Car Damage (Explorer, Epic or Annual)

Protect Your Stuff

  • Baggage Delay
  • Passport and Visa Loss
  • Lost or Stolen Bags
  • Personal Tech, Equipment & Gear
  • Baggage Return After Evacuation

Non-Insurance Services

  • Medical & Non-Medical 24/7 Emergency Assistance Line
  • Translators Available
  • Runway Health
  • FootprintID
  • Blue Ribbon Bags
This is a general summary for US residents only. Restrictions, exclusions and limitations will apply. Benefits limits may vary depending on the plan chosen. Check the plan documents for full details.

24/7 emergency assistance

Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, 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 assistance right now?

Contact Generali Global Assistance:
Telephone: +1 954-334-8143 (Collect outside the US)
+1 877-289-0968 (Toll-free in the US and Canada

Contact the team