Travel insurance when going scuba diving or snorkelling.
Scuba diving tips for your underwater adventure.
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Looking to escape the cold of Canada? How does exploring the underwater wonders of the Caribbean's colourful reefs sound? Or, perhaps, diving into the crystal-clear waters of Southeast Asia? Maybe even diving into the wrecks of the Mediterranean? Whatever the destination, there’s no doubt scuba diving offers an unforgettable experience.
Before you dive into the deep end (literally), it’s important to be prepared. From understanding the local dive conditions to purchasing the appropriate scuba diving travel insurance, being ready for your international diving escapade can make all the difference.
- What types of dives are covered?
- What does scuba diving travel insurance cover?
- What’s not covered by scuba diving travel insurance?
- Scuba diving tips
What types of dives are covered?
As passionate divers ourselves, we’ve designed our scuba diving travel insurance plans to cover dives from the Great Blue Hole to The Yongala, and we can offer coverage for:
- Recreational scuba diving, including cavern diving, up to 30 metres.
- Recreational scuba diving, including cavern diving, up to 40 metres, with payment of an additional premium.
- Discover or “learn to dive” scuba dives with a qualified instructor.
- Scuba diving as a paid or volunteer instructor or guide, with the payment of an additional premium.
- Shark cage diving (non-qualified at surface or qualified to scuba dive to 30 metres).
Special conditions and exclusions may apply. Divers must hold a valid SCUBA diving certification (PADI, SSI or BSAC or equivalent) and follow the relevant association rules and guidelines at all times. Learners must only dive under the constant supervision of a properly licensed diving school and follow their rules and instructions at all times.
If you’re not sure whether something is covered, contact us.
What does scuba diving travel insurance cover?
At World Nomads we offer two travel insurance plans – Standard and Explorer – each with different levels of coverage for scuba diving, snorkelling, and 250 other activities. When you get a quote, you can compare the plans side by side and decide which has the right level of coverage to meet your needs.
When you buy your travel insurance policy, you’ll need to list the activities you plan to participate in while travelling. Level 1 activities – such as scuba diving up to 30 metres – are automatically covered. Level 2 and Level 3 activities – like diving up to 40 metres – require an additional premium. World Nomads offers cover (up to the policy limits) for:
- Emergency medical: your health and safety are a priority when you’re exploring the ocean, which is why our plans cover emergency medical expenses should you become sick with decompression sickness, get into an accident or otherwise get hurt while diving or snorkelling. This can include use of a hyperbaric chamber, if deemed medically necessary
- Ambulance transportation and emergency evacuation: Dives that go wrong on reefs are not only unfortunate, they’re also costly – our scuba diving insurance includes coverage for ambulance transportation to the nearest qualified medica service provider and emergency medical evacuation (subject to approval from our 24/7 Emergency Assistance Team) to a hospital in your home province when your attending physician and our medical department recommend you return home for medical treatment.
- Baggage protection: Scuba diving gear isn’t cheap – World Nomads offers baggage protection with up to $3,000 coverage under the Explorer Plan and $1,000 with the Standard Plan for lost, stolen, or delayed items.
- Trip cancellation: if your dive trip is cancelled or interrupted due to an unforeseen event like a hurricane that results in Canadian Government travel advisory against travel to your dive destination, you may be able to recover your unused/additional travel expenses. This includes if your destination is deemed unsafe by a natural disaster.
Note: To be eligible for maximum emergency medical benefits, you must be covered under your GHIP for the entire duration of your policy. Without GHIP coverage during your trip, emergency medical benefits will be capped at $40,000 CAD.
What’s not covered by scuba diving travel insurance?
While we can offer coverage for a lot of scuba diving events, there are some things we don’t cover. These include, but are not limited to:
- Any scuba dive, including cavern diving, that takes you deeper than your current qualification limits, or any dive deeper than 40 metres.
- Any unaccompanied or solo dive, commercial scuba diving or cave diving.
- If you travel against medical advice or neglect to adhere to government of Canada "Do Not Travel” warnings issued prior to departure.
- Any pre-existing medical conditions unless otherwise expressly stated in your policy.
- Participation in a sport or activity not listed as covered in the policy wording or where you haven’t paid the required additional premium.
- Expenses you incur after you return to Canada.
Got a question? Reach out to us, we’re always here to help.
Scuba diving tips
Here’s some tips on how you can get the most out of your scuba diving trip, while also staying safe:
- Make sure you’re physically ready for scuba diving. Consider a medical check-up and obtain a 'fit to travel' approval from your doctor before diving.
- Before you plunge into the depths, give your gear a once-over to make sure everything’s in tip-top shape. Then, team up with your dive buddy for a thorough check – from tanks to regulators, ensure every piece is secure and dive-ready.
- For a dive that’s as safe as it is thrilling, stick with top-notch operators – choose companies that’re known for operating licenced, well-maintained sea-vessels, who only hire qualified dive instructors.
- Move slowly and calmly in with the underwater world – you’re more like to enjoy an up-close and personal experience with the marine residents when you blend in.
Ready to dive off the deep end?
Before you take the plunge, consider comparing our Standard and Explorer plans, or grabbing a quote. If you have any questions, contact us, our team is always here to help.
This is only a summary of coverage and does not include the full terms and conditions of the policy. It is important you read and understand your policy as it contains benefits, conditions, exclusions and pre-existing condition exclusions. If you do not understand your coverage, of if you have questions about your coverage, just ask us.
Travel Insurance Benefits: how we can take care of you
Trip Cancellation
Protect your hard earned vacation from unexpected cancellation.
- Explorer Plan: $5,000
- Standard Plan: $2,500
Trip Protection
- Unexpectedly hospitalised?
- 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.
- 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 Evacuation & Repatriation
We’ll get you to hospital or home quickly.
- Explorer Plan: $500,000
- Standard Plan: $500,000
Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation
- Sea level medical evac?
- Need an ambulance?
- Medivac needed home?
Help starts here.
Protect your gear
Covers the theft, damage or delay of your bags, tech and sports gear.
- Explorer Plan: $3,000
- Standard Plan: $1,000
Protect your gear
- Go Pro stolen?
- Bags lost in transit?
- Luggage delayed?
Help starts here.
- Emergency Medical Expenses
- Emergency Dental for Injury or Sickness
- Bedside Companion Travel and Subsistence
- Emergency Professional Services
- Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation
- Return of Travel Companion/Dependent Children
- Return to Your Trip Destination
- Return of Remains
- Travel Accident
- Flight Accident
- Trip Cancellation
- Trip Interruption
- Trip Delay
- Baggage and Personal Effects Theft or Damage
- Baggage and Sporting Equipment Delay
- Travel Documents Theft or Damage
- Sporting Equipment Theft or Loss by a Common Carrier
- Covered Adventure Sports listed in Policy
Assistance Services Included
- LiveTravelTM Emergency Assistance
- Worldwide Travel Assistance
- Adventure Travel Hotline
- 24/7 Security
- Travel Medical Assistance
- Bag Trak
24/7 emergency assistance
Whether you need medical or dental assistance or advice, emergency evacuation or travel assistance, our team are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year before and during your trip.
Are you in need of emergency assistance right now?
Telephone +1 866 878 0192 (toll-free from Canada and the Continental U.S.) or +1 416 646 3723 (collect from anywhere else in the world)
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.
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How do I get to a medical centre if I’m injured underwater?
As soon as you’re able to, contact our emergency assistance team so that they can help to the care that you need.
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What if the airline damages my gear
If your diving gear is damaged by the airline, World Nomads may provide coverage for the cost to replace it. You’ll need to claim with your airline first, then provide the airline’s benefits report when you claim with us to make up the difference, up to the policy limits.
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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. If you require hospitalization and/or medical evacuation our emergency assistance team will work directly with the hospital and evacuation services on your behalf. They may be able to arrange direct payment with the medical provider. However, if the treatment you receive is from an urgent care facility or walk-in clinic, you most likely will have to pay out of pocket and claim for reimbursement.
Before your trip, check the latest government advice for any travel alerts for your destination.