- What is Dive Accident Insurance?
- Why do I Need Specialist Insurance for Scuba Diving?
- What Does Dive Accident Insurance Cover?
- What is Not Covered?
- When Am I Not Covered by Dive Accident Insurance?
- Comparing Dive Accident Insurance and Scuba Diving Travel Insurance
- Which Insurers Offer Dive Accident Insurance?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dive Accident Insurance?
Dive accident insurance is designed to cover the specific medical risks associated with recreational scuba diving – from decompression sickness to emergency evacuations. If you already have standard travel insurance that provides no or limited cover for diving, this specialist policy offers protection for medical emergencies and accidents while scuba diving.
Why do I Need Specialist Insurance for Scuba Diving?
Studies have estimated that 3 in every 100 dives result in scuba diving related injuries. Treatment can be expensive, with transport to and time in a decompression chamber costing tens of thousands of pounds.
Many standard travel insurance policies consider scuba diving to be an extreme activity and either exclude it entirely or have low depth restrictions, often only allowing you to dive to 18m.
Furthermore, most travel insurers will only cover you for scuba diving if it is an incidental activity to your trip and not the main purpose. This means a dedicated diving holiday may not be covered at all.
Essential elements such as hyperbaric chamber treatment and emergency evacuation are also frequently excluded, vital components of a scuba diving travel insurance policy.
What Does Dive Accident Insurance Cover?
Dive accident insurance is tailored for scuba divers and focusses on injuries from diving activities such as decompression sickness and barotrauma. (Barotrauma is physical tissue damage caused by pressure differences between the body’s internal spaces and the surrounding environment, most commonly affecting the ears and lungs). Dive accident cover typically includes:
- Emergency medical expenses (including hyperbaric chamber treatment)
- Emergency medical evacuation / repatriation costs
- Transportation and accomodation
- Personal accident benefits
- Search and rescue costs (some policies)
As always, cover is subject to limits and exclusions set out in the individual policy wording.
What is Not Covered?
Dive accident insurance usually does not cover:
- Trip delays or cancellations
- Lost baggage, personal belongings or dive equipment
- Medical care for non-diving emergencies
When Am I Not Covered by Dive Accident Insurance?
Typical exclusions are:
- Diving against medical advice or while medically unfit
- Diving under the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs
- Travel to a country against FCDO advice
- Diving in breach of safety or depth guidelines
Comparing Dive Accident Insurance and Scuba Diving Travel Insurance
Dive accident insurance is focussed only on medical emergencies and accidents during diving. It suits divers who already have standard travel insurance but require extra diving cover.
Scuba diving travel insurance is a broader policy which includes scuba diving as a covered activity. It covers trip cancellations or delays, lost or delayed baggage, medical emergencies abroad (including dive related injuries) plus emergency evacuation and repatriation. It suits divers planning a full trip that includes travel logistics and activities beyond diving.
Both are available as single trip or annual policies
| Cover includes… | Dive Accident Insurance | Dive Travel Insurance |
| Medical issues from diving (including treatment in a hyperbaric chamber) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Non-diving medical issues | ❌ Usually excluded | ✅ |
| Evacuation and repatriation following a dive accident | ✅ | ✅ |
| Trip cancellations or delays | ❌ | ✅ |
| Loss of baggage / personal belongings | ❌ | ✅ |
| Loss of dive equipment | ❌ Unless lost during a dive accident | ✅ Sometimes |
Which Insurers Offer Dive Accident Insurance?
Only a few providers offer dive accident insurance, including DiveAssure, Dive Master Insurance and Divers Alert Network Europe (DAN). Whilst dive accident insurance usually excludes cover for non-diving medical issues, DAN policies provide some cover for medical costs in this instance.
Key Features of Each Dive Accident Insurance Policy
The following table sets out the key features and cover limits of each dive accident insurance policy. This includes indicative prices for a one-week diving holiday plus an annual policy.
The information below was compiled in October 2025, prices and policy details are subject to change. Before you buy, it is important to familiarise yourself with the policy detail and conditions.
| DiveAssure | Dive Master Insurance | Divers Alert Network | Divers Alert Network | |
| Policy selected | DiveSafe Diving Accident Insurance | International Diving Emergency Cover (IDEC) Diver Accident | Sport Silver | Sport Gold |
| Emergency medical expenses1 | $1,000,000 | £100,000 | Total cost | Total cost |
| Emergency evacuation and repatriation costs1 | $1,000,000 | £250,000 | Total cost | Total cost |
| Transportation and accommodation costs1 | $3,000 | £5,000 | €5,000 (insured diver only) | €10,000 (insured diver & companion) |
| Personal accident1 | $10,000 | £10,000 | Up to €50,000 for permanent disability Death benefit up to €6,000 | Up to €100,000 for permanent disability Death benefit up to €12,000 |
| Search and rescue costs | Not included | £45,000 | €10,000 | €15,000 |
| Non-diving emergency medical expenses | Not included | Not included | Total cost of first medical assessment plus inpatient care up to €15,000 | Total cost of first medical assessment plus inpatient care up to €20,000 |
| Non-diving medical emergency evacuation and repatriation costs | Not included | Not included | Total cost | Total cost |
| Diving gear | $2,0002 | Not included | €1,5003 | €3,0003 |
| Personal liability | Not included | Not included | €25,000 | €100,000 |
| Price – annual cover4 | €69 | £122 | €105 | €241 |
| Price – 1 weeks cover4 | €49 | £32 | Annual cover only | Annual cover only |
1 In the event of a dive accident 2 Insurer will reimburse you up to the maximum for loss theft or damage of your dive equipment if lost, stolen or damaged during a dive accident. 3 If lost or damaged following a dive accident. 4 Prices as at October 2025 for a 40 year old solo female traveller with no pre-existing conditions.
✅ Click on the links below to visit the websites of our featured insurers and receive a tailored quote:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Dive Accident Insurance Have Depth Restrictions?
Always check the specific wording of your chosen policy. You are typically covered to the maximum depth allowed by your certifying agency (e.g. PADI) for your certification level. Dive Master Insurance also require you to seek advance authorisation for dives greater than 130m – not an issue for most recreational divers.
Will it Cover Me if I am Not Qualified?
Generally yes, if you are certified or in the process of obtaining a recognised dive qualification (and diving with a qualified instructor).
Will it Cover Me for Freediving?
Yes, free diving is typically covered.
Final Thoughts
If you plan to scuba dive whilst travelling, having appropriate insurance is key. Pairing your standard travel insurance policy with dive accident insurance ensures you are protected above and below the surface.
✅For more information on scuba diving travel insurance, visit our complete guide and explore our curated list of scuba diving travel insurance policies.
✅ Learn more about choosing the right liveaboard dive insurance here.