Best Travel Insurance for Diving Liveaboards
Written by Antonio Cala.
Table of Contents
Whether you’re a devoted diving enthusiast, an underwater nature lover, or an avid adventurer exploring the depths, securing the appropriate insurance is crucial. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of travel insurance crafted for diving liveaboard trips.
We will unravel the distinctive factors to contemplate when embarking on an organized liveaboard experience, shedding light on essential features to keep in mind. Additionally, we’ll provide our top recommendations for 2024 to ensure you’re well-prepared beneath the waves.
For an in-depth exploration of insurance options tailored specifically for diving enthusiasts, don’t forget to delve into the Ultimate Guide to Adventure Travel Insurance.
Diving Liveaboard Insurance Overview
Travel Insurance for Diving Liveaboards
Most diving liveaboards require you to have dive accident insurance to go on their trips. This type of insurance covers you in the event of an accident while scuba diving and includes the cost of hyperbaric chambers and other related medical expenses.
Additionally, you can obtain insurance to protect your trip investment and diving equipment.
What Does It Cover?
An insurance for diving liveaboards works similar to a traditional travel insurance policy, offering you protection for the following:
Medical Expenses
If you find yourself injured or unwell during your diving liveaboard trip, having the appropriate insurance is essential. Tailored for underwater expeditions, this insurance addresses the expenses associated with emergency medical situations in foreign locations, such as hospital bills or hyperbaric chamber fees..
This coverage caters to various medical requirements, spanning from fundamental treatments to intricate procedures. Whether you require immediate first aid or extensive medical attention, a reliable insurance plan ensures you receive the necessary financial support while navigating the demands of the deep sea and outdoor exploration throughout your liveaboard diving experience.
Baggage Coverage
If your diving equipment, such as your dive gear or other belongings, gets damaged, stolen, or lost during your underwater explorations, this type of insurance typically offers coverage for diving equipment .
The coverage amount may vary, ranging from a few hundred dollars to several thousand. This allows you to file a claim to assist in covering the costs of repairing or replacing your essential diving gear.
Trip Cancellation or Interruption
If you have to cancel or cut short your diving trip due to an injury or other unforeseen circumstances specific to liveaboard trips, specialized insurance for these situations can be invaluable. This insurance offers the flexibility to seek reimbursement for the portions of your underwater expedition that you had to forego due to unforeseen circumstances.
Emergency Evacuation
Arguably the most crucial coverage for any diving liveaboard adventure is emergency medical evacuation. This feature ensures that you can be transported to the most appropriate medical facility for treatment or even repatriated back to your home country if needed.
What Doesn't Cover?
Every insurance provider has its own limitations on what they cover and what they don’t, so make sure you check the fine print before purchasing. Here are the most common exclusions:
Traveling contrary to government advice: If you choose to travel against the recommendations of the U.S. Department of State, it is unlikely that your policy will provide coverage.
Diving beyond recreational limits: Most insurance companies won’t cover you if you dive deeper than 40 meters (130 feet) and have an accident at that depth.
Remote Regions: Activities in remote locations such as Antarctica, the Arctic Circle, or Greenland might not be covered by certain insurance companies. Make sure you state exactly where the cruise is going to make sure you’re covered.
Natural disasters: Some companies won’t cover if your trip is cancelled due to earthquakes or hurricanes.
Best Travel Insurance for Diving Liveaboards in 2024
Our Pick For
Liveaboard Trips in Hurricane Prone Areas
Nationalities: Most nationalities are covered.
Pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
Seniors Over 65: Includes coverage for divers age 74 and under.
Trip Duration: The maximum trip length for single-trip programs is 180 days, while the maximum trip length for multi-trip program is 42 consecutive days (per trip).
Groups: Both membership and insurances are available as individual and family plans.
Reasons To Buy
Unlike DAN, short term plans are available.
Liveaboard rider protects your trip investment in almost any situation.
Available for divers age 74 and under.
Reasons To Avoid
You need to purchase a membership first, then add your insurance.
Emergency Medical Expenses – Diving Related: Up to $1,000,000.
Emergency Medical Evacuation – Diving Related: Up to $1,000,000.
Emergency and Accidental Medical Treatment and Evacuation – Non-Diving Related: Up to $50,000.
Cancellation and Interruption- Comprehensive Coverage: Up to $15,000.
Lost Diving Days due to Weather: Up to $200/1000 (day/total). Travel Delay: Up to $1,000.
Dive Assure stands as one of the popular insurance choices for international travelers who are avid divers. Their membership, coupled with dive accident insurance, travel insurance, and the liveaboard rider, offers a comprehensive protection package for every diver. It’s the best option for travelers wanting to insure their liveaboard trip.
Dive Assure stands as one of the popular insurance choices for international travelers who are avid divers. Their membership, coupled with dive accident insurance, travel insurance, and the liveaboard rider, offers a comprehensive protection package for every diver.
It’s the best option for travelers wanting to insure their liveaboard trip.
Our Pick For
Dive Accident Insurance
Nationalities: Most nationalities are covered. You will need to purchase your membership & insurance with the corresponding DAN office that serves your area (see Limitations section above).
Pre-existing conditions: Pre-existing conditions are not covered.
Seniors Over 65: Includes coverage for divers age 70 and over in the U.S. and Canada
Trip Duration: Both the DAN membership and dive accident insurance are only offered as annual. Travel insurance is offered for single trips or annual.
Groups: Both membership and insurances are available as individual and family plans.
Reasons To Buy
The price is competitive.
Available for divers age 70 and over in the U.S. and Canada.
Plans recognized worldwide
Reasons To Avoid
You need to join DAN first, then add your insurance
Only annual coverage available. You cannot buy a week or month coverage.
Accidental Medical Expense Coverage. Coverage for hyperbaric chamber treatment, physician and hospital charges and emergency transportation by ground, air or marine ambulance.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment. Coverage for loss of life or limb resulting from a covered diving accident or named water sport accident while on a trip.
Permanent & Total Disability Coverage if permanently unable to return to work due to a covered diving accident or named water sports accident while on a trip.
Search & Rescue Coverage. Coverage to support the Coast Guard, local police or the efforts of other international services to locate you at sea due to a covered diving accident.
Extra Transportation & Accommodation. Coverage for airfare, hotels, meals and incidentals if your return travel is delayed due to treatment prescribed by a doctor after a covered diving accident.
Lost Diving Equipment. Coverage for equipment such as a regulator, BCD, dive computer or fins that are unintentionally lost or damaged as a result of a covered diving accident.
DAN dive accident insurance is an affordable way for divers to obtain insurance against the costs of dive injuries that are often left uncovered by most travel insurances. You need to be DAN member to be able to purchase the insurance.
DAN is the most popular insurance for divers traveling internationally. Their membership, combined with dive accident insurance, provides comprehensive coverage that every diver should have when traveling.
Comparison Tables
Dive Accident Insurance
Company |
Plan |
Medical & Emmergency Evacuation |
Search & Rescue |
Lost Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Diamond |
$750,000 |
$250,000 |
$5,000 |
|
|
Platinum |
$500,000 |
$100,000 |
$2,500 |
|
|
Gold |
$250,000 |
$50,000 |
$1,000 |
|
|
Guardian |
$500,000 |
$50,000 |
$5,000 |
|
|
Preferred |
$250,000 |
None |
$2,500 |
|
|
Master |
$125,000 |
None |
$1,000 |
Travel Insurance
Company |
Plan |
Medical Expenses |
Emmergency Evacuation |
Trip Cancellation |
Travel Delay |
Missed Connection |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Elite |
$1,000,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$15,000 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
|
Deluxe |
$500,000 |
$500,000 |
$15,000 |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
|
Standard |
$150,000 |
$50,000 |
$5,000 |
$500 |
$1,000 |
|
|
Elite |
$100,000 |
$1,000,000 |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
|
|
Premium |
$50,000 |
$500,000 |
$2,000 |
$1,500 |
$1,500 |
|
|
Basic |
$25,000 |
$250,000 |
$2,000 |
$1,000 |
$500 |
Conclusion
When it comes to securing insurance for your diving liveaboard trip, the most critical aspect to consider is whether you want dive accident insurance only or if you would like to safeguard your trip against cancellations or interruptions as well.
If you prefer to purchase only dive accident insurance, a excellent choice is DAN.
If, on the other hand, you want to protect your trip against possible cancellations or interruptions (beyond just dive injuries), then the best option is Dive Assure with its liveaboard rider.
Other Travel Insurance Reviews
If you would like to read more about insurance options for other type of adventure trips, you can check out our other reviews below:
- Skiing & Snowboarding
- Hiking Trips
- Mountaineering & High Altitude Trekking
- Mountain Biking, Bike-touring & Bike-packing
- Rock Climbing, Ice Climbing & Bouldering
- Kayaking, White Water Rafting & Paddle Boarding
- Fishing & Spearfishing
- Diving Liveaboards & Freediving
- Sailing, Kite Surfing & Surfing
- Adventure Cruises
- Adventure Motorcycling
Diving Liveaboard Insurance Reviews Online
During your research, you might want to consider checking out articles from various publications that provide insights into the best insurance companies for diving liveaboards.
In my experience, the most honest and valuable reviews are found by real divers in forums like ScubaBoard or Reddit.
Here are some of the most popular threads I found interesting.
DAN vs. Dive Assure for dive and travel insurance? – Scuba Board Forums
DAN vs DiveAssure – Reddit
About the Author
Antonio was born and raised in Southern Spain, and quit his job in 2013 to travel the world full-time with his wife Amanda for 10 years straight. Their passion for adventure took them to visit 150+ countries.
They cycled 25,000km + from California to Patagonia, sailed over 10,000NM around the Caribbean & Sea of Cortez, rode their motorbikes 30,000 kms+ across West Africa (Spain to South Africa) and visited Antarctica, among many other adventure expeditions. Today, they’re still traveling, currently around the USA with an RV.
Traveling to so many places, remote destinations and by different means taught them a lot about travel insurance, which policies to hold depending on the area and the type of adventure they were doing. Antonio now publishes regular content to help other travelers choose the best travel insurance for adventure trips.
Together, they also run the travel community Summit, the RV site Hitched Up, the boutique accommodation blog Unique Places and the popular newsletter Adventure Fix, where they share their knowledge about the places they’ve visited and the ones still remaining on their list.
Antonio Cala
Co-Founder of Adventure Fix