Travel insurance when going scuba diving or snorkelling
Simple and flexible travel insurance to protect you on your next dive trip. Buy at home or while travelling and claim online from anywhere in the world.
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Calm waters, crystal clear visibility and a solid dive plan might make for the perfect underwater adventure, but accidents can happen. That’s why adventure and travel insurance should really go hand-in-hand.
Whether you're learning to dive or you’ve enjoyed countless hours beneath the sea, World Nomads travel insurance can help take the pressure off you and your family if the unexpected sinks your next dive trip.
- What types of dives are covered?
- Choosing the right policy for you
- Coverage for your scuba diving gear
- Cover for medical emergencies
- Coverage for medical evacuation
- What's not covered?
What types of dives are covered?
As passionate divers ourselves, we’ve designed our 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.
Choosing the right policy for you
We offer two plans – Standard and Explorer - each with different levels of coverage. 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 will 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.
Coverage for your scuba diving gear
Both World Nomads plans include cover if your baggage and gear becomes delayed or lost by your common carrier, or stolen subject to the limits outlined in your policy. All coverage is secondary to the coverage provided by your airline or other common carrier. Be sure to check the per item and overall limits when you compare coverage (the Explorer plan offers higher limits and sub limits of coverage).
Baggage delay coverage can help if your airline or other common carrier loses your bags en route to your trip for more than 12 hours, by providing reimbursement for the essentials you need to tide you over until you are reunited with your bag.
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 and make a claim directly with the carrier before making a claim with us. In the event of theft, burglary or robbery, you must obtain written documented evidence (i.e. a police report) from the police immediately or as soon as reasonably possible and a written confirmation of the loss from the hotel manager, tour guide or transportation authority.
Cover for medical emergencies
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, get into an accident or get hurt whilst diving or snorkeling. Emergency medical travel insurance may be able to cover you for emergency evacuation and unforeseen travel costs incurred due to a medical emergency, while also providing emergency assistance services.
To be eligible for maximum emergency medical benefits you must be covered under your Government Health Insurance Plan (GHIP) for the full duration of your policy. If you do not have GHIP coverage while you are travelling, emergency medical benefits will be limited to $40,000 CAD for the duration of your trip.
Coverage for medical evacuation
You might be on a reef far from medical assistance on your dive, and our policies include coverage if you need emergency evacuation to a medical facility.
Emergency assistance 24/7
Having an emergency in a foreign country or another province can be overwhelming but buying a World Nomads policy means you’ll have access to our 24/7 Emergency Assistance team. Our Emergency Assistance team can facilitate a range of services in whatever part of the world you’re travelling, can speak multiple languages and they’re available 365 days a year.
Scuba diving: What’s not covered
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.
Handy tips for safe 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’
- 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
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, or if you have questions, 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 teamWherever you are, we’re here 24/7 to help you in any emergency.
Emergency Assistance, World Nomads
Travel insurance. Simple & flexible.
Travel insurance for independent travelers and intrepid families. Nobody wants to think about all the things that could go wrong on their trip, but these things can and do happen. So be prepared and get your travel insurance today.
FAQ
Here are our most frequently asked questions about buying travel insurance for pregnancy. You can also find the answers to other questions in our Helpdesk or you can ask the customer service team. If you’re looking for general travel advice, you can ask our community at Ask a Nomad.
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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 your destination and any travel alerts including important COVID-19 coverage advisory and limitations.