Travel Insurance for Scuba Divers: What’s Covered, What’s Not, and Why It Matters
When you're traveling to dive, it's not just the underwater risks that matter. Missed flights, lost gear, illness abroad, and trip delays can all ruin a dive vacation before you even get in the water. That’s where travel insurance comes in. This guide explains what non-diving travel insurance covers, when you need it, and how it works alongside your dive accident policy.
What Travel Insurance Covers That Dive Insurance Doesn’t
Dive insurance is focused on emergencies that happen while diving like DCS, chamber rides, and emergency evacuations. Travel insurance fills in everything else that can disrupt your trip: weather delays, canceled flights, lost baggage, illness abroad, and more. If you only carry dive insurance, you’re still exposed to thousands in possible losses before and after the dive.
Why You Still Need Travel Insurance
Dive insurance covers emergencies that happen during or immediately after the dive. Travel insurance covers everything else before and after the diving stops.
That includes:
- Canceled flights or missed connections
- Trip interruptions or delays
- Lost, delayed, or damaged baggage
- Non-diving medical emergencies
- Hotel expenses due to quarantine or early return
- Family emergencies that cut your trip short
Most dive insurance plans do not cover any of these unless you specifically add a travel protection package.
What to Watch For
Many standard travel insurance policies exclude scuba diving unless you meet certain conditions:
- Diving must be recreational and within no-decompression limits
- Depth must be below a certain threshold (often 60 feet)
- You may be required to dive with a certified guide or instructor
- Some exclude coverage for any diving at all
Always check the activity exclusions and read the fine print if you're buying a general-purpose plan.
Travel Insurance vs. Dive Insurance
| Type | Covers | Usually Purchased Through |
|---|---|---|
| Dive Insurance | DCS, chamber treatment, evacuation, hotline | DAN, DiveAssure |
| Travel Insurance | Trip delays, baggage issues, non-dive illness | DAN add-ons, World Nomads, Allianz |
For most divers, pairing DAN's dive coverage with either their trip insurance add-on or a standalone travel plan offers the best combination of protection.
The Bundling Option: DAN Trip Insurance
If you're already using DAN for dive insurance, they offer optional trip protection to cover:
- Trip cancellation or interruption
- Lost or delayed baggage
- Flight delays or weather disruptions
- Travel assistance for non-diving issues
- Coverage if you're injured or sick outside of diving
This keeps all your emergency support and claims processing under one provider. It’s especially useful if you're traveling to a remote or expensive location with high upfront costs.
International Coverage and Evacuation
Even a minor injury can become serious when you're far from modern infrastructure. Travel insurance often includes:
- Transport to a capable hospital
- Coverage for expenses if you're delayed abroad
- Repatriation if you must return early
- Assistance paying for care up front if local facilities require it
Some countries and liveaboards may even require proof of both dive insurance and travel insurance before letting you board or dive.
Does Every Diver Need Travel Insurance?
No, but you should always run the numbers. If you're diving locally, or the trip is refundable and flexible, general travel insurance may not be worth it. But for international trips, prepaid packages, or hard-to-reschedule itineraries, it can be essential peace of mind.
How Much Does It Cost?
- DAN’s dive insurance ranges from $46 to $127/year for individuals age 50+
- Adding trip protection through DAN may cost an additional $150 to $300/trip
- Standalone travel insurance policies typically range from $250 to $800, depending on coverage, age, destination, and trip value
Compared to the cost of a single dive trip or a forced emergency return, it’s a small investment.
How to Choose a Policy That Works With Your Dive Coverage
- Look for plans that explicitly permit recreational scuba under their activity list
- Consider trip protection add-ons from DAN if you already have their dive coverage
- If using another provider, call to ask about exclusions for depth, guides, or diving certification
Some policies exclude diving by default but allow you to customize coverage through optional sports riders.
Final Tips
- Don’t assume your dive insurance covers your whole trip. It likely doesn’t.
- If you're using DAN, explore their trip protection options when booking flights and hotels.
- If you're not using DAN, choose a travel insurance plan that explicitly allows scuba diving.
- Save a copy of your coverage documents digitally in case you’re asked to show proof abroad.
- Always check the cancellation terms and limits before you buy.
I carry DAN dive accident insurance with the Guardian plan and add trip protection when the destination is remote, expensive, or inflexible. For big international trips, I also price out standalone travel insurance that covers flight delays and non-diving emergencies. It’s not about paranoia. It’s about avoiding unnecessary stress when you’re far from home and something goes wrong.