Hi all!!

Just a quick note for any divers approaching (or over) 65 and struggling to get insured!

Hope you don’t think I’m going into sales mode but I work for Scubasure (dive insurers) and we have approached the underwriters (the pesky people that assess the various risks that a person presents) about raising the age above 65, our current cut off point.  65 is young these days and one survey even suggested that a lot of people actually start diving at this age!! 

Well we have not yet won the battle but I just wanted to tell you that we do offer annual policies through another company that covers diving as standard up to 30 metres up to the age of 69.  Past the age of 69 you can take out single trip policies covering diving up to 30 metres!  If anyone has any queries please don’t hesitate to contact me!

Just thought this info may be useful!

Charlie

I know several people who dive beyond the age of 65, trouble is they also dive way beyond 30m.

Well I certainly intend to be diving for as long as I can, well as long as I can remember where I put my kit anyway

Shaun

To Mark - I know its not ideal being only up to 30 metres but its an option!  Unfortunately other options seem to be extremely hiked up premiums or no insurance at all (as some insurers won’t insure past 65).

To Shaun - we also do kit insurance so should you lose it.... ;o)

Charlie

Hi Charlie

Will that also cover my zimmer frame if I forget about it and leave it on the sea bed

Shaun

If your zimmer frame is listed as kit then yes!  Ha, ha!!  As long as it is properly maintained for underwater used and weighted sufficiently to stop it floating away! Ha, ha!

Will make sure its in tip top condition and come and see you when I need it and me insured.

Shaun

Hi Charlie

So what is the upper age restriction for diving insurance and do you need to have regular dive medicals to get it Not that it will apply to me for ages I’m only 21

Shaun

Hi Shaun,

You have a long way to go as the age limit for Scubasure dive travel insurance is 65.  This is also true for some of the other big insurers.  Those that do insure beyond 65 tend hike the premiums up as over 65 is seen as a high risk age group.

The argument Scubasure have is that a diver is, by default, going to be very fit - probably fitter than some non-divers half their age!  But the insurance world is pretty rigid in what it considers to be a risk.  That said we do have, as mentioned, a company that we work with who can offer competitive cover over 65 - however only diving up to 30 metres.

The medical aspect comes down to the medical declaration.  Presumably all regular divers will have checks to ensure they are fit to dive.  However with Scubasure (and most insurers) as long as you can comply with the medical declaration you are fine.  If you can’t you simply declare your condition and the underwriters (risk assessors) decide whether this will be an exclusion to your policy.  This means you’re insured as normal but any problem related directly or non-directly to your condition is not covered.

Hope that answers all your queries!

Charlie