[Diving Insurance 2026] Does travel insurance cover diving? Compare water depth limits and coverage
Author:
Kwiksure Team
Created On:
2026-01-27
Edited On:
2026-01-27
Share:
-
-
-
-
The url was copied
In recent years, many Hong Kong residents have enjoyed traveling abroad to dive and appreciate the beauty of the ocean. Since diving is a high-risk activity, it's best to purchase travel insurance that covers high-risk activities before departure. This time, Kwiksure analyzes and compares the coverage and exclusions for diving in popular travel insurance plans to help everyone obtain the most comprehensive protection and travel with peace of mind.
- [2026 Ski Travel Insurance Comparison] Comprehensive Analysis of Coverage and Exclusions (with Tips on Insurance Purchase and Claims)
- [Travel Internet Guide] Introduction, advantages, disadvantages, and comparison of 4 internet data plans for overseas travel
- [Leave Guide] 2026 Public Holidays | 11 Tips for Annual Leave Travel for Workers | New Year | Easter Holiday
Does travel insurance cover diving activities?
Like most travel insurance policies, Diving and skiing are defined as high-risk activities. Some insurance plans will list high-risk sports as "non-covered items", so you need to carefully read the terms and conditions of each plan before purchasing insurance.
Recreational diving vs. Professional/Commercial diving
Generally speaking, even if a travel insurance plan covers high-risk activities, professional or commercial diving activities are usually excluded from coverage. Only recreational or amateur diving is covered, while professional sports, paid activities, or competitions are not covered.
Diving qualification requirements
Most insurance companies require participants to dive under the supervision of a qualified person or instructor to be eligible for coverage, or require the insured to hold an accredited diving license, like PADI (Association of Diving Instructors)、NAUI (International Association of Diving Instructors)、CMAS (World Aquatic Sports Federation), and SSI (International Scuba Diving School).
Common exclusions and limitations of diving travel insurance
Diving depth limit
Travel insurance policies that typically cover diving activities typically cover depths of 30 or 40 meters or less. 30 meters corresponds to the "Advanced Open Water (AOW)" level, while 40 meters corresponds to the "Deep Diver Specialty" level, which is the maximum depth for recreational diving.
Regarding diving depth, most travel insurance policies that cover high-risk activities include introductory diving and open water diving, while some travel insurance plans may not cover advanced open water diving activities above 30 meters. Policyholders should carefully check the exclusions in the coverage plan.
Different diving types and corresponding protections
|
Snorkeling |
Scuba diving |
Freediving |
|
|
definition |
Swimming in shallow water with the help of a snorkel |
Diving activities assisted by equipment such as air cylinders and breathing apparatus |
Diving activities are conducted solely through normal breathing and breath-holding |
|
Water depth |
Generally shallower than 5 meters |
18 to 40 meters or more |
Approximately 10 to 30 meters |
|
Suitable for |
Beginners and beginners |
You need to be a certified diver or have an instructor with you. |
Have diving experience |
|
risk |
Low |
high |
Medium to High |
|
Travel insurance covers |
General travel insurance usually covers this. |
Please pay attention to the terms and conditions regarding water depth and diving qualification requirements. |
You should check whether the terms and conditions cover freediving, and also check the water depth and diving qualification requirements. |
Pre-diving drug or alcohol effects
If the insured has consumed alcohol or taken medication before diving, the insurance company may refuse to pay compensation in the event of an accident.
Common diving accident risks
Decompression sickness (Diving sickness/Ceiling sickness, DCS)
Diseases caused by a rapid decrease in the pressure of the surrounding environment can occur if a person rapidly ascends back to the surface while diving. If nitrogen cannot be expelled in time, bubbles may form in the body, leading to dizziness, vomiting, weakness in the limbs, and joint pain. In severe cases, it can even lead to paralysis and death.
Nitrogen narcosis
As diving depth increases, the concentration of nitrogen in the water also rises. If too much nitrogen dissolves into the blood and nerve tissue, it can produce toxicity, causing symptoms similar to intoxication, impaired judgment, slowed reaction time, and even hallucinations. This can easily lead to serious mistakes and errors, resulting in life-threatening situations.
Barotrauma
When diving, water pressure changes rapidly with depth. If the body's "air chambers," such as the ears, nose, and lungs, cannot balance the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the body in time, tissue damage may occur, resulting in symptoms such as ear pain, tinnitus, nosebleeds, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, it can even lead to pneumothorax and air embolism.
Comparison of popular travel insurance policies and diving coverage
|
Comparison of popular diving travel insurance policies (HKD) |
|||||
|
Insurance Plan |
Diving depth limits |
Medical insurance coverage |
Overseas hospitalization cash allowance |
Personal accident |
Emergency medical care and body transport |
|
30 meters below sea level For other coverage terms, please refer to the Insurance terms and conditions. |
1,500,000 |
5,000 |
Accidents not caused by public transportation: 375,000 |
Actual cost |
|
|
No more than 30 meters For other coverage terms, please refer to the Insurance terms and conditions |
70 years old or below: 125,000 70 years and older: |
5,000 |
500,000 |
unlimited Due to pre-existing conditions: |
|
|
Below sea level 30 meters For other coverage terms, please refer to the Insurance terms and conditions. |
70 years old or below: 71 years or older: |
10,000 |
Personal accidents not caused by using public transportation: |
Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation: |
|
|
AXA's Excellent and Abundant Travel Experience - The Ultimate Leisure Plan |
No depth limit For other coverage terms, please refer to the Insurance terms and conditions |
Insured persons aged 18 to 70, under 18, and those paying adult premiums: 70 years and older: Under 18 years old: |
3,000 |
500,000 |
Comprehensive protection |
*The default travel destination is Asia.
*The above information is for reference only as of January 26, 2026. All information is subject to the announcements of the relevant insurance companies.
Medical expenses limit for diving accidents and maximum compensation for emergency medical assistance
Decompression chamber treatment cost
If an accident occurs during diving and causes a diving-related illness, emergency treatment in a decompression chamber is usually required, which may incur medical expenses of over HK$100,000. Generally, as long as the insured has not violated any exclusions for high-risk activities in the insurance plan, the insurance company will cover emergency medical support expenses. However, since there is usually a cap on the coverage for treatment and follow-up visits, and decompression chamber fees are high, if multiple treatments are required, the policy may not fully cover the treatment costs.
Maximum compensation for emergency medical transport
Diving carries inherent risks; incidents such as attacks by marine life, sudden illness, or equipment malfunction can occur. Diving sites are often far from urban areas, and medical facilities may not be adequate. Therefore, emergency medical transport is crucial when more advanced medical care is required and a transfer to another hospital is necessary. When considering an insurance plan, in addition to a 24-hour emergency support hotline, it is essential to check whether it covers emergency medical transport services.
Checklist for before purchasing diving insurance
When choosing travel insurance, you need to carefully review the terms and conditions regarding high-risk activities in the plan according to your own needs, and select the most suitable travel insurance plan:
- Does it cover high-risk activities?
- Does it cover snorkeling/scuba diving/freediving?
- Is it necessary to be licensed or accompanied by a qualified person or coach to be eligible for insurance?
- Diving depth limit
- Does it cover damage to diving equipment?
- Overseas treatment cost limit
- Does it include 24-hour emergency support?
- Emergency medical and body transport services
- Various Uninsured Items
Diving accident claim insurance process and tips
Before traveling, policyholders must save the insurance company's 24-hour emergency support hotline. In the unfortunate event of an accident, they must immediately seek medical assistance and report the incident. If the situation is serious, they need to contact the insurance company to inform them of the situation and make emergency medical arrangements. Most insurance plans have a claim deadline. The insured must fill out a form and collect all necessary documents before the deadline and submit the claim application by mail, in person, or online. If the documents are complete, the insurance company will take approximately 4 to 12 weeks to review the documents and complete the claims process.
Claim Tip 1: Seek immediate medical attention and report the incident to the police.
In the event of an accident, you should seek medical attention and report the incident immediately. Delaying reporting may result in the denial of compensation. If emergency rescue is required, you can call the insurance company's 24-hour emergency rescue hotline.
Claim Tip 2: Prepare all relevant documents
Insurance companies typically require complete documentation before processing a claim. Therefore, it is necessary to collect and preserve various documents to ensure a smooth claims process. These documents include:
- Diving course certificate/diving record
- A recognized doctor's diagnosis certificate must include the insured's name, symptoms, date of treatment, and receipt.
- A certificate issued by a doctor proving the severity of the disability.
- Original hospital bill
- Police report
- Invoices for emergency transport or helicopter services (if emergency transport support is involved).
Claim Tip 3: Do not submit the same document repeatedly.
If any documents are missing, they can be uploaded or sent to the insurance company within the specified period. However, do not submit the same document repeatedly to avoid being denied compensation.
Claim Tip 4: Pay attention to the claim deadline
Different insurance plans have different requirements. Policyholders typically need to notify the insurance company in writing and provide relevant supporting documents within 21 or 30 days of the incident to process the claim. Some insurance companies offer online claim platforms where applicants can fill out forms and upload relevant documents online to file a claim. If preparing the necessary documents takes longer, applicants can contact the insurance company for assistance.
Tips for purchasing diving travel insurance
1. Carefully read the claims terms and coverage details.
Policyholders should carefully read the claims terms, review the claims process, time limits, and required documents, and pay attention to the plan's medical coverage, overseas medical coverage, maximum personal accident compensation, and coverage amount for follow-up medical expenses in Hong Kong.
2. 24-hour emergency support and emergency medical transport services
In addition to a 24-hour emergency support hotline, since diving sites are often located in remote areas, it's best to have travel insurance plans that cover emergency medical care and body transport services, and check their maximum coverage limits. Before departure, the insured should note down emergency service hotlines for unforeseen circumstances.
3. Review the exclusions.
Even if travel insurance covers diving activities, it will still list various exclusions. After planning their trip, the insured needs to choose the most suitable travel insurance based on their activity requirements. Before purchasing, they should carefully review and compare the coverage and exclusions offered by different insurance companies.
Kwiksure provides different levels of Travel insurance to meet your needs. It covers medical care for high-risk activities, accidents, and personal property loss. Let’s request a quote and apply for insurance instantly via WhatsApp.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it covered by insurance if I don't have a diving certificate (underwater walking/introductory diving)?
Most travel insurance plans that cover high-risk activities will cover recreational diving within a specified area and at a limited depth. If the insured does not have a diving license, most insurance plans will require the diver to be accompanied by a qualified person or instructor in order to be covered. If an accident occurs while diving alone, no compensation will be provided. Therefore, you should carefully read the terms and conditions when purchasing insurance.
Are underwater cameras/computers covered by insurance if lost or damaged?
If the lost or damaged equipment is personal gear, it will be covered under personal baggage and property insurance, and compensation will be provided in accordance with the depreciation of the property. Some insurance plans allow you to add extra sports equipment coverage, which increases the coverage amount for sports equipment and covers equipment rental costs caused by a 12-hour delay in baggage.
Is freediving considered a high-risk activity? Is it covered by insurance?
Travel insurance plans define freediving as a high-risk activity. When purchasing travel insurance, you should pay attention to whether the terms cover freediving and check the water depth and diving qualification requirements.
Under what circumstances are diving accidents not covered by compensation?
Even if a travel insurance plan covers high-risk activities, the insurance company has the right to refuse compensation if the diving activity falls under any of the exclusions listed in the plan. Common exclusions include activities that are commercial competitions or paid events, the insured being a professional athlete, the diving area and depth exceeding the coverage limit, and the insured not being accompanied by a qualified person or instructor.
