How to Buy Life Insurance for Scuba Divers

Life Insurance for Scuba Divers With the Lowest Rates in [2023]

Purchasing life insurance for scuba divers is a simple process. If you have heard differently, you are listening to the wrong people. Scuba diving is, without question, a fantastic sport, and I know that from first-hand experience. Over 1.3 million people in the United States are scuba divers and active in the sport.

I am an NAUI-certified diver and have been active in scuba diving for over 30 years. Applying for scuba diver life insurance is similar to other sports, such as sky diving, rock climbing, or drag racing, for that matter. Of course, some areas of diving can be more hazardous, but it can be a very safe sport with the proper safety measures.

Like these other risky sports, you can still qualify for preferred rates. Getting the best rates for scuba divers is listed in this article, so keep reading. I am a scuba diver and have first-hand experience in this great sport.

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Insurers are more liberal with scuba diving than ever before. Getting the best rates is simple when applying to the right companies.

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Life Insurance for Divers With Medical Conditions

I will start with life insurance for divers with medical conditions because the carriers are more concerned with your health than your driving habits. Anytime you apply for coverage, your health will always be an essential subject, regardless of a possible hazardous occupation, sport, or hobby.

Your scuba diver life insurance rates will be based mainly on your overall health. This will also include significant variables such as being overweight, smoking cigarettes, having a heart condition, etc. The underwriters will be very concerned about having a medical crisis while you are under water which significantly intensifies the problem.

This would be the same story if you were a pilot and suffered a medical issue at 5,000 feet in the air, for example.

 

Does Scuba Diving Affect Life Insurance Rates?

In many cases, scuba diving will not increase your rates at all.

Before we proceed, we learn how to get the best life insurance rates for scuba divers. But check out these other essential factors when calculating your rates. Or even your eligibility to purchase affordable term life insurance for scuba divers:

Your Age:

Your age plays a massive part in determining your premium. The older you are, the higher the premium. Therefore, if you need scuba diver life insurance, apply as soon as possible. It will only become more expensive once you apply if you put it off.

Health History:

Your current health is one of the life insurance companies’ essential factors. The more medical issues you have, the more likely your rates will increase, or you will possibly be declined. Your height and weight are also critical decision-makers.

Occupation:

Your rates can be affected if you have a hazardous job. For example, dangerous jobs like Iron Workers, Commercial fishermen, and Pilots, to name a few, can increase your rates.

Credit History:

Your rates can easily be affected if you have poor credit. The statistics show that people with poor credit ratings are more likely to trigger insurance claims.

Driving Record:

Your driving record reveals your respect for the law and your degree of responsibility. Unfortunately, people with poor driving records are more likely to have an auto accident, resulting in a fatality.

Parent Longevity:

A history of cancer, heart disease, and early death (before age 60) can cause your rates to increase. This pertains to your parents and siblings. Your genes can pass down these medical concerns. 

Face Amount:

The more significant the policy face amount (death benefit) you choose, the more expensive your policy will be. The longer the term period you select will also increase your premiums.

Tobacco Use:

If you use tobacco products, primarily smoking cigarettes, your rates can skyrocket. Cigarette smokers usually pay about 300% more money in premiums. The last mistake you want to make is smoking cigarettes when a scuba diver.

 

How Much Does Life Insurance for Scuba Divers Cost?

Most of the time, it does not cost a dime more than if you did not dive.

The cost of life insurance for divers will depend on several essential categories if you are interested in comparing life insurance quotes for scuba divers. We recommend running a quick 5-minute medical prescreen to get a good idea of what company to use and what health classes you will be assigned. A prescreen entails answering a few questions on our online form located on our prescreen page. This will help eliminate looking at inaccurate rates that will not apply to you. Of course, this will not be necessary if you are in excellent medical condition and do not take any medication.

You can use our instant quoting system to compare life insurance quotes for scuba divers from over 40 carriers. If you want to get your quote quickly, call us and we will be happy to quote you right over the phone.

Just keep in mind this is just speculation because an experienced agent needs to know the specifics of your scuba diving details. Here is a simple list of the underwriting categories I referred to above, depending on the type of policy and company you are applying with.

• Current Age
• Tobacco Use
• Medical Conditions
• Para-Med Exam
• Driving Record
• Parent Longevity
• Medical Records
• Height & Weight
• M.I.B. Report

*If this looks complicated, don’t worry because it’s not. Your agent does about 90% of the work in applying for life insurance for divers. All you have to do is answer a few questions using a simple telephone application.

 

What Are Flat Extra Fees for Scuba Divers?

Flat extra fees are assigned for many hazardous sports or occupations, not just diving.

Flat extra charges or fees are applied to add a dollar amount to a policy’s premiums to cover the additional risk the company is taking. For example, we will take a 30-year-old male who wants to purchase life insurance for pilots because flying airplanes are known to be very risky in case of a fatal crash. A life insurance company may add a $2.50 flat extra charge to the 30-year-old pilot’s 20-year term policy. If the pilot purchases a $250,000 policy, you would add $2.50 to each $1,000.00 in coverage.

Here is what the breakdown would look like for the pilot’s 20-year term policy with a base premium of $1,200.00 per year:

The flat extra fee of $2.50 is multiplied by 250 because the face amount is $250,000. You would then have a formula of 250 times the $2.50 for $$625.00. Add this $625.00 to the base premium of $1,200.00 per year, and you have $1,825.00.

In many cases, flat extra charges will not be applied to the cost of the policy. We zero in on companies that traditionally do not use many additional fees to keep our clients’ premiums as low as possible.

 

Can My Diving Depths Affect My Rates?

How deep you dive is one of the most important questions an insurer will ask.

Your maximum dive depth is of great importance and impacts your rates. If you are looking for the best rates for divers, stay under 75 feet of depth. If you stay under 75 feet, you will qualify for a company’s best rates, such as “Preferred Best” or “Preferred.” In addition, the statistics will indicate that your open water safety will significantly improve under 75 feet.

If you dive deeper than 100 feet, your preferred rates will usually be off the table, and you will then be able to achieve “Standard” rates at best with a limited amount of companies. However, going past 100 feet will also trigger a “flat extra” charge of $2.50 with some insurers.

Can the Way I Dive Affect My Rates?

Here is a list of various forms of scuba diving that the carriers are the most concerned with. These types of scuba diving impose the highest risks.

• Cave diving
• Ice diving
• Wreck diving
• Deep water diving (over 200 feet)
• Commercial diving
• Rescue diving
• Salvage diving

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If you dive in lakes, rivers, and rock quarries for pleasure, your risks are minimal, and typically, there is no extra cost associated with scuba diving rates.

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Should You Reveal the Facts You Dive in Your Application?

The most crucial part of applying is always telling the truth.

As with any insurance application, you should always be 100% truthful, not just for life insurance. However, the last mistake you want to make is not truthfully answering every question. Failing to inform your insurance company could result in a declined death claim and your beneficiary being S.O.L. 

Scuba Certification and Diver Training 

The first important factor is the training and certification of the diver. Remember that you must be certified by one of the three agencies to get your tank refilled with compressed air. Classroom instruction with written exams and open-water testing is mandatory for a certified scuba diver. In addition, your safety underwater depends on your knowledge of the sport. Usually not being certified will typically result in an automatic decline in coverage.

Life insurance companies look for this, just like your driving classes’ first rules of thumb. Always make sure you always dive in with an experienced buddy. Never go into the water if you do not feel good or are under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A simple sinus problem can cause a significant issue equalizing the pressure in your ears underwater.

Here are the three leading scuba divers certification organizations:

NAUI:

NAUI stands for the National Association of Underwater Instructors, the organization I belong to. If you plan on traveling anywhere in the world scuba diving, NAUI is accepted worldwide. This is very important to ensure that your certification will gladly be taken in whatever water you dive in. Here is how to join the NAUI organization.

PADI:

PADI stands for the Professional Association of Diving Instructors and is an excellent avenue to achieving your scuba diving certification. This is one of the most popular organizations for scuba divers you can belong to. You will learn what you need to know, from the basics of equipment to open water dives. Learn more about how to join PADI and get scuba certified.

S.S.I.:

S.S.I. stands for Scuba Schools International and has been in business for more than 45 years. S.S.I. is another excellent choice to consider and learn how to scuba dive safely and have fun doing it. Learn more about how to join S.S.I. and get properly certified.

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Learning how to become a scuba diver revolves around your knowledge and training. Get as much training as possible to deduce your risk factors in the water. The most serious risk you will ever have is panicking if you get into a challenging situation such as an injury or an air supply issue.

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Do You Dive Commercially or Recreationally?

Life insurance for commercial divers always costs more due to the extensive risks taken.

There is a big difference in the risk between a recreational diver and a professional diver that dives for money. Commercial divers usually take scuba diving regularly, unlike recreational divers, that go diving periodically on weekends.

Commercial divers typically dive a lot deeper and also stay down longer. In addition, many commercial divers breathe mixed gasses instead of air due to Nitrogen Narcosis.

If you dive commercially, inform your agent immediately because this is an essential rating factor. We find that most people dive into local lakes and rivers periodically. This dramatically reduces the risk of having an underwater accident. Scuba diver life insurance quotes will always be less for recreational divers than commercial divers.

How Can I Find the Best Life Insurance Rates?

Finding the best rates is very simple, and it won’t involve any work on your part at all. The only job you will have is connecting with an experienced independent agent like ourselves. Especially one that specializes in life insurance just as we do.

We will ask you simple questions and begin shopping the market for the best rates. This is part of their job, and the good part is there is no cost or obligation for their service.

If you have any health conditions, a quick 5 minute medical prescreen is recommended to ensure no surprises after you begin your application. The application process is also straightforward, and we walk all our clients through every step.

 

What Are the Best Types of Life Insurance? 

Term Life Insurance:

Low-cost term life insurance is the most commonly purchased life insurance in the United States. Term life insurance covers a specific period before it terminates on the policy’s anniversary. You can call this a temporary form of life insurance. It can vary from 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30-year intervals. Once these periods have occurred, the policy is no longer active. Due to the limited periods on these policies, they are the least expensive life insurance option.

Since nobody knows what the future has in store for us, it is good to apply for the most extended term period available. Term life insurance has the best life insurance rates of all plan designs. Banner Life Insurance company has introduced a new 35-year and 40-year term product. You will find that a conventional term policy will always provide, by far, the lowest scuba diver’s quotes.

Universal Life: 

Universal Life has permanent coverage and is a modern-day, cost-effective replacement for expensive Whole Life plan designs.

Universal life insurance has a premium that remains the same for the policy’s lifetime. As long as the payments are being paid, the premium never changes. The insured will still be covered under the terms of the policy. Universal Life has taken over as the go-to policy designed for people who want permanent coverage.

Purchasing life insurance designed to last the rest of your life gives you total peace of mind and protection. Universal Life insurance is a product you should consider because it never leaves any gaps in coverage as term insurance can. You can also combine terms along with universal life.

 

No Medical Exam Life Insurance:

No medical exam life insurance is OK for healthy people, but it does cost a little more.

Very few people like to take a physical exam when applying for life insurance. Also, some folks need their insurance as soon as possible. No medical exam life insurance might be the answer in these cases. This type of insurance does not require a medical exam, and some companies will approve an application within 24 hours.

These plan designs usually cost more than the plans with complete underwriting requirements. However, in some cases, it might cost less to have a non-med policy than a conventional one. But again, your agent can make this judgment call and recommend the best route.

 

The Best Rates Will Depend on These Answers

These are the most important questions you will find on your application.

Here are the essential factors that carriers consider when underwriting an application for a Scuba Diver. Here is a list of these crucial questions the underwriters will want answered.

• Are you a certified scuba diver (this will be mandatory)?
• How many dives per year do you complete?
• How deep do you usually dive? 
• Do you cave, wreck, ice, or salvage dive?
• Do you perform any rescue dives or dive for hire?

 

What Are the Best Life Insurance Companies for Scuba Divers?

Naturally, scuba divers will seek the lowest life insurance rates possible. This is where the agent comes into play to shop the market for them. Here are just some of the companies with the best rates for scuba divers:

• Lincoln Financial
• Banner Life
• Cincinnati Life
• Mutual of Omaha
• A.I.G. American General
• John Hancock
• Prudential
• Protective Life

If you only drive occasionally and in shallow waters, you should find the best affordable life insurance rates. This is because the risk is significantly reduced compared to a professional scuba diver. Professionals dive to earn an income, placing this person in a higher risk class.

A professional diver that dives daily will have a better chance of being injured or killed underwater. Certification as an instructor or advanced diver will help lower your premiums with many companies. Getting the best rates depends on how safe your driving habits are and formal training.

How Can I Compare Life Insurance Quotes for Scuba Divers? 

The rates can vary from one person to another based on your specific activities in the sport. Feel free to use our website quoting system on the right side of this page or our instant quote comparison page. You can see the many choices and get a general idea of how much your life insurance would cost. We work with over 40 of the best life insurance companies. One important point to remember is that all carriers underwrite their applications differently from one another.

We can recommend a company that would be the best choice for your situation. They will consider your health history, height, weight, tobacco use, age, and several other types of information. 

 

How Can I be Sure I’m Getting the Best Rates?

Getting the very lowest rates will depend quite a bit on your agent and how much effort is placed into shopping the market. Choosing the most applicable company for your specific needs and underwriting information will make all the difference in the world.

You can’t just choose a carrier at random. Each application will have that one company that will return with the best rates. We shop in the market extensively for every applicant because our reputation depends on it. You can instantly compare all the best life insurance quotes for scuba divers on our instant quoting system.

 

 State Laws Regulate All Life Insurance Rates

Life insurance rates do not fluctuate between agents and brokers for the same products.

If there is one good tip I could give you, this is it. Life insurance rates are regulated by law! This means that all life insurance rates are the same for the same product regardless of who you buy it from. This is about life insurance products from the same insurance company and plan design.

Many people bounce from website to website, shopping for the lowest rates only to look at the same rates on multiple website quote engines. Click on the link above or call your state’s Department of Insurance for verification.

Can I Buy Life Insurance for Scuba Divers With No Medical Exam? 

Yes, you can; these plan designs are called Non-Med or no medical exam life insurance policies. This means you do not have to take a physical exam. Many people want life insurance but get nervous about an exam, especially with a blood test. Blood tests are usually the part people dislike the most, preventing people from applying for life insurance altogether.

Stop worrying because there is an easy way out if you fall into this category. No medical exam life insurance policies may be just the right plan design for you, and these plans can have approval times in less than 24 hours, which is a fraction of the time for fully underwritten plans.

 

What Are the Benefits of Applying Over the Telephone?

There is no easier way to apply than over the telephone.

You usually have three different ways to apply for scuba diver life insurance. The first is the paper application; the second is the online application. The third and best way is to apply over the telephone.

Applying over the phone is simple; it takes much less time and gives you the advantage of explaining your answers if needed.

Typical life insurance for scuba divers telephone applications can take approximately 15-20 minutes. After that, you have to answer a few questions, and your agent performs all the other work.

 

Great Hotspots for Scuba Diving in Florida

Great hotspots have nothing to do with life insurance for scuba diving, but I wanted to pass this information along. It would be incredible if you ever had the opportunity to scuba dive in Florida. Florida scuba diving is just about a second to none. Here are some great Florida hotspots to visit:

1. For Excellent Snorkeling – Check out Dry Tortugas Park, which is close to Key West, Florida
2. Check out Manatee – Located in Crystal River, Florida
3. View Natural Springs – In Ginnie Springs, Florida
4. Super Cave Diving – Located in Devil’s Den and Blue Grotto, Florida
5. Swim With Sea Turtles – West Palm Beach, Florida
6. Find Prehistoric Shark Teeth – Venice Beach, Florida
7. Dive into Artificial Reefs – Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Florida
8. Dive into the Living Reefs – Looe Key, Florida
9. Fantastic Wreck Diving – Key Largo, Florida
10. The U.S. Navy Wreck Diving – Battleships & Aircraft Carriers in Pensacola, Destin & Panama City, Florida

In Conclusion

As mentioned at the beginning of this blog post, connect with an experienced independent agent like ourselves, and we will perform all the leg work for you at no cost or obligation. Finding the best rates from all the top-rated companies is simple when you do it every day as we do. 

Don’t hesitate to call us seven days a week and get your questions answered right away. If you thought applying for life insurance for scuba divers was difficult or expensive, don’t give it another thought. Happy diving and most of all, dive safe!

All the best,
Jack Venturi
708-334-6226

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If you have any questions concerning life insurance for scuba divers or anything else, contact us today, and we will help you without any cost or obligation. Remember that we are brokers and work for our clients, not insurance companies. We will help you get approved for the best policy with the lowest rates. You can also set up a time at your convenience to talk.  

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