Diving and Life Insurance

[Scubanoobi]

Hi Folks,

I read through some threads on SB but didn't find any directly related to my situation so here goes.

I took out a life insurance policy in 2009 and another larger one in 2010. At the time scuba diving was not even on my radar. I got certified about 6 months after taking out the second policy. Recently I asked the insurance company about my coverage for scuba, and they said I had to fill out the "scuba diving questionnaire" which I did and sent back to them. I'm just waiting for their response. This is completely recreational (less than 100 feet) diving, and I'm worried that either my rates will go up significantly or they will cancel it. I have put diving on hold until this gets resolved.

Answering the questions honestly I checked "Wreck Diving" and made a note about "NO PENETRATION", not sure if the person evaluating this will see this as a risk because I checked it.

Given that I've already had the policies before scuba diving what is the likely outcome? Both policies were less than two years old when I got certified.

Any insurance experts here that can chime in?

 

[fjpatrum]

There've actually been several threads about this. Most folks find that as long as they stay within recreational limits and aren't doing tech dives or penetrations that their insurance pretty much stays the same. I'm no expert though, so wait and see what your insurance says. If you don't like their answer, change providers.

 

[iluvtheocean]

from what my advisor told me, as long as don't want to do wreck pentrations or a lot of deep dives, shouldn't worry -- insurance was more worried about cave & deep than anything. I actually got a better rate than my wife who is a non-diver but

 

[ScubaSteve]

I was told that because I dive a lot (frequently) and to maximum recreational depths, that my insurance is limited to ZERO if I am to die while diving. Kind of sucks to be my dive buddy because part of my pre-dive brief is explaining that if I die diving that they have to take my gear off me, put me in my car and push it into the water .

 

[Superlyte27]

Your policy was in force prior to the activity. You are covered. If you have questions call me 4073049288. I am an insurance expert.

 

[Scubanoobi]

Thanks for the offer Superlyte, I may do that depending on their response to the questionnaire, maybe I'm just overreacting... I hope so.

 

[Superlyte27]

I was told that because I dive a lot (frequently) and to maximum recreational depths, that my insurance is limited to ZERO if I am to die while diving. Kind of sucks to be my dive buddy because part of my pre-dive brief is explaining that if I die diving that they have to take my gear off me, put me in my car and push it into the water .

I doubt it, unless an exclusion for diving was written into the policy (illegal in some states) they have to pay if you die. Even while diving.

 

[redacted]

Your policy was in force prior to the activity. You are covered. If you have questions call me 4073049288. I am an insurance expert.

I can see where USA insurance regulations seem to require that, particularly with changing health conditions, but the OP is from Canada.

 

[kendallpg]

Your policy was in force prior to the activity. You are covered. If you have questions call me 4073049288. I am an insurance expert.

I agree COMPLETELY with Superlyte27. As long as you told the truth on the application, what you decide to do later(get scuba certified) shouldn't apply to the policy already in force. I am also an Insurance Expert.

I just noticed that you are in Canada, and the laws in Canada may be different regarding Life Insurance. My response is based on the laws of the US and the State of Indiana.

 

[Superlyte27]

from what my advisor told me, as long as don't want to do wreck pentrations or a lot of deep dives, shouldn't worry -- insurance was more worried about cave & deep than anything. I actually got a better rate than my wife who is a non-diver but

Guys, if you wrote a policy X amount of years ago, then started diving AFTER the policy was in force, and there was not a specific exclusion for SCUBA, it doesn't matter if you die trying to have sex with a shark, in a cave in full bondage attire and sex toys. The insurance company has to pay. Seriously if you need real advice on this stuff, just call or email me. Don't be misled and don't be screwed. There's lots of shady companies out there.

---------- Post Merged at 02:05 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 02:03 PM ----------

Thanks for the offer Superlyte, I may do that depending on their response to the questionnaire, maybe I'm just overreacting... I hope so.

Scubanoobi, if your policy is already in force, you don't have to submit anything. Don't let them re-write your policy. Don't sign anything. Your rating is based on your lifestyle at the time you contracted. What happens after that contracted period has no affect. Don't let them talk you into re-writing.