I know the certification limit for OW divers under SEI guidelines is what they carried over from the YMCA Program. An OW diver IS certified to the sport diving limit of 100 feet. It is RECOMMENDED that they build up to that over time but it is clear in the standards that the limit of their certification is 100 feet.
This below is horsecrap and sounds like the kind of bull that some agencies pull on instructors who observe the standards of those agencies then get tossed under the bus when the crap hits the fan and someone gets hurt or killed.
"Hello,
Divers who are covered under our programs are covered for diving accidents as long as they dive according to the guidelines and restrictions for their certification level. Our programs do not have any depth limits, however, in order for coverage to apply, the diver must not go deeper than he or she is certified to dive."
^^^^WTH does this mean?^^^^ That is just so much stupidity in one sentence that it boggles my mind. But it does illustrate why insurance companies can be a cancer on society if they choose to be.
"You are welcome to contact our support team and we will be happy to provide you with all the information about our programs. The full terms and conditions of all of our programs are also available on our website."
Thank you,
DiveAssure
Toll free: +1-866-898-0921 ex.2
Seems that what they have with this is an out. One that the insurance agency can use to screw you over if they decide that they do not like the limits of the agency you were certed under or the payout is too damn big and decide to use those of another. What happens when some butthead of a DM or guide leads a group of divers beyond those limits?
My own personal feeling is that divers can do whatever the hell they want. ON THEIR OWN. BUT, if you are a supposed pro and leading a group of divers as a pro, then you should observe the same limits that would apply if it was a training dive. Otherwise give up the pro rating and the fee for guiding them.
This kind of CYA by them is why it's stupid to go with anything other than DAN.