Dive Insurance: Do You Really Need It?
Not necessarily. You can choose not to buy it—and then pray you never have an accident.
Just kidding. But if you're asking whether it's worth buying, the answer is very clear: yes, and it's a must. Treating one case of decompression sickness could cost as much as ten of your dive trips combined. And standard travel insurance does not cover diving.
Why doesn't standard travel insurance cover diving?
Because insurers list diving as a "high-risk sport".
Look at the exclusions in your travel insurance policy, and you will most likely find wording like this: "Losses caused by taking part in high-risk sports such as diving, skydiving, and rock climbing are not covered." The risk of shallow-water blackout (BO), which is specific to freediving, is even further outside the scope of coverage.
Key difference: standard accident insurance vs. specialized dive insurance
Comparison | Standard travel insurance | Specialized dive insurance |
|---|---|---|
Diving accidents | ❌ Usually excluded | ✅ Covered |
Hyperbaric chamber treatment | ❌ Not covered | ✅ Covered (core coverage) |
Emergency medical transport | ⚠️ General accidents only | ✅ Diving-related cases covered |
Shallow-water blackout (BO) | ❌ Not covered | ✅ Usually covered |
Common dive insurance brands compared
DAN (Divers Alert Network)
DAN is not an insurance company. It is a diving safety organization. But its insurance products are the most widely recognized choice among divers worldwide.
Core coverage: decompression sickness treatment, hyperbaric chamber costs, emergency medical transport, global rescue services
Cost reference: about CNY 1,080 per year; about CNY 30 per day
Advantages: an established global rescue network, explicit coverage for freediving, no limit on the number of dives
Who it suits: users in China (Chinese-language customer service), and divers whose number of dives each year varies
⚠️ Key confirmation: Confirmed with DAN's official Chinese-language customer service—
DAN's Standard plan costs CNY 1,080 per year and explicitly covers recreational freediving and scuba diving to a depth of ≤40 m. It can be used for mainstream courses such as AIDA and PADI.
It does not cover depth training or competitive freediving deeper than 40 m.
Daily plans do not cover freediving. Freedivers are advised to choose an annual plan.
DAN's Sport Platinum/Gold plans can cover freediving to a depth of ≤40 m.
Technical diving and cave diving are generally not covered, or require separate confirmation.
DiveAssure
DiveAssure is another internationally recognized dive insurance brand.
Core coverage: medical costs, emergency evacuation, dive equipment loss
Cost reference: paid per trip or per year; prices are close to DAN
Advantages: no depth limit, and support for advanced activities such as technical diving and rebreathers
Who it suits: freedivers or technical divers who regularly dive to greater depths (>40 m)
⚠️ Important clarification: DiveAssure's specific depth terms depend on the plan details. Its annual Explorer plan can cover recreational diving and technical diving to a maximum depth of 50 m (up to 100 m for technical diving), and it is recommended for depth-training athletes. Note: DiveAssure's official website clearly groups decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism (AGE) under a single "diving accident" coverage limit, rather than paying per condition; claims are assessed on the basis of medical necessity.
Other options
Besides DAN and DiveAssure, some insurers also offer specialized dive coverage:
AIG (Meiya Insurance): some travel insurance products can add dive coverage as a rider, but you need to check carefully whether freediving and BO risk are covered.
Local diving associations: diving associations in some countries and regions provide group insurance for members. You can ask your local freediving organization.
How to choose? One table explains it
Comparison | DAN | DiveAssure |
|---|---|---|
Freediving covered | ✅ Explicitly covered (≤40 m) | ✅ Explicitly covered (max. 50–100 m, depending on the plan) |
Depth limit | Standard plan ≤40 m | Depends on the plan (up to 100 m) |
Global rescue network | ✅ Established | ✅ Established |
Chinese-language service | ✅ Available | ❌ Mainly English |
Daily purchase | ⚠️ Daily plans do not cover freediving | ✅ Available |
Technical diving/cave diving | ❌ Generally not covered | ✅ Can be covered |
Hyperbaric chamber coverage | ✅ Core coverage | ✅ Core coverage |
My recommendations
Users in China, recreational freediving (≤40 m): DAN China. Easy to buy, Chinese-language service, and sufficient.
Depth freedivers (>40 m) or technical divers: DiveAssure. Broader coverage.
Try-dive customers who dive only once or twice a year: DAN's annual plan is relatively the best value—because daily plans do not cover freediving, we suggest buying the annual plan directly for year-round peace of mind.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can DAN insurance be used in China?
Yes. DAN China has built a partner network in the country. In an emergency, just call the rescue hotline.
Q: Is the dive coverage added to travel insurance enough?
Usually not. The limits are low, the coverage is narrow, and many riders do not cover freediving. We recommend buying specialized dive insurance separately.
Q: Does insurance cover snorkeling?
Most dive insurance covers snorkeling, but you should confirm the specific terms.
Q: Once I have insurance, can I dive however I want?
No. Insurance is coverage after the fact. It cannot replace safety training. Following freediving safety rules matters more than any insurance.
Q: What is the coverage period for DAN's freediving course coverage?
DAN's Diver protection plans (Standard/Preferred) have a coverage period of 1 year, and they also apply during courses (such as AIDA Level 2), as long as the depth is ≤40 m and the purpose is recreational freediving. If the course involves training or competitions deeper than 40 m, you need to consult DAN separately to confirm whether coverage can be extended.
Summary
Your situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
Recreational freediving (≤40 m), diving occasionally | DAN annual Standard plan (¥1080/year) |
Recreational freediving, several times a year | DAN annual Standard/Preferred plan |
Depth training (>40 m) or technical diving | DiveAssure annual Explorer plan |
A one-time try dive | Daily plans are not recommended (DAN daily plans do not cover freediving). You can ask about DiveAssure daily plans or short-term options from a local dive shop. |
Buy the DAN Standard plan and you won't go wrong. For greater depths, switch to DiveAssure.