Life insurance and freediving

[gbo200]

I have just discovered that I can not get life insurance cover due to my past competitive freediving history. I disclosed in an application that I freedive and spearfish on the odd weekend. The insurer then Googled me and discovered my nefarious competitive past and is basically refusing cover. They were even saying they would like a statement from me stating I would not exceed certain depths! Like I want to be thinking about my life cover while in the water!

I need life cover. I have two small little mermaids and one big one that would be in financial difficulty should I get hit by a bus.

Has this happened to anyone else? Any freedivers out there with actual life cover? If so, who did you get it through? Did you disclose your freediving?

Help!

g.

 

[fjohnson]

well, the questionaire said "scuba diving" or "skin diving"... not "freediving" or "extreme snorkeling"........... so

 

[cdavis]

I've disclosed free diving several times for various health and life insurance. Sometimes they are interested in scuba diving, but freediving did not seem to compute, they weren't interested. Disclose depths and some disbelieving looks appeared, but it still had no effect on the application. I'd suggest you try another insurer, they can be quite different.

If you still have trouble, you might be able to argue with them. Outside of no-limits, competitive freediving's safety record is perfect as far a fatalities are concerned. Several DBers, me included, have had to argue with pool managers who wanted to prohibit apnea practice. Good info goes a long way toward calming ignorance and fear. Lots of ammunition out there if you need it.

Good luck

Connor

 

[Tahoe Diver]

Hey there,

I'm an insurance agent and I echo what was just said: you should try another insurer. Most companies add a surcharge or just won't give you preferred rates if you SCUBA dive; they don't care about skin diving/snorkeling/freediving. There is kind of a freediving loop hole within the underwriting for the average policy because SCUBA diving is understood, but freediving is not.

A simple rule for filling out applications: don't elaborate! If the question deals with SCUBA, and you never SCUBA dive, then it's a non-issue. There isn't yet a stupidity clause within life insurance policies, so insurers must think that large groups of people aren't stupid enough to freedive to a dangerous depth. Little do they know...

Good luck!

 

[Jon]

When I got mine I told them I had given up scuba diving for Snorkeling. They gave me a policy, but not the lowest rate since they wanted me to be "tank free" for at least one year. Snorkeling wasn't an issue and they didn't ask me how deep I go when I snorkle so I didn't offer.

The "snorkeling" line works out well for other areas too. I get out of paying for entry fees into dive lakes since I am just "snorkeling" all the time.

The insurance guy told me that after the policy is two years old it doesn't matter how you die, even suicide is ok :duh , they will pay off the policy.

Jon

 

[Donna]

Hi George,

I have life cover which I set up myself, via a UK company (I am a broker) - they stung me a bit because I scuba dive, but that was the only loading they put on the premium. Let me know if you want any paperwork and I'll email you some info...

Donna

 

[Haydn]

Why not just tell them you snorkel and freedive in the notes. If insurers look into your claim and find you were freediving, they will very quickly understand that freediving is not the same as snorkelling. Insurers may try not to settle because they often ask if there are any other points you wish to add on the application form. There will be a litigation battle over disclosure if insurers think you had the 'opportunity' to disclose freediving and simply hoped to hide the activity under snorkelling.

The thing is, if you want life insurance its because you require financial benefits if you die. Your family will be very angry with you if they have a fight on their hands because you were 'evasive' in buying your policy. Remember, there will be a body to bring home and your travel insurance may not cover the cost if they smell a rat. Dont make your berieved family feel they might have to 'lie' on their claim form.

Buy a good policy and freedive in peace.

 

[Stephan Whelan]

I agree with you Haydn.

Insurers are always looking for ways to get out of paying, especially potentially expensive claims like Life Insurance.

I would suggest that anyone trying to shop for insurance looks around and makes sure that the insurer knows you freedive and snorkel. Some insurers will not want to touch you with a barge pole. Others will want supporting evidence and some will probably be ok with it.

Insurers that know about FreeDiving are likely to want to charge high premiums though as it is classed as an "extreme sport" in risk management circles.

 

[Freediver81]

hello gbo200!

I would advise you to maybe ask them to issue the insurance for you without coverage for death caused by diving accident!
For diving accidents you could have a diving insurance!

Said
(lawyer)