Planning to swim with the sharks? Find a travel insurance policy to cover it.
If you’re thinking of going shark cage diving while on holiday, be aware that it is not necessarily covered by your travel insurance policy. Scuba diving itself is an inherently risky activity with certain conditions and restrictions, and potential risks include decompression sickness or nitrogen poisoning, barotrauma and others. Cage diving alone carries its own set of risks. When cage diving with scuba gear, you must in all cases either hold a recognised open water diving licence or be under the supervision of a licensed instructor while in the water. Even then, some insurers will not cover shark cage diving under any circumstances, while others have additional requirements.
- None means the insurer covers shark cage diving with no conditions other than you either holding an open water diving licence or being under licensed instruction while cage diving. Some insurers may also have specific conditions around the open water licence, such as that it was issued in Australia.
- 10m and 30m are depth limits in certain policies that apply to all scuba diving, and not just shark cage diving. Where no depth limit is listed, there is none.
- No cover listed policies do not offer any cover for shark cage diving
- All listed policies, except those with “no cover”, will cover shark cage snorkelling.
Which travel insurance companies cover shark cage diving?
| Brand | Additional conditions that apply | Enquire |
|---|---|---|
 | Diving licence, if applicable, must be recognised in Australia | Get Quote |
 | None | Get Quote |
 | None | Get Quote |
 | None | Get Quote |
 | None | Get Quote |
 | No cover at depths greater than 10m without optional Adventure Pack, for cover up to 30m | Get Quote |
 | No cover | Get Quote |
 | None | |
 | Cover is considered on a case-by-case basis, and you will need to contact Columbus Direct to find out if you can be covered. | Get Quote |
 | None | Get Quote |
 | No cover | Get Quote |
 | No cover without optional shark cage diving extra | Get Quote |
 | None | Get Quote |
 | No cover at depths greater than 30 | Get Quote |
 | No cover at depths greater than 30m | Get Quote |
 | No cover | Get Quote |
 | Instructor must be present, no cover at depths greater than 30m | Get Quote |
 | None | Get Quote |
 | No cover | Get Quote |
 | No cover at depths greater than 30m | Get Quote |
 | No cover at depths greater than 10m | Get Quote |
 | No cover at depths greater than 30m | Get Quote |
 | None | Get Quote |
 | None | Get Quote |
 | None | |
 | None | Get Quote |
 | No cover | Get Quote |
 | None | Get Quote |
 | None | |
 | Must be a commercial operator, no cover at depths greater than 30m | Get Quote |
 | Licence must be recognised in Australia, no cover at depths greater than 10m | Get Quote |
 | Licence must be recognised in Australia, no cover at depths greater than 30m | Get Quote |
 | Licence must be issued in Australia | |
 | Licence must be issued in Australia | Get Quote |
 | None | Get Quote |
Understanding the conditions for shark cage diving travel insurance
To be covered for shark cage diving you must:
- Either hold an open water diving licence, or be under the supervision of a licensed diving professional. If you are holding a licence, Woolworths and WorldCare require that it be issued in Australia, while other insurers specify that the licence must be recognised in Australia.
- Choose an insurer that does not exclude it entirely. Of the listed insurers, Budget Direct, Dodo, InsureandGo, Multitrip and Tick do not cover shark cage diving at all.
- Be within the depth limits. Many insurers will only cover you while diving up to depths of 10m while others go to 30m, and others still have no depth limits at all.
- Be aware of restrictions that may apply to boating, such as needing to be within 10km of shore.
Do I need to tell my insurer that I’m going shark diving?
When signing up for an insurance policy, you have a duty of disclosure. This is a legal obligation to tell the insurer about anything they should reasonably know which increases the risk of insuring you. Typically, you can fulfil your duty of disclosure simply by filling out the forms and answering questions honestly. If you are not sure whether or not you will be covered and it is not clear by reading the PDS, it is always best to disclose the activity you will be participating in.
- If the travel insurance policy does not mention scuba diving or shark diving, then you will specifically need to inform the insurer about your plans.
- If the travel insurance policy does mention scuba or shark diving, then you will not specifically need to tell the insurer about your plans, because the relevant terms and conditions are already built into the policy, and telling the insurer about it changes nothing.
- If the insurer only offers cage diving as an optional extra, then you will naturally need to opt in, and disclose your plans, if you want cover.
You should be able to know exactly how and when your travel insurance policy will cover shark cage diving just by reading the PDS. If not, it may be advisable to specifically raise the issue with your insurer.
Will I pay more for shark cage diving?
The cost of including shark cage diving in your travel insurance policy can vary between insurers. It will either be covered free of charge, covered for an additional premium or excluded altogether.
- Downunder Travel Insurance will only cover shark cage diving at extra cost.
- Boomers Travel Insurance restricts your diving to depths of 10m without purchasing the optional Adventure Pack which extends the depth limit to 30m.
- Budget Direct, Dodo, InsureandGo, Multitrip and Tick do not cover shark cage diving at all.
What to do if you injure yourself overseas
If you need to make a travel insurance claim for injury:
- Your first priority should be to ensure your and other people’s safety, and to get out of immediate danger if necessary.
- Contact your insurer as soon as you are reasonably able. Ideally you’ll have an insurance provider that can pay up-front and can negotiate with the hospital directly. If not, you will typically need to cover the costs yourself and then submit a claims form to the insurer later to get reimbursed for applicable costs.
- Gather and submit any relevant documentation as needed, such as proof of injuries and medical expenses, and send them to the insurer.
Learn more about how to make a successful claim, and how requirements may vary between travel insurance brands, or start comparing policies online if you’re after cover for scuba and shark cage diving.
Compare travel insurance options for shark cage diving
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