Direct line insurance - does it cover diving?

[danp]

direct line insurance had a confusing exclusion clause:


"diving, including but not limited to cave diving, diving with sharks, high diving, SCUBA diving (any form of underwater swimming or sub-aqua activity below a depth of 30 metres or any underwater breathing equipment except a snorkel, unless you’re a qualified diver or you’re accompanied by a qualified instructor);"


Sounds like I'm covered, provided I am qualified or accompanied.

Can anyone with a sharp legal mind give a second opinion?

Thanks

Dan

Edit: forgot to mention that it was travel insurance.

[Iain Smith]

If you intend to rely on your insurance, surely you're better asking Direct Line the specific question and getting the answer in writing than relying on the opinion of someone you have spoken to on the internet.

I.

[danp]

Insurance companies don't normally like to put things in writing. They will just tell you to read the policy.

Someone on here must have tried to claim off direct line.

[Chrisch]

Insurance companies don't normally like to put things in writing. They will just tell you to read the policy.

Someone on here must have tried to claim off direct line.

What insurance are we talking about? Life? Do you have to be dead to claim? If so I think you will not get a reply :D

[Cheeky Monkey]

direct line insurance had a confusing exclusion clause:



Sounds like I'm covered, provided I am qualified or accompanied.

Can anyone with a sharp legal mind give a second opinion?

Thanks

Dan

Edit: forgot to mention that it was travel insurance.

what does the clause say ?

also - the first question is what clause of the policy do you think covers you in the first place, and what for

worrying about an exclusion clause only matters if there is a clause that gives cover to start with and you are asking yourself what the limit of that is

[South West Diving]

Insurance companies don't normally like to put things in writing. They will just tell you to read the policy.

Erm, they have put it in writing then

[drysuitdiver]

Erm, they have put it in writing then

Written in best legalese that can be interpreted 2 ways of course, that your average person won't have a clue how to interpret what the insurance company mean.


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[danp]

what does the clause say ?

also - the first question is what clause of the policy do you think covers you in the first place, and what for

worrying about an exclusion clause only matters if there is a clause that gives cover to start with and you are asking yourself what the limit of that is

Travel insurance covers medical expenses, repatriation in an emergency, but excludes certain situations, such as the one I listed.

[scottishscuba]

unless you copy out the clause in the policy, you're not going to get an answer. I find the best thing to do is to call the insurer and ask them.

[danp]

unless you copy out the clause in the policy, you're not going to get an answer. I find the best thing to do is to call the insurer and ask them.

Somehow, my original post lost the clause wording. Now put back in.

[danp]

Called direct line, and they confirmed that diving was covered, and will send me a letter to confirm. Result!

[Allan Carr]

Although ordinary travel insurance may cover diving, when we go to out of the way places, I prefer to have DAN Insurance as well. Ordinary travel insurance may cover costs but DAN will take over and project manage the whole treatment in the event of an incident which ensures the most effective course of treatment. I do worry that some of the third world locations are not set up to handle diving emergencies.

[scottishscuba]

I read that as diving to 30m if you are a qualified diver is OK. I used to rely on travel insurance for diving but as I've become a more keen and prolific diver, I pay for DAN.

[chas49]

I read that as diving to 30m if you are a qualified diver is OK. I used to rely on travel insurance for diving but as I've become a more keen and prolific diver, I pay for DAN.

The text in the OP is part of the exclusions.

It says - in effect - diving is not covered.

Then it says what diving is. One of the definitions is Scuba diving. It goes on to define Scuba as any underwater activity below 30 meters, unless you're qualified or accompanied by an instructor.

This appears to mean you can dive to 29 metres even if you're not qualified. This seems unlikely! In my (unqualified) view, the clause is badly written - which in effect is what the OP is concerned about. Getting a letter explaining what it means is unlikely to help, as there's bound to be a clause that says that the policy terms are what applies.

Far better to take out cover with an insurer whose terms can be understood.

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[Iain Smith]

Called direct line, and they confirmed that diving was covered, and will send me a letter to confirm. Result!

So...um...post two on the thread? :D

[divingtheark]

I have just had a similar question with Nationwide (who give free insurance under their flex plus account). They did not exclude scuba diving but then decided to change the policy from November to cover only to 18m!!!

Having spoken to them and written via their online contact they have said it was a mistake and have confirmed 30m - and given me a £50 cash sum for my trouble. How nice of them. The formal paperwork has not changed yet (the online info does not mention scuba as an exclusion) but I got a letter from them confirming cover.

I support the other views - talk to them or write. DAN cover is also a good suggestion.

I do work in the industry and the clause mentioned appears to be misleading - but you cannot read it in isolation you need to see the whole policy. DON'T YOU DARE POST THE WHOLE THING AND ASK FOR COMMENT THOUGH - we would all pass out.

[IanB]

I have just had a similar question with Nationwide (who give free insurance under their flex plus account). They did not exclude scuba diving but then decided to change the policy from November to cover only to 18m!!!

Having spoken to them and written via their online contact they have said it was a mistake and have confirmed 30m - and given me a £50 cash sum for my trouble. How nice of them. The formal paperwork has not changed yet (the online info does not mention scuba as an exclusion) but I got a letter from them confirming cover.

I support the other views - talk to them or write. DAN cover is also a good suggestion.

I do work in the industry and the clause mentioned appears to be misleading - but you cannot read it in isolation you need to see the whole policy. DON'T YOU DARE POST THE WHOLE THING AND ASK FOR COMMENT THOUGH - we would all pass out.
I only noticed after it was pointed out by a friend that the NW policy doesn't cover motorcycling, the cheeky buggers. I'll have to make sure to change to someone else who does now.

Ian on the mobile

[Hotreferee]

Would all the policy's require a medical if say you had mild asthma?


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[sheesh]

The diving with sharks is an interesting one... how close does it have to be? If you don't know it's there until you get in does that count?

[danp]

It's badly worded, but you would have thought it means cage diving with sharks.