As a scuba diving instructor, your job comes with its own set of unique risks and liabilities. It's essential to have insurance coverage that protects you in case of accidents or injuries while teaching scuba diving. That's where scuba instructor insurance comes in.
PADI instructor insurance offers a comprehensive liability insurance policy for scuba instructors. This insurance policy protects you against claims of bodily injury, property damage, and personal injury that may arise during scuba diving instruction.
When it comes to the cost of scuba diving instructor insurance, the price varies depending on a number of factors, such as the level of coverage you choose, your location, and your experience as an instructor.
It's important to note that scuba instructor insurance is not just an optional add-on but a necessity for any professional scuba diving instructor. Without insurance coverage, you could be personally liable for any accidents or injuries during your scuba diving instruction.
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 |
| Products and completed operations aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Advertising injury coverage aggregate limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Tenant’s legal liability coverage limit | $100,000 | $100,000 | $5,000 | $100,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Included | Can be included | No |
| Hired/non-owned auto liability coverage included? | Yes | No | Excluded | Can be included | Can be included |
| Equipment breakdown floater included? | No | Yes | Yes | Can be included | Can be included |
This scuba diving instructors insurance covers damages and injuries caused by your business operations, including instruction and related activities. It can help protect you from financial losses resulting from lawsuits and legal claims brought against your business.
The coverage limits of general liability insurance range from $500,000 to $2 million. Higher limits on this scuba instructor liability insurance are available and may range from $3 million-$5 million.
A student slips and falls on your boat, injuring himself
You accidentally damage a customer's camera equipment while on a dive
A student claims they were injured during a dive lesson and sues you for damages
Add-ons for general liability scuba diving instructor insurance may include:
Equipment rental liability insurance–This PADI dive instructor insurance coverage protects instructors who rent out scuba diving equipment to their clients. This policy covers the instructor if a client is injured or their property is damaged due to a faulty rental item
Participant accident insurance–This insurance covers scuba diving students and clients in case of accidental injury or death during a scuba diving lesson or excursion. It can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs
Marine liability insurance–This coverage protects against damage or injury caused by watercraft used in scuba diving activities, such as boats or dive platforms
Non-owned watercraft liability insurance–This optional dive instructor liability insurance coverage protects instructors against liability for accidents or damage caused by watercraft they do not own but may use during business activities
There is no legal requirement for scuba diving instructors to have general liability insurance. However, many scuba diving organizations and businesses require instructors to have this coverage in order to protect their customers and business operations. It is generally a good idea for scuba diving instructors to have general liability insurance to protect themselves and their business from financial loss due to third-party claims.
| CoverWallet | NEXT | Thimble (Best) | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per occurrence limit | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Name additional insureds? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Waiver of subrogation included? | Yes | No | Yes | Can be included | No |
| HIPAA coverage included? | No | No | No | No | No |
| Sexual misconduct coverage included? | No | No | No | No | Can be included |
| License defense coverage included? | No | No | No | No | Can be included |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $500 | $50/$10,000 | $500 |
Professional liability insurance grants protection against claims for negligence, inaccurate advice, lack of experience, and other errors and omissions you may commit as a scuba instructor. You usually buy this a stand-alone policy. However, some insurance companies offer professional liability insurance as an add-on to general liability insurance.
Public liability insurance for scuba diving instructors provides coverage for claims made against your business for injury or damage caused to a member of the public. This can include coverage for medical expenses, legal fees, and compensation costs.
Generally, coverage limits range from $500,000 to $2 million and may include coverage for medical expenses, property damage, and legal fees.
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | The Hartford | Hiscox | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $340,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $35,000 | $25,000 |
| Contents coverage limit (minimum) | $50,000 | $35,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $35,000 | $15,000 |
| Outdoor signs | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Included |
| Accounts receivable | Excluded | Excluded | $5,000/$10,000 | Excluded | Included |
| Money and securities | Excluded | $2,500 | $1,000 | Excluded | Included |
| Lock and keys | Excluded | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded | Included |
| Business interruption floater | Excluded | Included | Included | Excluded | Included |
| Equipment breakdown floater | Excluded | Included | Excluded | Excluded | Included |
| Inland marine insurance floater | Excluded | Excluded | $10,000 | Excluded | Excluded |
| Employee dishonesty floater | Excluded | $5,000 | $2,500 | Excluded | Excluded |
Commercial property insurance for scuba diving instructors is a type of insurance that provides coverage for the physical assets of your business, such as your equipment, tools, and buildings. This can include coverage for damage or loss caused by natural disasters, theft, fire, or vandalism.
Typically, coverage limits range from $100,000 to $1 million or more, depending on the size and value of the insured commercial property.
Fire or smoke damage–If a fire or smoke damage occurs, this insurance can help cover repairing or replacing damaged property, such as diving equipment, tanks, compressors, and other assets
Theft or vandalism–If scuba diving equipment or other property is stolen or vandalized, this insurance policy can help cover the replacement cost
Water damage–If water damage occurs due to a leaky roof or plumbing issue, this insurance policy can help cover the cost of repairs or replacement of damaged property
Business interruption insurance–This add-on can cover lost income and expenses if a covered peril causes a temporary shutdown of the business
Equipment breakdown insurance–This add-on can help cover the cost of repairs or replacement of specialized diving equipment, such as compressors or dive tanks, in case of a mechanical breakdown
It may depend on the policy and the specific circumstances. Commercial property insurance may cover damage to rental property used for scuba diving lessons if a covered peril, such as a natural disaster or upset, caused the damage.
| CoverWallet | NEXT (Best) | Thimble | The Hartford | Hiscox | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General liability aggregate limit | $2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $1,000,000/$2,000,000 | $300,000/$2,000,000 |
| Commercial property coverage limit | $50,000 | $320,000 | $25,000/$500,000 | $35,000 | $75,000 |
| Optional policies can be added? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Name additional insureds for free? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BOP discount? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
A business owner's policy (BOP) is an inclusion in scuba diving instructors insurance that combines several types of insurance coverage, such as general liability, commercial property, and business interruption insurance. A BOP can help in a variety of situations, including:
If the instructor's business operations are interrupted due to a covered event, such as a fire or natural disaster, BOP can cover lost income and extra expenses incurred during the interruption
If a third party is injured or suffers property damage due to the instructor's business operations, BOP can provide coverage for the resulting liability claims
The limit of the liability coverage may range from $1 million to $2 million. On the other hand, the property coverage of the BOP is $25,000-$50,000.
Some common add-ons or endorsements for business owner’s policy for scuba diving instructors are:
Outdoor property coverage–This endorsement provides coverage for outside property, such as diving equipment or boats, that may not be covered under a standard BOP
Crime insurance–This add-on provides coverage for losses due to employee theft, forgery, or other criminal activities
| NEXT | Thimble | Hiscox | The Hartford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregate limit | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | $15,000/$25,000 | $5,000-$10,000 |
| Covers hired and borrowed equipment? | $3,000/$10,000 | $2,500/$5,000 | No | Yes |
| Miscellaneous equipment also covered? | $5,000/$10,000 | No | Yes | Yes |
| Offered as an endorsement to general liability insurance? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Deductible | $500 | $500 | $0 | $0 |
Tools and equipment insurance is a specialized insurance policy designed to cover loss or damage to tools and equipment used in a business or trade. Tools and equipment insurance can help in a variety of situations, including:
Theft–If tools or equipment are stolen, this insurance policy can help cover the cost of replacement or repair
Accidental damage–If tools or equipment are accidentally damaged, this insurance policy can help cover the cost of repair or replacement
Natural disasters–If tools or equipment are damaged or lost due to natural disasters such as lightning, hurricanes, or water damage, this insurance policy can help cover the cost of replacement or repair
Most policies offer coverage limits that range from a few thousand dollars up to $100,000 or more, depending on the value of your equipment.
Inland marine coverage–This addon can provide coverage for tools and equipment that are in transit or be used off-site
Tools and equipment insurance can provide leased or rented equipment coverage, as long as the equipment is listed on the insurance policy. Business owners should inform their insurance provider about any leased or rented equipment to ensure they have sufficient coverage in the event of a loss.
Boat insurance for scuba diving instructors is a type of insurance policy designed to provide coverage for boats used. This insurance is designed to provide financial protection against unexpected losses or damages that may arise while operating a boat for scuba diving instruction purposes. Coverage options for boat insurance for scuba diving instructors may include:
Liability coverage–This coverage protects in case of property damage or injury to a third party due to an accident or mishap during scuba diving instruction
Hull coverage–This coverage protects the boat and equipment against damage from accidents, theft, vandalism, and other types of physical damage
Medical payments–This coverage provides medical payments to the instructor and passengers if injured while on the boat
This type of insurance policy is designed to provide financial protection to employees who suffer work-related injuries or illnesses while working as scuba diving instructors. This policy can cover the cost of hospitalization, lost wages, medication, rehabilitation costs, and death benefits. Workers compensation insurance for scuba diving instructors can help in various situations, accidents, or incidents such as:
Decompression sickness, also known as "the bends," can occur when divers ascend too quickly, causing nitrogen bubbles in the bloodstream
If an instructor or employee suffers a fatal accident while teaching or assisting in scuba diving
If the equipment used by instructors or employees malfunctions, resulting in injury or illness
To file a claim with workers compensation, the injured employee should notify their employer immediately after the injury or illness. The employer should then file a claim with their insurance provider, who will investigate the claim and determine if the injury or illness is covered under the policy. If the claim is approved, the insurance provider will provide the necessary medical care and compensation to the injured employee.
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Deductible | |
|---|---|---|---|
| General liability insurance | $42 | $504 | $0-$500 |
| Professional liability insurance | $50 | $600 | $500-$1,000 |
| Commercial property insurance | $67 | $804 | $1,000-$2,000 |
| Business owner's policy | $109 | $1,308 | $500-$1,000 |
| Workers compensation insurance | $83 | $996 | $500-$1,000 |
| Boat insurance | $125 | $1,500 | $500-$1,000 |
The average PADI instructor insurance cost is $42 per month or $504 per year for a $1 million general liability coverage. Factors that affect the cost of premiums are claims history, business history, policy limits, deductibles, and annual revenues. Here’s another table showing the cost of $1 million general liability insurance from companies we recommend:
| Cost per Month | Cost per Year | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEXT | $30 | $360 | Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for scuba diving instructors |
| The Hartford | $33 | $396 | Underwriting expertise on scuba instructor workers comp insurance |
| CoverWallet | $35 | $420 | Comparing scuba diving instructor insurance quotes online |
| Thimble | $40 | $480 | Independent freelancers looking for short-term insurance coverage |
| Hiscox | $50 | $600 | Medium-sized scuba diving businesses with diverse insurance needs |
| Tivly | $50 | $600 | Comparing scuba diving instructor insurance quotes online |
Get all the best quotes from leading providers in a click of a button!
When finding the best insurance for scuba diving instructors, there are several companies to consider. We have reviewed some of the top providers in the industry. Read some of the reviews below to know their pros, cons, and average rate for a $1 million general liability coverage.
Transparent pricing–NEXT provides transparent pricing so you can understand exactly what you're paying for
Ability to customize coverage limits–You can adjust your coverage limits to match your specific needs and budget
Easy payment options–NEXT offers a variety of payment options, including monthly payment plans, to make it easier to manage your insurance costs
No cancellation fees–NEXT doesn't charge fees for canceling your policy, giving you more flexibility
Couldn’t find any
NEXT Insurance was founded in 2015 with the aim of providing affordable and customized insurance policies for small businesses via an online platform. They achieved this by investing significantly in technology to directly sell and underwrite small business insurance policies online, eliminating the need for intermediaries and lowering costs.
Best for: Best overall; Fastest general liability insurance for scuba diving instructors
Average cost: $30 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Hartford has extensive experience and expertise in insurance coverage for small businesses, making them a reliable choice for scuba diving instructors
They offer personalized customer service and support from dedicated agents, ensuring you receive tailored advice and guidance throughout the insurance process
Hartford offers competitive pricing and discounts for bundling multiple policies, potentially reducing insurance costs
Hartford may not be the best option for smaller tour guide businesses or independent contractors due to their higher pricing compared to other insurers
The Hartford is a well-established insurance company that offers a range of coverage options for small businesses and tour guides, including scuba diving instructors. Their policies cover general liability, professional liability, commercial auto insurance, and other options such as cyber liability and data breach insurance.
Best for: Underwriting expertise on scuba instructor workers comp insurance
Average cost: $33 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Consolidate all your insurance policies into a single location, streamlining the process of reviewing your coverage, paying your bills, and filing claims.
They provide excellent customer service and support, with a dedicated team of insurance advisors available to answer any questions or concerns.
Limited customer support options outside of the online platform
CoverWallet is a provider of online insurance solutions for small and medium-sized businesses, with the goal of simplifying the process of purchasing insurance by enabling businesses to easily compare and buy policies digitally.
Best for: Comparing scuba diving instructor insurance quotes online
Average cost: $35 per month
Our rating: 10/10
Compare quotes over the phone
A partner of reputable insurance companies
Personalized approach in granting coverage
Some customers may prefer to work with more established providers
Tivly is a digital insurance platform that provides on-demand coverage for small businesses. It works with insurance companies such as Liberty Mutual and The Hartford to grant coverage. Policies you can get from this company are general liability, commercial property, professional liability, and more. Call now to compare quotes over the phone. Call now to compare quotes over the phone.
Best for: Comparing scuba diving instructor insurance quotes online
Average cost: $50 per month
Our rating: 9/10
With Thimble, it is possible to purchase coverage for your business for brief periods, such as 1 month, 1 day, or even just 1 hour
Thimble is financially stable and supported by insurers who received an A rating from AM Best
Their coverage options may not be as comprehensive as some other providers in the market
Thimble established in 2016, has already achieved significant success and boasts a rapidly expanding customer base of more than 30,000 businesses. Thimble's popularity led to a growing demand for additional types of coverage.
Best for: Independent freelancers looking for short-term insurance coverage
Average cost: $40 per month
Our rating: 9/10
Comprehensive coverage options to fit your business's needs
Competitive pricing and discounts for bundling multiple policies
Higher pricing compared to some other insurance providers
Hiscox is a specialized insurance company at the forefront of its industry. The company concentrates on particular types of insurance requiring specific knowledge, often focusing on areas that other insurers may consider too complicated to cover.
Best for: Medium-sized scuba diving businesses with diverse insurance needs
Average cost: $50 per month
Our rating: 10/10
1 / 5
Use anyone except Employers. Period. They are non-transparent and shameful. After I complained long enough to warrant a call from a supervisor, the supervisor called back from a PRIVATE NUMBER (no caller ID), left a message that they are not reversing their decision (without any communication with me), and failed to leave a phone number for me to call back. She was hiding! They also fact find via email and phone calls, which is terrific for speed and communication. However, after setting a precedence of email or phone calls, they send time sensitive information via email, without any heads up... they are hoping you miss it and forfeit via expiration. Evil policies. Go elsewhere.
1 / 5
This place is an absolute joke of a company and should be ashamed of the way they conduct business. I was hurt on the job at the end of July and it took them just shy of 7 weeks to issue out a paycheck to me. Yes the amount was back dated but still. Not many have the luxury of not receiving a paycheck for almost 2 months. To top it all off, the original adjuster marked me down for the wrong state which caused a problem from the get go, I've had 3 different adjusters now since each one can't seem to figure out the simplicity of my claim. All my paperwork which includes, my job, house, and drs visits all are from the same state and city but yet some how I have been filed under a completely different state 1500 miles away. They do not answer your phone calls or emails no matter how many you leave. I've had to escalate my frustrations to the supervisors of each of these individuals in order to even get some kind of response. I've had more communication and information given to me about my claim from the customer service representatives then the actual adjusters.......... please tell me how that works?! A serious overhaul needs to happen here in order to serve your clients the way they deserve to be taken care of. 10/10 do not recommend this company to a single soul on earth
1 / 5
I have never had the displeasure of working with a more incompetent and disrespectful person in my life. I’m an injured worker and the adjuster that was assigned to my case was named Carrie Furgeson. In the past 6 weeks that I’ve been injured and out of work I have only been able to get ahold of her twice, not for lack of trying. I have left countless voicemails, countless emails, and she ignores them all. When I am finally able to get ahold of her I’m greeted with terrible customer service. She is rude, she talks over me and I’m hardly able to get a word in edgewise. She spelled my name wrong on my documents even after I spelled it for her properly countless times, this caused a whole new issue with my bank. I have bill collectors from the hospital calling me demanding payment and Carrie Furgeson won’t do a single thing to help, or to get them paid. All of my documentation is in Colorado, my job is in Colorado, my address is in Colorado, all my Dr offices and appointments have been in Colorado and Carrie still managed to hold my claim because she wasn’t sure what state she needed to file it under. It’s been 6 weeks since my Injury and my company still hasn’t received the wage paperwork to fill out so they can get me my correct wages. When she’s not ignoring me she’s answering my questions with “I don’t know” well I don’t know how she got this job, because apparently she doesn’t know anything about it. She is a disgusting morose individual inside and out and I genuinely wish her the worst in all of her future endeavors. I highly recommend you don’t use this company. Please if you are a business owner and your looking into this company please don’t use them. I’m sure they have the cheapest payment and that’s why companies use them in the first place, but you will be doing your employees a grave disservice by forcing them to venture into this absolute dumpster fire of a company. I would rate 0/5 if possible but 1 was the lowest I was allowed.
5 / 5
Their general liability insurance purchase process is simply the best online experience I've ever had in my life!
5 / 5
As long as they cover your line of business, you're literally covered! best rates, best coverage, best online experience, best professionals, can't be happier that I chose them!
Not all those who wander are lost.
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