FAQ – Policies for SDI, TDI and ERDI for Members in the North American Region.

First Dive Insurance basic information, including exclusions. – Click Here

  1. How can I get coverage? Coverage is available now via link to our designated brokers via the SDI / TDI / ERDI web site. You can also access coverage from the following website www.owlunderwriting.com
  2. Who is the insurer for the new program? Coverage has been arranged with Lloyd’s through the wholesale broker First Dive / Owl Underwriting. The retailer brokers are Johnson, Kendall & Johnson for the USA and Axis Insurance Managers, Inc. for Canada.
  3. I see I can get insurance in Canada but Quebec is not an option?
    We are unable to provide coverage in the province of Quebec.
  4. What limits of Liability coverage are available? The new program addresses the industry need for higher limits of coverage. Recent dive litigation has clearly shown that the standard $1 million limit of protection in most policies is simply not enough to protect individual Dive Leaders, Retailers or Vessel operators when a serious injury leads to litigation. In addition many facilities used by Dive Professionals, pools, classrooms, etc, now are requiring higher limits. Our new program will offer a primary coverage limit of $2 million per claim / $3 million annual aggregate at a very affordable cost.
    1. Click Here for some examples of cases and the costs associated with them.
    2. Many of the places sudsdiving.org now are requiring at least a 2 million per claim / 3 million annual aggregate
  5. Is there an Individual Dive Leader policy available? Yes, individual Dive Leader coverage is available with a primary coverage limit of $2 million per claim / $3 million annual aggregate. Technical training options are available as well as owned equipment liability coverage.
  6. Is there a Dive Facility package policy available? Yes, we have combined facility policies available that provide many coverage options: property / contents, buildings, compressor breakdown, business interruption, $2 million General liability as standard as well as full Dive Training and Supervision coverage, Dive Travel coverage etc., as part of the facility policy if desired.
  7. Is there a Dive Vessel package policy available? Yes, Vessel Policies are also available, again with $2 million operating liability as standard and the option to include full Dive Training and Supervision coverage as part of the vessel policy.
  8. Is there Premium Financing available? Yes, there is a premium financing package available for Facility and Vessel policies. The financing options will be presented as part of your quote.
  9. Are higher limits of liability available? We have up to $10 million limits available for Facility and Vessel policies. $5 million limits are available for individual instructors
  10. Can I use my existing Insurance Broker to access this coverage? Yes, we have the option to allow access to our program from any licensed retail insurance brokers, allowing SDI / TDI members who have an established insurance broker relationship to obtain Facility, Resort and Vessel coverage through their existing broker. This will be very attractive to Dive Operators outside of the Continental US as they will finally be able to access coverage in their local jurisdictions with locally licensed insurance brokers they already know and trust. Simply tell your current insurance broker to contact firstdive@owlunderwriting.com.
  11. Can I apply for coverage online? Yes, you are able to apply online via the SDI/TDI/ERDI web site. Individual Dive Leader coverage can also be applied for online, and once approved you will receive your policy documents via Email (typically within 24 hours) once payment is made.
  12. Will the INTERNATIONAL TRAINING insurance program cover me if I teach other dive training organization’s programs? Yes, the program will provide coverage for your sanctioned activities through a large number of recognized training agencies as long as you maintain active status with the training agency in question. Please note that the program does have a restriction with respect to ratios for Discover Diving type programs. Coverage is subject to policy terms and conditions and a full disclosure of exclusions is provided in the application process.
  13. Is Technical Coverage available? Yes, Technical training and supervisory coverage is available as an option on Individual Dive Leader policies, Dive Facility policies and Dive Vessel policies.
  14. Are Refunds available if I cancel my policy? In certain instances pro rata returns are available on Dive Facility policies and Dive Vessel policies as per the cancellation provisions in the policy itself. There is no refund for cancellation of an individual Dive Leader policy as that is a Claims Made fully earned policy.
  15. Is Additional Insured protection available? Yes, Dive Shops, Vessel Owners etc., are listed automatically and do not need to be added formally. If you have facilities that insist on formal proof of your coverage you can have them added as additional insured’s at no additional charge. You cannot add other Dive Leaders as additional insured’s; they need to purchase their own coverage.
  16. Can I use other dive training organization’s medical, waiver & release forms for training? Yes, you must use the forms developed for the specific course and training agency that your program is provided through.
  17. I will not be teaching until later in the year. Is there a Non-Teaching coverage option available? Yes, there is a “retired / non-teaching” option available, but it is intended for Instructors that are not planning on teaching at all during the policy period. If you are planning to do any teaching at all during the policy period you should purchase teaching status coverage. If you do purchase non-teaching coverage and then upgrade to teaching status during the year you will end up paying a surcharge for the change.
  18. What are the effective dates of my policy? And how will I be notified of this? The effective date will be the date requested (you can request any date up to 30 days in the future) or the date application is made. The effective date will be noted on the policy documents.
  19. When do I need to renew my policy? If you want continuous coverage, you need to renew before your existing policy expires. Typically, you should renew 30 days in advance, however, our intent is to provide 24 hour turnaround on all policies / quotes. Renewal notices for accounts written in June of 2015 are currently being sent out.
  20. How long will it take to get a quote? Our intent is to provide 24 hour turnaround on all policies / quotes.
  21. Can instructors be covered under a Dive Center or Dive Vessel policy? Yes, with respect to all Supervisory / Instructional activity conducted on behalf of the facility or vessel.
  22. My business is outside the USA or Canada but I still have a need for insurance, what do I do? Contact First Dive directly at firstdive@owlunderwriting.com for more information. We have the option to allow access to our program from any licensed retail insurance brokers, allowing applicants who have an established insurance broker relationship to obtain Facility, Resort and Vessel coverage through a local broker. This is attractive to Dive Operators outside of the Continental US as they will finally be able to access coverage in their local jurisdictions with locally licensed insurance brokers they already know and trust. Simply tell your current insurance broker to contact firstdive@owlunderwriting.com.