Recreational diving is one of those hobbies that starts with a mask and snorkel… and quickly turns into a serious investment. A decent BCD, regulator set, dive computer, exposure suit, camera rig and accessories can easily run into the thousands. Add travel, liveaboards, and the fact that kit often moves between home, car, boat and resort lockers, and it’s clear why divers ask a simple question:
“What happens if my equipment is stolen, lost, flooded, or damaged?”
That’s where leisure diving equipment insurance comes in. In this guide, we’ll break down what this type of cover is, what it typically includes, where divers get caught out, and how to arrange protection that actually works when you need it.
Leisure diving equipment insurance is designed to cover the cost of repairing or replacing your recreational diving kit if it’s damaged, stolen or lost.
It can be arranged in a few ways:
As a specialist sports or diving equipment policy
As an add-on to travel insurance (often with limits)
Through a home contents policy (sometimes with “personal possessions” cover)
The right option depends on the value of your kit, how often you travel, and whether you need worldwide protection.
Policies vary, but diving equipment usually includes items such as:
Regulator set (first stage, second stage, octopus)
BCD or wing and harness
Dive computer(s) and gauges
Cylinder(s) and valves (sometimes excluded or limited)
Exposure suits (wetsuit, drysuit, undersuit)
Mask, fins, snorkel
Weight system, weights (often limited)
Torch, SMB, reels, knives, accessories
Dive camera and housing (sometimes treated separately)
Dive bag and protective cases
If you have high-value specialist kit (for example, a technical set-up, rebreather components, or underwater photography gear), you’ll want to check whether it needs to be listed separately or insured under a different section.
Even mid-range gear adds up fast. Replacing a regulator set and computer alone can be a painful hit, especially if you’re abroad and need to keep your trip going.
Dive kit is often stored in:
Cars and vans
Hotel rooms
Dive centre lockers
Boats and liveaboards
Shared rinse areas
These are exactly the places where theft, mix-ups and accidental damage happen.
Flooded cameras, crushed fins, damaged hoses, torn seals and broken buckles are common. Some claims are straightforward accidental damage. Others depend on how the policy defines “wear and tear” versus a sudden incident.
Many divers assume their contents policy covers everything. In reality, cover may be limited by:
Single item limits
Away-from-home limits
Exclusions for “sports equipment” used away from the home
Requirements for proof of ownership and security
Specialist cover can be clearer and more suited to the way divers actually use their kit.
Here are the main cover areas to look for.
This can include sudden, unexpected damage such as:
A dive computer smashed during transit
A regulator damaged by impact
A drysuit torn on sharp metal
A camera housing flooded due to an accidental knock or seal failure (policy wording matters)
Be careful: many policies exclude gradual deterioration, corrosion, or damage caused by poor maintenance.
Theft cover commonly applies when equipment is:
Stolen from your home
Stolen while travelling
Stolen from a locked vehicle (often with strict conditions)
Expect security requirements, such as:
Forced entry evidence
Kit not left on display
Locked boot or locked compartment
Specific time limits for leaving kit unattended
Loss is one of the most misunderstood areas. Some policies cover “loss” (for example, a bag goes missing in transit). Others only cover theft or accidental damage.
If you travel a lot, look for:
Cover for airline baggage loss or mishandling
Cover while equipment is checked in with a carrier
Clear claims process and documentation requirements
If you dive abroad, check:
Territorial limits (UK only, Europe, worldwide)
Whether cover applies while in transit
Whether the policy requires you to be on an “authorised trip”
Some specialist policies include a benefit to cover temporary hire equipment if your kit is lost or damaged during a trip.
This can be a big deal: it keeps your holiday or liveaboard from being ruined.
Some policies replace items on a new-for-old basis (especially for newer kit). Others apply depreciation.
Ask:
How is settlement calculated?
Is there a proof-of-purchase requirement?
Are older items subject to wear-and-tear deductions?
This is where most disappointment happens. Typical exclusions include:
Wear and tear, gradual deterioration, corrosion or rust
Mechanical breakdown (unless caused by an insured event)
Unattended equipment (especially in public places)
Theft from an unlocked vehicle or without signs of forced entry
Loss in the sea (some policies exclude “mysterious disappearance” underwater)
Damage caused by improper maintenance or failure to service
Claims where you can’t prove ownership/value
Some policies also exclude certain activities (for example, technical diving, cave diving, ice diving, or diving beyond a certain depth) unless declared.
Convenient if you only dive occasionally
May cover baggage loss while flying
Low limits for valuables and sports equipment
High excesses
May exclude diving unless you add an adventure sports pack
May not cover accidental damage to specialist kit
Good for theft from home
Can be cost-effective if you add personal possessions cover
Single item limits can be too low for dive computers/cameras
Away-from-home cover may be restricted
Claims can impact your home insurance record/premium
Designed for high-value kit
Clearer cover for transit and use
Often better suited to frequent travellers
You must list items accurately
You still need to follow security requirements
Before you buy, work through these points.
Create a list of your equipment with replacement values. Pay attention to:
Dive computer(s)
Camera and housing
Regulator set
Drysuit
If any single item exceeds the policy’s single item limit, you may need to specify it.
Be honest about your routine:
Do you leave kit in the car between dive days?
Do you store kit in a garage or outbuilding?
Do you use shared lockers at dive centres?
Your policy should match real life, not an ideal scenario.
If you fly, check:
Cover for checked baggage
Cover for items carried in hand luggage
Limits on valuables in transit
A cheap policy with a high excess isn’t always good value.
Also check:
How quickly claims are handled
Whether you can use your preferred repairer
What evidence is required
If you do anything beyond standard recreational diving, ask upfront:
Maximum depth covered
Whether nitrox is included
Whether wreck penetration, night diving, or ice diving changes terms
Insurers love good risk management because it reduces claims. Divers benefit too.
Keep receipts and serial numbers (photos work well)
Photograph your kit laid out clearly
Use labelled bags and unique identifiers to prevent mix-ups
Don’t leave kit visible in vehicles
Use robust cases for computers/cameras
Service regulators and maintain drysuits on schedule
Rinse and dry properly to reduce corrosion and mould
If you ever need to claim, good documentation can make the difference between a smooth settlement and a long dispute.
To arrange diving equipment insurance, you’ll typically need:
Your location (UK postcode)
Total value of equipment
High-value items and their values
Whether you want UK-only, Europe or worldwide cover
How equipment is stored at home (house, flat, garage, outbuilding)
Any previous claims or losses
If you’re insuring equipment for a club, school or business, that’s a different conversation (and usually falls under commercial insurance).
If something happens, act quickly and keep a clear record.
Report theft to the police and get a crime reference number.
Notify the carrier (airline, courier) immediately for baggage issues.
Take photos of damage and keep the damaged item if possible.
Gather proof of ownership (receipts, bank statements, photos, service records).
Contact your broker/insurer and follow their instructions before repairs.
Avoid disposing of damaged equipment until the insurer confirms they don’t need inspection.
Sometimes, but not always. Many policies exclude “mysterious disappearance” or loss while in use underwater. If this matters to you, ask for confirmation in writing.
It can be, but you’ll need to check your single item limit and whether personal possessions cover applies outside the home.
Often yes, but they may be treated as high-value items with separate limits. Flooding claims can be sensitive, so check wording around accidental damage and maintenance.
Usually only if the vehicle was locked and there’s evidence of forced entry. Some policies require equipment to be in the boot and out of sight.
Some policies allow a total sum insured without listing everything, but high-value items may need to be specified.
That’s typically the dive centre’s responsibility, but you may be liable under the hire agreement. If you regularly hire kit, ask about cover for hired-in equipment.
No. That’s liability cover, which is different. Some divers have liability through club membership or specialist diving policies.
No. Diving accident insurance is about medical costs, evacuation and treatment. Equipment insurance is about your kit.
Often yes, but settlement may be based on market value and you’ll need proof of purchase and condition.
Recreational diving should be about enjoying the water, not worrying about whether your kit will survive the journey or disappear from a hotel room. The right leisure diving equipment insurance gives you a clear plan for the “what if” moments: theft, transit loss, and accidental damage.
If you’re unsure whether your home or travel policy is enough, it’s worth reviewing your kit list and how you actually dive. A small change in cover limits, security conditions or worldwide protection can be the difference between a minor inconvenience and a very expensive problem.
Need help arranging cover? Speak to a specialist broker who can compare options, explain exclusions in plain English, and make sure your equipment is protected at home, in transit and abroad.
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