Do cave divers have a plan for the unexpected?

[Leandro]

After reading, this weekend, about cave collapses and new sinkholes opening every year in northern Florida, some questions came to my mind:

• What mostly happen to the families (financially) of cave divers that perished in a cave.
• Do cave divers plan that their families do not suffer any financial loss if they leave this world doing cave diving?
• Are there term life insurance for those who practice cave diving? If so, do cave divers have them?

I would like to know your comments or recommendations.

[nthewater]

Good questions and honestly I worry more about what would happen to my family then my own death.

I think the only reason my wife allows me to cave dive is because I have a very nice life insurance policy. Anything happens to me, the family is set. Only thing that makes me nervous is sometimes the night before I leave for a trip, I'll catch her messing with my gear in the middle of the night

My life insurance is issued through my company and allows a high multiplier. So I have never had to look externally, but know there are options.

I would recommend any life insurance policy you get, ensure it does not disqualify you for high risk activities (i.e., base jumpers and cave divers).

Now that is the financial part. And at least in my case, the easy part. Leaving three children without a father and my wife a widow... That keeps me on my toes IN THE CAVE. For example, was playing in the Express way tunnel at Ginnie this weekend. For no apparent reason, I just started feeling uncomfortable. I knew it was just in my mind, but left anyways. Not saying I do everything perfect (still bad about not running a primary into a cave), but that thought keeps me grounded and from doing TOO many foolish things.

[jj1987]

After reading, this weekend, about cave collapses and new sinkholes opening every year in northern Florida, some questions came to my mind:

• What mostly happen to the families (financially) of cave divers that perished in a cave.
• Do cave divers plan that their families do not suffer any financial loss if they leave this world doing cave diving?
• Are there term life insurance for those who practice cave diving? If so, do cave divers have them?

I would like to know your comments or recommendations.

I'll bite.

I'm 26, recently married. I took out a whole life policy, as well as a term life policy to supplement it. I figure the whole life has tax benefits if nothing goes wrong, and the term is so cheap at my age that it's hard to justify not getting it. Not that it directly relates to diving, but I also took out a long term disability policy to protect my income if I were to become disabled.

Even though my employer offers both of these at group rates, I purchased these privately. Cost wasn't much more (if any, I forget), and that way I lock my rate in for the long term.

I've started private pilot training and have been cave diving for a few years, and had no issues getting the policy issued.

[LiteHedded]

I'll bite.

I'm 26, recently married. I took out a whole life policy, as well as a term life policy to supplement it. I figure the whole life has tax benefits if nothing goes wrong, and the term is so cheap at my age that it's hard to justify not getting it. Not that it directly relates to diving, but I also took out a long term disability policy to protect my income if I were to become disabled.

Even though my employer offers both of these at group rates, I purchased these privately. Cost wasn't much more (if any, I forget), and that way I lock my rate in for the long term.

I've started private pilot training and have been cave diving for a few years, and had no issues getting the policy issued.

plus there's all the gear to be sold off after i kick it. that's enough to cover a pretty lavish funeral right there

[rddvet]

I'll bite.

I'm 26, recently married. I took out a whole life policy, as well as a term life policy to supplement it. I figure the whole life has tax benefits if nothing goes wrong, and the term is so cheap at my age that it's hard to justify not getting it. Not that it directly relates to diving, but I also took out a long term disability policy to protect my income if I were to become disabled.

Even though my employer offers both of these at group rates, I purchased these privately. Cost wasn't much more (if any, I forget), and that way I lock my rate in for the long term.

I've started private pilot training and have been cave diving for a few years, and had no issues getting the policy issued.

That's actually a perfect answer. You covered yourself 100%. The only thing I would add is to make 100% sure there are no clauses that make your policy pay out if you die diving.

Since your starting flying, the aopa and experimental association may also have plans that may be decent. I've never looked into their offerings. Since you will be a student, aopa's rental insurance is a smart choice and cheap that can cover you if you have an issue.

[gschaut]

• What mostly happen to the families (financially) of cave divers that perished in a cave.
• Do cave divers plan that their families do not suffer any financial loss if they leave this world doing cave diving?
• Are there term life insurance for those who practice cave diving? If so, do cave divers have them?

I would like to know your comments or recommendations.

I make sure my wife would have enough finances to go on. But not so much that she's tempted to tamper with my equipment!

[floridabob]

I'm not sure who wouldn't be better off in the event of my death...maybe the dive shops? They are not beneficiaries on my policy, after all.

I am over insured as anyone in the industry will tell you but it means no concerns for me. My insurance does not "dis-allow" cave diving or deep diving.

I know more than enough who have died doing this and their spouses usually suffer financially for a bit due to poor planning. I hope the majority plan better. Gear sales for a dead guy are not a great time.

Bob

[Red Hat Jef]

My life insurance policy is ok with cave diving, tech diving, and decompression diving. They basically just asked me if I was breaking any laws, because that was a disqualifier. I promised to not rob any banks while diving.

Upon further review I suppose trespassing on land to sneak dive or dive with "North Carolina" permission might be an issue, so I tend to be pretty careful about that now.


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[jes]

My wife will become a rich woman and be able to buy the 'toy boy' she's always lusted after !!..

[Sludge]

plus there's all the gear to be sold off after i kick it.

Cave diver's prayer: Dear Lord, when I die, please don't let my wife sell my cave diving gear for what I told her I paid for it. Amen.