Modified/homebuilt/converted rebreathers. Insurance?

[divetheworld]

Considering all possible changes from stock on your rebreathers, how do you stand on insurance?
My unit is about as far changed from the original design as I can imagine, and therefore I consider myself in a precarious position. I can see it now, "So Mr Bloggs, you changed the internals of your 1st stages and added a metering valve off a what?" etc. etc.

I'll be interested to hear your comments.

[Jen S]

Don't have a problem really. Life insurance I don't have anything which I'd need to cover, I get treated for bends courtesy of the NHS, and other than that I don't see what else I need insurance for. If I'm teaching, I'm covered, but I don't use an RB for that!!!

Digs.

He he - Looks like Jen wrote this one! Oh well, I think it's dinner time anyway.

[Dave Crampton]

You get some wee diggerettes/Jenettes? And a house and morgage which needs the repayments keeping up? Will you still dive the PISS when you've finally got responsbilities?

Dave C

[BJ]

Never forget that insurance companies are there to collect premiums and pay dividends - not to pay out on claims. (I went from naive to cynical when PPP refused to pay out a medical claim for hospital treatment of the terminal disease of the first Mrs B.) If they can find a reason not to pay out, they will.

[divetheworld]

Originally Posted by JJJBBB

Never forget that insurance companies are there to collect premiums and pay dividends - not to pay out on claims. (I went from naive to cynical when PPP refused to pay out a medical claim for hospital treatment of the terminal disease of the first Mrs B.) If they can find a reason not to pay out, they will.

This is my concern, I would be worried that my dependants would get nada. Building your own CCR and diving it is not automatically suicide, I designed/machined and built most of the parts myself. The KISS training is not specifically for my toy but very near (principles the same, hardware is very different), but there are no laws which state I must be trained (although all MCCR users should take this course). So what would happen?

[BJ]

So what would happen?[/quote]

I would avoid any modifications that affect the life-support aspects such as CO2 scrubber and O2 supply. Coroner courts will get in an expert witness to say if the unit was in good working order. Insurance adjusters will examine Coroners reports because they will be looking for anyone culpable in order to get their money back by their own court action if necessary.

[NotDeadYet]

Must admit, even though I have "responsibilities" (i.e. a mortgage) I will not let an insurance policy dictate how I live. I make and dive my own rebreathers and that will not change. The day someone in an office starts holding sway over what I do, I think I'll be taking that one way rebreather trip with tequila soaked lime. It might sound selfish but the way I look at it, I would rather try my utmost to not die rather than adapt my lifestyle to suit some moneygrabbing suit. Those that are in my life accept this, not just with diving but with all the things I do. Maybe if I have children this will chaange but I hope that it would not. I've had many, er, experiences that have come quite close to being the ultimate trip that had that happened my insurance would not cover but you go into them with your eyes open and accept the risk not only of death but of financial hardship. It is a very personal decision what you do. My own experience of insurance is that it is little more than a tax, getting them to pay out in normal circumstances is a fight anyway. If you get anything out of the b@stards then it is a bonus, so you might as well live how you like.

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by NotDeadYet

My own experience of insurance is that it is little more than a tax, getting them to pay out in normal circumstances is a fight anyway.

I had insurance to cover my mad hobbies for many years and it was very expensive and, as I never died, it could be argued that I wasted my money. However if I was killed in 'competitive motor sport' the standard policy would have not covered it. My wife and I had a joint life policy to cover the mortgage and when I paid off the home loan I kept it on and, sadly, collected on it - they do pay sometimes.

These days I have run out of dependants so I don't have insurance. The kids have grown up and they get the house which should cover the bills.

nigelH

[narked at 90]

i've never bothered with insurance hear in the uk,as i cant see anyone insuring me! and i don't have any dependant, all my family know about my hear brained skeams and i except the risks, i would never allow an insurance company to dictate how i live my life!

i did tell the family once that if i did get my self killed just to start a fire at the end of the garden and chuck me on!! saves on the cost of the crem!
my mums nearly the same as me when she goes her wishes are "to be burnt and bake the ashes into a loaf of bread and feed it to the seagulls in Brighton, just so i get to shit on the world for the last time"

happy new year
john routley