Life Insurance for Skydivers: Rates, Rules & How to Get Covered

Can Skydivers Get Life Insurance?

Yes — and it may cost less than you think. While skydiving is classified as a hazardous activity by most life insurance carriers, that classification does not mean you are uninsurable. It means you need to find a carrier that understands the sport.

The life insurance industry evaluates skydiving based on several factors:

• Jump frequency: How many jumps per year
• Experience level: Certified vs. tandem-only
• Type of skydiving: Recreational, competitive, or instructing
• Altitude: Standard altitude vs. high-altitude jumps (HALO)
• Location: Regulated drop zones vs. unregulated

Most recreational skydivers who make fewer than 50 jumps per year can find competitive coverage with the right carrier.

How Skydiving Affects Your Rates

Insurance carriers typically handle skydiving in one of three ways:

Flat Extra Charge

The most common approach. The carrier adds a flat dollar amount per $1,000 of coverage on top of your standard premium.

Jump Frequency	Typical Flat Extra	Impact on $500K Policy
1-10 jumps/year	$2-3 per $1,000	+$83-125/month
11-25 jumps/year	$3-5 per $1,000	+$125-208/month
26-50 jumps/year	$5-7 per $1,000	+$208-292/month
50+ jumps/year	$7-10+ per $1,000	+$292-417/month

Table Rating

Some carriers assign a table rating instead, which multiplies your base premium by a percentage. A Table 2 rating adds 50% to your premium, Table 4 adds 100%, and so on.

Exclusion Rider

A few carriers will offer standard rates but exclude skydiving-related deaths from coverage. This is generally not recommended — if skydiving is risky enough to need life insurance, you want it covered.

Best Companies for Skydivers

These carriers are known for reasonable treatment of skydivers:

Most Skydiver-Friendly:

• Prudential — competitive flat extras for recreational jumpers
• Banner Life — considers experience and certification
• Lincoln Financial — reasonable rates for under 25 jumps/year
• MetLife — standard rates possible for very occasional jumpers

Moderate:

• Transamerica — will cover most skydivers with flat extra
• Principal — case-by-case for experienced skydivers

Typically Decline or Exclude:

• State Farm — often excludes skydiving
• Northwestern Mutual — conservative underwriting for aviation sports

An independent broker who works with multiple carriers is essential. The difference in pricing between a skydiver-friendly carrier and a strict one can be thousands of dollars per year.

Tips for Getting the Best Rate

1. Get certified. Carriers view USPA-certified skydivers more favorably than beginners. Certification signals training and safety awareness.

2. Log your jumps. Detailed jump logs demonstrate experience and professionalism. Carriers may request this documentation.

3. Keep your frequency reasonable. Under 25 jumps per year is the sweet spot for most carriers. If you are doing 100+ jumps annually, expect to pay more.

4. Avoid combining risk factors. If you also scuba dive, rock climb, or ride motorcycles, each additional hazard stacks. Focus on one sport per policy if possible.

5. Work with an independent broker. This is non-negotiable for skydivers. A broker who specializes in high-risk life insurance will know exactly which carriers offer the best rates for your jump profile.

6. Apply during the off-season. If you skydive seasonally, some carriers look at annual jump counts. Applying when your trailing 12-month count is lower may help.

How to Apply

The application process for skydivers follows the same path as standard life insurance with a few extra steps:

1. Disclose everything upfront. List skydiving on your application, including frequency, experience level, and certification status.

2. Complete a hazardous activity questionnaire. Most carriers will send a supplemental form asking detailed questions about your skydiving history.

3. Provide jump logs if requested. Certified skydivers should have these readily available.

4. Complete the medical exam. Standard medical underwriting still applies — blood work, vitals, and medical history.

5. Wait for underwriting. Skydiving cases often take slightly longer as they may require review by a specialist underwriter.

The entire process typically takes 4-8 weeks. If you need coverage faster, some carriers offer no-medical-exam policies that still cover skydiving, though at higher rates.

Ready to find coverage? Get a free life insurance quote and compare rates from carriers that cover skydivers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get life insurance if I skydive?

Yes. Many carriers cover skydivers, though rates depend on jump frequency, experience level, and whether you jump recreationally or competitively. Some carriers add a flat extra fee while others offer standard rates for occasional jumpers.

Do I have to tell my life insurance company I skydive?

Absolutely. Failing to disclose skydiving is considered material misrepresentation and can result in a denied claim. Applications specifically ask about hazardous activities including skydiving.

How much more does life insurance cost for skydivers?

Occasional recreational skydivers (under 25 jumps per year) may see a flat extra charge of $2-5 per $1,000 of coverage. Frequent or competitive skydivers may pay 50-150% more. Some carriers offer standard rates for very occasional jumpers.