At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we help people secure affordable, high-quality life insurance for skydiving—even when traditional carriers treat the sport as automatically high-risk. The reality is that underwriting for skydivers is far more nuanced than most applicants realize. A recreational skydiver who jumps occasionally at a well-run drop zone with proper training is evaluated very differently than someone who participates in wingsuit flights, BASE jumping, or frequent competition.

Because we work with more than 100 A-rated insurance companies, we can identify which insurers are more favorable toward skydivers and which tend to overprice the risk. Just as important, we know how to present a skydiving history in a way that underwriters understand clearly. Many declines and inflated quotes happen because the application is framed too broadly, lacks detail, or is sent to carriers with conservative underwriting rules for adventure sports.

If you want life insurance that protects your family without unnecessary costs, the underwriting strategy matters. Carrier selection matters. And how your skydiving profile is documented can make a meaningful difference in the offer you receive.

How Skydiving Affects Life Insurance Underwriting

Skydiving is typically classified as a higher-risk avocation because it involves altitude exposure, reliance on equipment, variable conditions, and the potential for high-severity incidents. That said, underwriters do not evaluate “skydiving” as a single category. The final decision is based on how often you jump, what type of jumps you do, your training and licensing, and the safety environment you jump in.

One of the first questions underwriters consider is volume. A person who makes a few recreational jumps each year is usually treated more favorably than someone logging dozens of jumps per month. This is not just about frequency, but total exposure. Higher jump counts typically increase underwriting load because the insurer views the probability of an incident as higher over time.

Training and certifications also carry weight. Licensed jumpers with advanced certifications and documented safety practices often receive more favorable consideration than applicants with minimal experience. Underwriters want evidence that your activity is structured, regulated, and performed within recognized safety standards.

Jump type matters as well. Tandem jumps and standard solo jumps at regulated drop zones are often assessed differently than wingsuit flying or BASE jumping. Those advanced categories tend to trigger stricter underwriting because they may involve additional variables and higher incident severity. When underwriting becomes more complicated, it is common to see a flat extra in life insurance, particularly for frequent jumpers or advanced jump types.

Finally, your overall health profile is still a major driver of approval and pricing. Skydiving may add an additional underwriting layer, but the basics still matter. Age, medical history, medications, and lifestyle factors can all impact the rating class you receive.

Why Skydivers Often Get Overquoted or Declined

Many skydivers are surprised by how inconsistent quotes can be from one carrier to another. Some insurers take a conservative approach and treat skydiving with broad assumptions, applying higher premiums even when the applicant’s jump profile is relatively moderate. Others evaluate the risk more precisely and issue more competitive offers when documentation supports safe participation.

Another common issue is incomplete or vague disclosure. A skydiver who simply answers “yes” to skydiving without explaining frequency, training, jump type, and safety environment may trigger the strictest interpretation. This can result in inflated pricing or a decline that might have been avoidable with better underwriting presentation.

This is where working with specialists matters. Our team helps you submit the right information in the right way to the right carriers, which can dramatically improve the outcome.

Who This Coverage Is Best For

Life insurance for skydivers is a strong fit for recreational jumpers who want to protect their family, licensed jumpers with consistent training and safe habits, and competitive or frequent jumpers who want underwriting that reflects the real details of their activity.

It is also ideal for applicants who were quoted too high or declined elsewhere. Many declines are carrier-specific, not skydiving-specific. The right insurer, along with better documentation, can create opportunities that did not exist through the first application.

Typical Life Insurance Outcomes for Skydivers

Occasional recreational jumpers may qualify for standard or near-standard rates, especially when overall health is strong and jump history is limited. Frequent licensed jumpers often receive coverage but may see table ratings or flat extras. Applicants involved in wingsuit flying or BASE jumping may still obtain coverage, but it tends to be priced more aggressively and may come with stricter underwriting requirements.

The most important point is that outcomes vary. Underwriting is not a single decision. It is a combination of your jump profile, your health profile, and the carrier’s specific rules.

Why Work With Diversified Insurance Brokers

Most skydivers do not need “special” life insurance—they need the right carrier and the right underwriting strategy. At Diversified Insurance Brokers, we specialize in high-risk and non-standard underwriting. That means we know which companies are favorable toward skydivers, how to position jump history, and when to pursue certain policy types over others.

We take the same approach for other high-risk occupations and avocations, where general quoting tools often produce misleading results. When underwriting is nuanced, experience and carrier access matter.

Example Case

A 35-year-old recreational skydiver with roughly 20 to 30 jumps per year was initially declined by a direct-to-consumer carrier that applied conservative adventure-sports rules. By documenting licensing, training, and a strong safety record—and placing the case with a carrier that evaluates recreational jumpers more accurately—we secured a $250,000 20-year term policy with only a modest flat extra. The result was savings of more than $400 per year compared to the first quote.

Take the next step: Complete our secure skydiving life insurance request form and let us shop the market for your best options. We also help clients who participate in other high-risk avocations such as race car driving and scuba diving.