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    Unrivalled technical expertise
    Combined with the highest level of service

Insurance for the
Professional SCUBA Diving Industry

Why do we call it FirstDive?

Because First Dive is the industry's first worldwide scuba insurance program. In an effort to utilize our global reach, OWL Underwriting has developed a full range of insurance products for the Recreational Scuba Diving Industry. Our products are fully backed by Lloyd's of London, one of the world's oldest and most prestigious insurance markets.

Insurance for individuals

If you are an individual or business owner operator looking for coverage click your Territory below.

Retail Brokers

If you are a retail insurance broker who would like to provide our products to your clients, please click the links below.


Need something more?

We're always happy to help.

+1 604 697 1834

If you have a difficult risk, or something you think we would be keen to write, do not hesitate to give us a call.

Our Team

Peter Meyer

Peter Meyer

Peter first started Scuba Diving at the age of 14 and has never stopped. He became a certified Instructor in 1975 and became an Instructor Trainer / Course Director shortly after that. He owned and operated 2 full service retail Dive Facilities for many years and is currently certified as a sustaining status Instructor through SDI (#2673) and NAUI (#4264L). Peter also holds a current Passenger Vessel Master's License and owned and operated a Live aboard Dive Vessel for 12 years. After selling his diving businesses, Peter fell into the insurance industry by accident and has focused on the Dive Industry and it's unique needs and exposures ever since. He assisted NAUI in obtaining their first stand alone insurance program in 1988 and eventually developed programs for SDI, TDI, ERDI, ACUC, NASE, FADO, PDIC, YMCA, SEI, RAID and others. He continued developing insurance products for the dive industry and ran successful dive programs for Dale & Company, Jardine Lloyd Thompson, Marsh and Willis until his semi-retirement from Willis in 2014. Peter has also been a presenter at various IQ's, DEMA shows and Risk Management Seminars and has had several diving and Risk Management articles published in Dive Industry Magazines. He is pleased to be back in business with OWL / FIRST DIVE and looks forward to providing exceptional service to retail insurance brokers and their Dive Industry clients on a worldwide basis.

  • +1 604.697.1835
Ryan Meyer

Ryan Meyer

It's debatable whether Ryan was born on a boat or born in an insurance office. From the day he arrived, his father, Peter, operated a dive charter vessel, the Sea Venturer, while his mother worked as a commercial insurance broker for family owned Duggan West Insurance. Since he could crawl, he was either on the water or in the office. In August of 2000, Ryan was certified as an Open Water Scuba Diver through SDI (625123). After attending the University of British Columbia, Ryan followed into the family insurance business (in spite of his parents insistence he should be a writer and musician). While enjoying successful tenures with Northbridge Insurance, Zurich Insurance, Chutter Underwriting Services and South Western Group as Branch Manager, it became apparent First Dive and Owl Underwriting was a logical choice in his career path and he's proud to have the opportunity to show you what Owl can do. The ocean has always been family to Ryan who is often seen, between phone calls and emails, Declarations design or wordings discussions, gazing between the skyscrapers to the nearby harbour.

  • +1 604.697.1834
Samera McGourty

Samera McGourty

Samera McGourty’s lauded attention to detail was formed all the way back in Dublin, Ireland, where she honed her insurance chops working for RSA. As a platinum award nominee for the company in 2009, it was clear to all that she was destined for great things and after a tenured career at illustrious shops such as Willis and Axis Insurance Managers, the folks at Owl are happy to confirm the award nomination was no fluke. As advertised, Samera’s attention to detail is unparalleled, her sense of humor unmatched and her breadth of knowledge in the insurance industry an undisputable contribution to the company. In a short span of time, she’s become the backbone of Owl and an absolutely integral part of the team. Whether it’s manning the phones or grasping a business development role, Samera’s disposition outshines even her strongest recommendations. And when she’s not outshining company expectations, she can be found outshining coworkers in office karaoke, where her rendition of Robbie William’s “Rock DJ” is truly the stuff of legends.

  • +1 604.697.1840

But Don't Take Our Word For It...

  • "Hi Peter,
    I'd like to thank you and Ryan for making the transition seem effortless."
    Phil, New Jersey
  • "Would it be completely inappropriate to say I LOVE YOU???!!!! THANK YOU PROFUSELY FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN BY TODAY. We will be up and running again on Monday. BLESS YOU AND YOUR TEAM! Much aloha. "
    Eve, Hawaii
  • "After being cared for by the Willis gang for so so many years I was so bummed out thinking I was going to have to sign up with (...). I am absolutely going with you and First Dive Ins. company!"
    Mary Ann, Ohio

Articles We've Written

Ocean Doom = Tourism Boom

Ocean Doom = Tourism Boom

A disturbing trend in travel today, often called the 'Tourism of Doom' or 'Doom Tourism', refers to an increasing number of people taking vacations to exotic places and environments that, seemingly, are doomed to destruction.

(Download/Read PDF)

Killers Among Us

Killers Among Us

Are there murderers in our ranks? In two unsolved underwater deaths this question remains. Murder is alleged in both cases, and charged in one, but years later doubt still weighs heavily over teh diving deaths of two women and the guilt or innocence of their husbands.

(Download/Read PDF)

Do I really Need Dive Accident Insurance?

Do I really Need Dive Accident Insurance?

The short answer is YES, but I know most readers will be a tough sell so I'm going to take some time to explain in deatil the reasons behind my answer. SO, do diving accidents happen regularly?
Yes, unfortunately, they do.

(Download/Read PDF)

Dive Computers, Jules Verne Canadian Conncetion

Dive Computers, Jules Verne Canadian Conncetion

It may surprise you to see that the dive computers story in this issue was written by an insurance expert, not a scientist, but take note of Peter Meyer's observations: they make a lot sense!

(Download/Read PDF)

Lost at Sea or is That Left at Sea?

Lost at Sea or is That Left at Sea?

A Los Angeles attorney called recently to ask if I'd heard about the 'latest' diver to be left behind in open water by a charter boat crew. I hadn't and quickly started asking questions.

(Download/Read PDF)

Modern Dive Technology: Friend or Foe?


Modern Dive Technology: Friend or Foe?

As diving gear becomes ever more sophisticated, allowing, indeed, encouraging us to descend deeper, to go farther, to stay longer, what's needed to stem the 'coincidental' spate of modern dive incidents and deaths?

(Download/Read PDF)

DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: SHOULD DIVE INSURANCE BE EASY?


DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE: SHOULD DIVE INSURANCE BE EASY?

My girlfriend was still lounging in bed, watching an episode of The Office. She’s just embarked on a career in insurance herself and likes to compare Steve Carell’s managerial style to that of her current boss. The show is a great example of what not to do.

(Read more)

HOW THE HUMAN DIVER HELPED STOP A BAR FIGHT


HOW THE HUMAN DIVER HELPED STOP A BAR FIGHT

Socrates once said, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” That line hung in my mind as the guy in front of me gripped the mouth of his beer bottle, turned back towards me on his swivel chair and asked if I had anything else to say. He was old, but he had more than a few pounds on me — enough to intimidate.

(Read more)