Surfer insurance being offered by 1 Love Surfing to provide cover for shark attacks

FOR $2.50 per week, surfers can now insure themselves against shark attacks - guaranteeing a payout if they are killed. Vendors say it buys ‘peace of mind’.

Surfer insurance is now being offered in Australia. Credit: Rotorwing Helicopter Services

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Surfers can insure themselves against shark attacks in a policy believed to be the first of its kind in Australia.

A partnership between a Newport man’s surfing club and a Mona Vale insurance company is offering a scheme in which a surfer could claim a $50,000 lump sum payout if they are killed by a shark.

Newport surfer Benny Bradley. Picture: Troy Snook

Newport’s Benny Bradley, founder of 1 Love Surfing club, says the policy – organised through Carriers Insurance Brokers – will give surfers more “peace of mind” while they are in the water.

The policy, which costs $130 per annum for members, covers a range of circumstances which lead to death or injury for a surfer.

But Mr Bradley said surfers’ concerns over their increasing vulnerability to shark attacks was one of the main reasons he sought out the policy for his group.

Surfers can insure themselves against shark attacks Picture:Peter Clark

“I think everybody who surfs is always kind of thinking about sharks,” he said. “It’s just having that peace of mind ... it makes a big difference.

“That was one of the reasons why I thought ‘why not do some kind of insurance?’ ”

After extensive research, Mr Bradley was adamant this was the only policy of its kind in Australia.

Many firms offer travel insurance for surfing-related mishaps, but there is little use for surfers to invest in insurance when they’re on Aussie shores.

Carriers account manager Cristen Giles said: “With all the current hype surrounding shark attacks ... this policy can give the members peace of mind.”

Visit 1lovesurfing.com for details.