Survey for Insurance

[Orville]

My RIB is reaching the age when my current insurance company need a survey.

How do I go about this and how much is it likely to cost me?

[dubrus]

how old is your boat?

i thought 20 years was the normal for a survey for insurance purposes.

cheers

[Orville]

Yes, 20 years old.

[bosun]

Phone a boat surveyer (look in the back of practical boat owner or similar) expect to pay about £10 per foot of boat length for complex cabin boats, yachts etc, probably much less for a simple open boat like a rib.
Watch out for extras like travelling expenses,if its on a trailer offer to take it to them.

[Searider]

Hi Orville,

Ask your insurers what they want exactly, and if they have any criterion regarding what surveyors they will accept:

YDSA?
PI insurance?
"Full out of water"?
"Valuation"
"hull and deck structure only"

Then with this information have a phone around the local surveyors in your area to see what they can offer.

www.ydsa.co.uk should turn up a couple in your area.

I think that Bosun might be a little off in pricing at £10/ft for a proper surveyor though.

Would agree that bringing the boat to the surveyor will save you money - especially if the fee is to be kept low. A simple survey outside the surveyors office on a windy October Wednesday when he's quiet could be a good "fill in" job.

What boat is it -can't be many that are 20 years old - apart from seariders!

As an aside there may be web based insurers that don't need a survey for a 20 year old boat. - The requirement varies depending on market conditions - it used to be 10 years of age 20 years ago.

Regards



Duncan

[Orville]

It is an Osprey Sparrowhawk. Little use over the last 5 years but showing its age a bit here and there........

Thanks for the information.

Anyone got any recommendations for surveyor in the Bristol area before I put a pin in a directory?

[shoestring]

Hi just as an alternative not all insurance companies require surveys in my experiance? I've got an old searider and a typical survey was going to cost more than the annual premium. GJW direct in Worcester only wanted a self declaration of the condition of the Hull, outboard, recent servicing etc. I've since changed & my current insurers haven't asked either

regards AL

[Stephen-RIB]

Quite often they will accept a boat condition report from a boat builder or repairer - a lot cheaper than a surveyor!

[Orville]

Thanks All,
I have requested information from my underwriters.
Orve.