Insurance surveys.How often?

Slinky Spring

Slinky Spring

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I have just received my insurance renewel. It states that due to the age of the boat it will require a full survey within 12 months. It was last surveyed when I bought her in July 2005. Is this normal to require a survey after less than 3 years. Insurance is AXA through Traffords. Premium £180. Boat value about £16k. MG Spring 25. 1988 therefore still less than 20 years old.
 
Bought my 1981 Konsort last year. Insurers have stated that they shall not require another survey for at least 6 to 7 years.

John
 
I too had the same problem and when I questioned the insurance company in detail -I found that my original survey was still valid - they just hadnt kept the info from it and so required another copy! This should last at least 5 years. If they will not accept a survey less than 5 years old in your ownership then change companies!
Mark
 
Most insurers wouldn't demand a survey on boats <20yrs old. The normal rule of thumb for surveys for insurance would be 1 every 5yrs. My boat/insurer don't need a survey, just a report from myself... even this is only once every 3yrs.

I would recommend that you look around for a different insurer.
 
My renewal from GJW said a survey would be required next year. I rang them to say that I'd only had a survey last year when I bought the boat. They said to send that one as it was valid for 7 years.
 
I got fed up and switched to third party so no more surveys. For a boat worth around £10k I thought 3rd party was good enough. In any case my last surveyor reported to the insurers that my anchor was too small but did not mention it to me on the day. Had he done so I might have suggested he looked in the other locker where I keep the mother of all anchors.
 
Is it best to keep quiet or ask them, can't see anything in the smallprint. Is it up to them to inform us when a survey is reqd.
 
actually, I think its best to take an open approach with an insurance company. There's not much point in paying a premium to them if you give them any valid cause not to pay.
In fairness to them, they have 000's of boats and set out some blanket terms and conditions;however, in my experience, often they are quite happy to make a note in the margin for you if you need some smaller difference. I ve never even had to pay anything extra for that, either. Why not discuss with them quite what assurances they need over the condition of the boat-which is what they are after, I imagine. Maybe they will only accept a survey, but they may be more flexible than you think.
 
Some say every 5 yrs ... some say 10. Obviously Ins. Co's reserve the right to call for one at any time especially if they see or perceive a history with the boat.

But often in cases like this - a letter or call has gone out automatically without checking the date of last survey.

A point that is valid for boats UP to this sort of size ... a lot of companys will accept a Letter Of Seaworthiness / Condition from a boatyard ... all it has to say is in all respects as far as can be reasonably determined Boat is in good and seaworthy condition ... or similar.
My 25ft'r used to have a letter from XXXXX Yacht Co. on those lines for KC Powell ... (Polestar) and everyone was happy. Worth a try ..
 
Craftinsure asked me for a survey every 3 years. I told them that was daft and I would move insurer. They came back to me and said a boatyard report on rig and hull would be sufficient, rather than a surveyors report.
 
Different insurers probably put different weightings on their criteria.
It seems to depend on boat age, how good or 'iffy' the previous survey was, the reputation of the marque, and of the owner if known to them and on file.
I think it can pay to build up a good one: I support what 'gjgm' says: talk to your insurer and get some favourable notes on your file..
I've never changed insurer in 40 years, but my insurer has changed four times by take-overs; now AXA. The last survey required was ten years after the previous, the next will be after six years ''as the boat is now over 30 years old'' : it will actually be 40 at the next survey. Not unreasonable.
 
Used to be with St Margartets who asked for a survey. Because the boat was only valued at about 3500 GPB I rang and evenyually got them to agree to me providing photos of the boats condition. No problems at all.
 
Never had a survey.

Insurers haven't required it.

My present boat's 27 years old.

I've had her 10 years.

My feeling is that you are moving some of the risk from your insurance company to the surveyor's insurance company. Whether anything is gained by having someone else inspect your boat depends perhaps on your own area of expertise and attitude towards safety and maintenance.
 
Waste of money i think (apart from the pre buy survey)
They missed bits on our yacht which i have detected and obviously put right. Plus just found out the suspected osmosis treatment was totally a waste of time.
 
Mine say 7 years. Should have been done last winter but didn't read the details when I should. They upped the excess for this season in order to cover me. I have to get it done during the coming layup.
 
Ring round ? Letter of g'tee from you that boat is maintained ? Boatyard letter ...

Worth a try ...
 
This has started me off so i took the advice of you guys and spoke to the broker. Anyway they said basically the underwriter can ask for a survey whenever but must give 12 months notice. (our last survey was 2000)
 
[ QUOTE ]
Anyway they said basically the underwriter can ask for a survey whenever but must give 12 months notice.

[/ QUOTE ]

Interesting. I was with Nav and Gen and when they sent my renewal, they said they would not renew without a survey. This was about two weeks before the insurance ran out leaving no time to organize. Changed to Craft Insure who offer Nav and Gen policies, and they did not require a survey.
 
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