Possible avoid an insurance survey?

[lindsay]

The insurance company is demanding a complete survey to continue a full insurance policy (for a single hander) for my soon- to - be 20 year old sail boat.

The hassle and cost for this, for several good reasons, particularly as I understand that the excercise will have to be repeated in five years, leads me to consider third party insurance. I would obviously be willing to assume the risk of total write-off. It is less a question of money than the disruption involved. I am committed to keeping it in seaworthy condition.

Do you need a survey for third party coverage? Any suggestions for insurance companies?

[Chrusty1]

Not usually??? Could try St Margarets, or GJW?

[boatmike]

Phone Navigators and General 01394 615755 and discuss.

[Tranona]

Not all insurance companies require a survey, and then most don't require a resurvey so frequently. I have not had a survey since 1992 on my boat, but have been with the same company all that time. On a lowish value boat they will often accept a boatyard report or your own statement that it is regularly maintained. This is easier if the boat stays in the same ownership.

[JonJon]

TRy Saga they stopped asking for surveys recently. A survey costs a fortune and doesnt fix anything.

[lindsay]

Thanks all for the advice. Very reassuring!

[Gordonmc]

Google Basic Boat Insurance.
They have covered me for third party without surveys for the last five years.
The boat is a MAB, twice as old as yours which I single-hand and it is in commission all year. The only restriction is on racing (as if!)
Basic Boat Insurance is underwritten by Navigators and General

[FullCircle]

Traffords used to do a small craft boat insurance, 3rd party, mine was around 75 quid for £2 million liability.

[Refueler]

Third Party such as Basic Boat Liability is fixed price and actually for YOU not the boat... so that gets rid of surveys and other rubbish. http://www.basic-boat.com/ Complete on-line.
Second it does cover an essential : Salvage / removal of wreck which many 3rd parties don't.
Read fully to ensure you pick the RIGHT cover as some say it doesn;t cover Brest to Elbe - but in fact does if you select correctly.

I had them for a while and was pleased with it.

Final comment if boat is under 25ft - many Ins. co's will accept a Yard Letter stating they know the boat and consider it sound and seaworthy.

[doug748]

Pantaenius have never asked me for a survey, the boat was 15years old when I first used them, and I have been with them about 15 years.
Their cover is good including singlehanding at night but they are expensive.

[sailorman]

[Their cover is good including singlehanding at night but they are expensive. ]

And are very good

[Keith 66]

Basic boat liability is a good way to go, locally a small 19ft sailing boat was totalled by being run down by a 60 ft steel humber keel. Basic boat went after the other boats insurance and they paid for all repairs quickly & efficiently. Its about £80 a year, other mainstream companies will probably charge £150 or so quoting minimum premiums.

[Rigger]

Just cost me £630 for 20 yr insurance survey on 34' boat. IMHO not worth the paper its written on but insurers (GJW) insisted. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

[sailorman]

thats a weeks work & that price /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[Guapa]

Have been with GJW for the past 8 years.
They've been brilliant the one time I needed them.
However, the renew cover they want a full survey (600-odd) - boat's 25 years old - last survey (purchase 2006).
Over the years, lots of little exclusions have crept in (night sailing, singlehanded, ...).

Not renewing, moving to Pants.

[sailorman]

HKJ insure me inc s/handed
had a survey @ the start
boat 30 yrs old this june just renewed with no request for survey.

[Shearwater]

Bishop Skinner has just asked me for a survey prior inception - completely excessive IMHO, I paid GBP4000 for the boat ....... how much is a survey? £400? 10% of the value? Daft. But thanks for opening the thread as I now have someother companies to call.

[sailorman]

an Ins survey differs from a pre-purchace survey n& neednt be as detailed

[nct1]

There is something to be said for an independent person assessing the condition of the craft.

I accept some surveyors may insist on a bunch of things that do not really need doing, but to date I have found a lot of the items brought up were things I had no idea were deterioriated, despite doing my own maintenance.

Even if you do not have it done for insurance purposes, a verbal survey may be worth considering.

As a youngster on a budget I used to dread the car MOT, but as time has gone on, I have come to respect the need for the third party view.

[nct1]

Shop around, I was quoted £300 - £600 by different people. The people recommended by the insurance company were more expensive.