While it is not mandatory, insuring your boat will safeguard your investment in the event of an accident. However, it is good to note that there are certain conditions you have to meet before your boat can be insured. When insuring a boat of a certain age, value, or length, some boat insurance companies will demand that you provide a Naples FL marine survey. The purpose of the survey is to help the insurer understand the condition of your boat and its market value.
There is no simple answer to the question of can you insure a boat without a survey. This is because different insurance companies have varying demands when insuring boats. However, in many cases, you will typically not need to provide a marine survey report if your vessel is new. It is, however, important to understand that most insurers will not cover your boat until you provide insurance coverage. With that in mind, when approaching an insurance company for a boat survey in Naples FL, ask them if they require a marine survey done. This is important because it costs money to get a watercraft surveyed. You need to be prepared for these costs.
What is done during a survey?
As you may already know, a marine survey is a detailed inspection of a watercraft’s interior and exterior. As the surveyor inspects the vessel, he will make notes of all potential issues the boat has as well as provide a list of documentation. The survey report will list the current condition as well as the seaworthiness of the boat. It also gives details on the estimated value of the vessel.
How long a marine survey takes will depend on a number of things including:
- The size of the boat
- Age of the vessel
- Type of survey
- Extended testing such as sea trial and haul-out
- Prior preparation
A marine survey can take a full day if you need an in-depth condition and value survey. However, for insurance surveys, the insurer will mostly provide you with a list of items that need to be inspected. The survey is usually less comprehensive but rather more focused. Always speak with your insurance company beforehand to know what will be required in the survey report.
Hopefully, this post has sufficiently answered the question of can you insure a boat without a survey. The next thing you need to do is find a reputable marine surveyor in Naples FL to perform the survey. The surveyor you hire should be accepted by your insurer.