How Long Does a Boat Survey Las for Insurance in Fort Myers – Two Part Answer

Whether you bought a bought for recreational purposes or use it for business, it is always important to get marine insurance. This will not only give you peace of mind as you sail and store your boat but also help avoid expensive costs if something goes wrong. The question, however, that almost every new boat owner asks is this: how long does a boat survey last for insurance? If this is the question on your mind, we will tackle it from two angles. The first is how long the survey is valid.

Validity

There is no simple answer to the question of how long does a boat survey last for insurance in terms of validity. This is because insurance companies have different rules. Some will accept a boat survey report that is as old as 5 years while others will only accept a report that is less than 2 years old.

In addition to the insurance company you are using, there are several other factors that will impact the validity of an insurance boat survey. The main ones are:

  • Age of the boat. Older boats are high risk and insurers will require a fresh survey before providing a policy
  • Type of boat. Wooden vessels need to be surveyed every 2 to 3 years.
  • Changes made to a boat. If you have made major upgrades to the boat since the last survey, you will need a fresh survey to be done to reflect the changes.
  • Use of the boat. Commercial vessels are exposed to harsh conditions frequently and thus require frequent surveys.

Duration of the Survey

As for how long does the survey last, the answer depends. The duration of a boat survey for insurance can vary depending on various factors such as:

  • The size and type of the boat,
  • The complexity of the inspection,
  • The qualifications and availability of the surveyor.

Generally, a boat survey for insurance can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day or more. In many cases, the insurer will provide a list of items that have to be inspected. The longer the list is, the more time it will take to complete the survey.

For smaller boats, a survey may take only a few hours, while larger vessels or those with more complicated systems and structures may require a more extensive inspection that can take a full day or longer. For thorough inspections, the surveyor may need to access various parts of the boat, such as the hull, deck, machinery, and electrical systems, and may also need to conduct sea trials to evaluate the boat’s performance and handling.

All things considered, it is always best to consult with your insurance company or the marine surveyor to get an estimate of how long the boat survey will take for insurance purposes.

How Long Does a Boat Survey Last for Insurance

How Long Does a Boat Survey Last for Insurance in Estero?

If you are applying for boat insurance, your insurance provider might have asked you to provide an insurance survey report. This is a survey done to determine the condition of the boat as well as its fair market value. While the survey is important for both you and the insurer, it is always good to ask the question of how long does a boat survey last for insurance. While the survey typically takes 8 hours for a boat of 50 feet, there is no definitive answer to this question. This is because there are numerous factors that determine how long the survey lasts. In this post, we will be looking at these factors.

Boat Factors

The boat being surveyed will have a significant impact on how long a survey lasts. Some vessels are easier to survey than others. As they answer the question of how long does a boat survey last for insurance in Estero, your boat surveyor will take into account a number of factors about your vessel. These factors include:

  • Age: Older vessels tend to take longer to survey than newer boat models. This is because everything will have to be done manually. There is no automation. The surveyor may also have to do more research to understand some parts of an old boat.
  • Size: It goes without saying that larger vessels will take more time to survey.
  • Structural layout: If the structural layout is simple and less detailed, the survey will take a shorter period. This is unlike where the structure is more detailed.

As you can see, the vessel being surveyed will have an impact on how long it takes to complete an insurance survey. To avoid poor services, only work with a surveyor that has worked on vessels that are similar to yours.

Environmental Factors

There are various environmental factors that will impact how fast a boat survey goes. Some of these factors include:

  • Weather. Bad weather may end up delaying the survey.
  • Lighting. If there is poor lighting below the deck, you can be certain that the surveyor will have a harder time completing the survey.
  • Areas being inspected. While your insurer will provide a list of the items that ought to be surveyed, some surveys take longer. This is especially so when it comes to the testing of onboard systems and if a haul-out will be needed.
  • Means of access. How easy is it to access the boat? If it is in a remote region, you can expect the survey to take longer.

Human Factors

You, as the boat owner, have a part to play in how long it takes to survey a boat for insurance in Estero. To speed up the process, you must ensure you maintain good communication with the surveyor and hire a surveyor that is experienced and well-equipped to handle the survey.

How Long Does a Boat Survey Last for Insurance