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.