The insurance boat survey is similar to the pre-purchase survey as far as scope and conditions are concerned, but mainly with emphasis on those items which affect the boat's safety and seaworthiness. As these survey reports include a valuation, the decorative state and other non-essentials have to be considered, but they are not emphasised.

Underwriters will usually take a yacht on risk 'warranted all recommendations are completed'. Reports are therefore written in such a way that only the essential matters are described as 'Recommendations', other advice is set out under 'Suggestions'.

It is very rare for Underwriters to ask for a follow-up inspection to confirm the recommendations have been properly completed on a particular yacht. However, if they are not, the Policy will be Void. You may want to have a revised valuation if a major refit has been completed following an insurance survey.

You may need advice on insuring a yacht after a major refit, because Underwriters may be reluctant to accept a very high hull value an older yacht. This can sometimes be resolved by listing the individual items separately in the Schedule.

My reports are accepted by all Insurance Underwriters in the UK.

Finally, you may not be aware that if your yacht is unseaworthy, under marine insurance law your policy is void. That remains the case even if the survey you submit to your Insurers is apparently satisfactory. It is therefore unwise to get a cheap and cursory insurance survey, because if it misses any important defects, you will not be insured. That you may ultimately have redress in law against the yacht surveyor is unlikely to be of much comfort at the time.

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