Insurance requires a survey, but I don’t want one...

[O C Diver]

I dont think people trust durveyors to find everything....some of us know it snd dont understand why insursnce companies overly trust them and some of their reccomendations.

One only has to look at any number of websites featuring brain dead boat owner repairs to realize that most surveyors would catch a large percentage of the bottom 10 to 20% of accidents waiting to happen. Imo, that's what the purchase survey and insurance surveys are about. There are certainly a significant percentage of boat owners that may do a better job surveying their own boat. But then one has to ask whether they will be objective about siting things they don't wish to spend money on. Have a friend currently looking at boats in the 42' sub $75K range. You would amazed at the neglected maintenance and down right scary previous owner wiring on these boats.

While insurance surveys may be a hassle, my guess is that there are less accidents as a result which hopefully helps to keep premiums down. Now if I can just get my insurance company to let me self survey.

Ted

 

[tiltrider1]

I flew my surveyor from to Seattle to LA to survey the boat before I bought it. I also flew a systems specialist down. This cost me an additional $2000 beyond the cost of the survey. There are times when being cheap doesn’t pay.

 

[BandB]

He was the ONLY surveyor within 200 miles of Corpus Christi, a major port city, 6th largest port in the US, that did Steel Boats. I stand by my statement, it was his fault, not mine.


I trust you guys must be surveyors???

No, not surveyors but I'd also say that I've known owners encounter shortages of surveyors and fly them in. Most of the FL surveyors we're aware of get flown all over the place. Steel boat is difficult and I'd also suspect many might be knowledgeable of steel ships but lacking steel pleasure boat knowledge.

Did he come highly recommended for boats like yours or was it just "he's the only one here?"

Being the 6th largest port is irrelevant if one lacks applicable experience. A lot of difference between commercial ships and trawlers.

Definitely disappointing to pay for a service and not feel you get it. Bet if you had another steel boat in Corpus to be surveyed, you'd bring in someone from elsewhere. Whether they'd be better or not, would depend on who.

 

[jimisbell]

Steel boat is difficult and I'd also suspect many might be knowledgeable of steel ships but lacking steel pleasure boat knowledge.

Did he come highly recommended for boats like yours or was it just "he's the only one here?"

Being the 6th largest port is irrelevant if one lacks applicable experience. A lot of difference between commercial ships and trawlers.

Yes, that was the problem.There were several surveyors that did tankers, but only one that would do pleasure boats. I suspect he didnt really do pleasure boats but hated to let a fee go unclaimed. And he was recommended by the surveyor I first contacted that only did wood and fiberglass.


being 6th largest port was relevant only in that it was mentioned that surveyors were more prevalent in those kinds of areas. We have lots of surveyors if you are surveying a 100 ton cargo ship.

 

[BandB]

being 6th largest port was relevant only in that it was mentioned that surveyors were more prevalent in those kinds of areas. We have lots of surveyors if you are surveying a 100 ton cargo ship.

But all those cargo ship surveyors are sort of useless for your purposes and, unfortunately, Corpus Christi isn't exactly the center of yachting. I say yachting because the majority of steel pleasure boats being surveyed are very large. Very few steel pleasure boats under 80'. Bering builds a few but they don't have many in the US.

 

[O C Diver]

One only has to look at any number of websites featuring brain dead boat owner repairs to realize that most surveyors would catch a large percentage of the bottom 10 to 20% of accidents waiting to happen. Imo, that's what the purchase survey and insurance surveys are about. There are certainly a significant percentage of boat owners that may do a better job surveying their own boat. But then one has to ask whether they will be objective about siting things they don't wish to spend money on. Have a friend currently looking at boats in the 42' sub $75K range. You would amazed at the neglected maintenance and down right scary previous owner wiring on these boats.

While insurance surveys may be a hassle, my guess is that there are less accidents as a result which hopefully helps to keep premiums down. Now if I can just get my insurance company to let me self survey.

Ted

Throwing caution to the wind, I emailed my insurance broker/ agent about when I should expect my next required survey.

They're response:
There isn't a requirement. Surveys may be required randomly but there seems to be no clear trigger. There isn't a haulout requirement, most are owner self surveys, and those that aren't are done by a company employee.

I can live with that!

Ted

 

[jimisbell]

Throwing caution to the wind, I emailed my insurance broker/ agent about when I should expect my next required survey.

They're response:
There isn't a requirement. Surveys may be required randomly but there seems to be no clear trigger. There isn't a haulout requirement, most are owner self surveys, and those that aren't are done by a company employee.

I can live with that!

Ted

Gutsy move. I always believe in, "Let a sleeping dog lie." I would never stir up trouble by asking. In the Military we had a saying, "Its easier to get Forgiveness than to get Permission."

 

[Art]

Gutsy move. I always believe in, "Let a sleeping dog lie." I would never stir up trouble by asking. In the Military we had a saying, "Its easier to get Forgiveness than to get Permission."

"Dogs" have energy... even sleeping ones. To rustle said "dog" in discussion with or implications of any sort toward person having connection with that "dog" could make the "dog" come to life... maybe even become vicious.

Matter O' Fact: Sleeping "dogs" should not be revealed to anyone! Because those damn "dogs" can suck energy from anywhere to suddenly awake and come back to life.

Don't ask me how I know... and... your results may be different than mine. But - Watch Out for Your Sleeping "Dogs"

 

[O C Diver]

Gutsy move. I always believe in, "Let a sleeping dog lie." I would never stir up trouble by asking. In the Military we had a saying, "Its easier to get Forgiveness than to get Permission."

I knew I was tempting fate, but plan to do my bi-annual haul in September and would prefer not to do a second haul at the end of the year when my insurance renewed. I explained it to the broker that way, and was extremely happy with the information she provided.

Ted

 

[psneeld]

Ted, maybe the "randomness" of self surveys is based on boat type or use and/or owner experience.....but it sure isn't well known...