Yacht Surveys
Insurance & Valuation Survey
Most marine insurers require a survey when binding or renewing cover on yachts above a certain age or value. SVG Marine delivers a condition and valuation report accepted by major UK and European underwriters.
An insurance and valuation survey focuses on the safety, structural integrity and current market value of a yacht. As an independent yacht surveyor, SVG Marine identifies anything that affects insurability — corrosion, outdated gas or electrical installations, expired safety equipment, structural concerns — and provides a current open-market valuation suitable for binding or renewing cover.
We tailor the report format to the insurer's requirements where known, and provide recommended remedial actions with realistic timelines. Insurance and valuation surveys are available throughout the UK, South Wales, Southampton, the Mediterranean and wider Europe.
Typical insurance-survey findings
A condition and valuation survey for marine insurance covers far more than the hull. Electrical distribution, fuel and freshwater systems, machinery condition and running gear are all inspected and photographed for the insurer's file.
Frequently asked questions
What is an insurance survey?
An insurance survey is a condition and valuation inspection that focuses on the safety, structural integrity and current market value of a yacht. The resulting report is formatted to satisfy a marine underwriter binding or renewing cover, and identifies any items affecting insurability.
When do insurers require a yacht survey?
Most marine insurers require a survey on vessels above a certain age (commonly 10–15 years) or above a certain insured value, at the point of binding cover, when changing insurer, or at periodic renewal — typically every five years.
How is an insurance survey different from a pre-purchase survey?
An insurance survey concentrates on safety, structural condition and current valuation for the insurer. A pre-purchase survey is broader — it covers everything that affects your decision to buy, including operational systems and a sea trial. Many buyers commission a pre-purchase survey that also satisfies the insurer's requirements.
What yacht valuation do you provide?
A current open-market valuation based on the vessel's age, specification, condition, equipment, location and recent comparable sales — written in a format accepted by major UK and European marine underwriters.
How often is an insurance and valuation survey required?
Most underwriters request a fresh insurance and valuation survey every five years, with shorter intervals on older or higher-value yachts. Cover may also need to be re-evaluated after a change of ownership, change of cruising area, significant refit or any insurable incident.
Will my insurer accept your report?
Yes. SVG Marine's insurance and valuation surveys are written to the format expected by major UK and European marine underwriters and are routinely accepted by them and their loss adjusters. We can also tailor the report to a named insurer's requirements where known in advance.
What if defects are identified during the survey?
Each finding is prioritised — items the insurer will want addressed before binding cover are clearly flagged, alongside items that are recommended within a defined timescale and items that are informational only. This makes it easy for the owner to triage remedial work and budget.
Do you carry out insurance and valuation surveys in Southampton, South Wales and the Mediterranean?
Yes — as a UK yacht surveyor SVG Marine routinely attends marinas across Southampton, the Solent, the South Coast, South Wales and the Mediterranean (Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Croatia and beyond) for insurance and valuation surveys.
How long does it take to receive the report?
On-board time is typically a half-day to a full day depending on size and complexity. The written insurance and valuation survey report is normally delivered within five to seven working days of the inspection.
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