Marine Damage Surveys
Something happened to the boat and somebody now has to establish what, how bad, and what it costs to put right. That is a damage survey, and it is written to be read by an adjuster.
When a Damage Survey Is Needed
After a grounding, a collision, a lightning strike, a fire, a sinking or a storm. Also when a claim has been filed and the carrier wants an independent assessment rather than a repair yard’s estimate, which is a different document written by somebody with an interest in the repair.
Hurricane and named-storm damage on this coast is its own category. Water intrusion, electrical corrosion and hidden structural damage often appear weeks after the event, which is why a survey close to the incident matters.
Determining Cause and Extent
Cause and extent are separate findings and the report keeps them separate. Cause is what happened and, where it can be established, the mechanism. Extent is everything affected, including damage that is consequential rather than direct.
On a lightning strike, for example, the visible damage is rarely the whole loss. Bonding systems, electronics, charging systems and through-hull hardware can all be compromised without a mark on the exterior, and an assessment that stops at what is obvious understates the claim.
Findings are photographed and located. Where a determination cannot be made from what is accessible, the report says so rather than guessing, and recommends what would need to be opened up.
Working With Your Insurer
The report is structured the way a carrier expects to receive one: cause, extent, recommended repairs, and the standards each finding is measured against. I do not work for your insurer and I do not work for the repair yard.
If the number is smaller than you hoped, it will say that too. A survey that inflates a claim is worth nothing the moment somebody checks it, and the person it damages is you.
Book a Damage Survey
Call or email with the vessel, its location, what happened and your claim number if one has been issued. Your report is delivered the next day. Not next week.
A Damage Survey That Settled a Claim
Marine Surveys (Andrew) came out and did a survey for our 48 foot Albin after the marina damaged her during a haul out. The marina wanted to handle the damage at their own expense and got their own estimates that did not truly reflect the level of damage. After we provided them with this survey, they filed an insurance claim and now our boat is being properly handled for repair. Huge thank you!!!!!