Do I Need a Marine Survey for Boat Insurance?

By Boatwork Team•October 15, 2026•6 min read

Do I need a marine survey for boat insurance? Only if your insurer requires one, and that is most likely for a used, older, larger or higher-value boat. A new boat usually does not need one. The rules differ by carrier, so the reliable move is to ask before you buy.

When Insurers Ask for a Marine Survey

Progressive's guide to surveys for boat insurance says some insurers require a survey before covering a boat of a certain age, length or value. It adds that you typically will not need one for a new watercraft, but many insurers will not cover a used boat that has not been surveyed.

Carriers also differ from each other. SkiSafe's explainer on marine surveys for insurance notes that some providers survey nearly all boats, while others ask only when a vessel passes a certain age or length. A gap between the value you request and the boat's market value, or reports of previous damage or claims, can also trigger a requirement. About the Boat's survey FAQ describes newer boats, often under 10–15 years old, as ones many insurers do not require a survey for, and older boats, often 15–25+ years old, as ones insurers frequently require a current survey for.

Your situation	Survey likely?	Why
New boat	Usually not	Progressive says new watercraft typically do not need one
Newer used boat	Often not	Requirements vary by carrier
Older, larger or higher-value used boat	Often yes	Age, length and value are common triggers
Requested value far from market value	Possibly	SkiSafe lists value mismatches as a trigger
Previous damage or claims	Possibly	SkiSafe lists these as a trigger
Switching insurers	Possibly again	A new carrier may accept a recent survey, but may not

Which Type of Survey Insurers Want

Insurers usually want a condition and value survey, often shortened to C&V. The American Boat & Yacht Council explains that a limited condition and valuation survey is often done specifically for insurance, and that each insurance company sets its own rules for which age and size of vessel needs one and what the report must include. The same page says an insurance C&V report is not enough to make an informed purchase decision.

That is the difference from a pre-purchase survey, which is more comprehensive and often includes operational testing and a sea trial. Clovered's guide to boat surveys for insurance says an insurance survey may include a sea trial, but it is not always required and depends on the insurer. If you are also buying the boat, read our breakdown of the pre-purchase boat survey, sea trial and report before deciding which one to order.

What an Insurance Survey Costs

SkiSafe says to expect to pay around $20 per foot. About the Boat gives a rough guideline of $500–$1,500 and says that spending can save thousands in unexpected repairs or help you negotiate a lower purchase price. Vessel size, survey type, travel and add-ons like haul-out move the total, so our guide to what a marine survey costs is a better place to build a budget.

Who Is Allowed to Do the Survey

This is where owners get caught. The American Boat & Yacht Council points out that marine surveying is not a regulated or licensed industry, so anyone can call themselves a surveyor. It adds that many insurance companies and banks require a credentialed member of the National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) or the Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS). SkiSafe says self-surveys, or surveys done by marinas or brokers, are usually unacceptable.

Paying for a survey your insurer will not accept is the costly mistake, so confirm the credential first.

Questions to Ask Before You Book

Is a survey required for my boat's age, length and value, and is it required before a quote or only before binding coverage?
Which credentials do you accept, such as NAMS or SAMS?
What must the report include, and does it need a sea trial?
Does the boat need to be hauled out? Clovered says it will likely need to come out of the water, and nonessential gear may need to be cleared.
Do you need a separate engine survey for an outboard, inboard or sterndrive? SkiSafe notes most surveyors are not engine experts and may recommend a qualified engine surveyor.
Will you accept a survey I already have if I am switching carriers?

Do Not Confuse It with a Sanitary Survey

If your search turned up the EPA, note the difference. The EPA's sanitary surveys for recreational waters are tools for investigating pollution sources in a water body. They are used by waterbody managers and have nothing to do with insuring your boat.

Finding a Surveyor on Boatwork

Boatwork is a marketplace, not a surveyor. You describe the job, choose which vetted marine pros to contact, and get free, no-obligation estimates only from those pros. Browse the Boat Surveying & Inspection category and compare profiles. For example, Bolz Marine Survey in Camdenton, Missouri lists insurance surveys required by underwriters among its work. Sun Coast Marine Surveying in Tampa lists yacht surveying as its specialty and shows a 4.9 Google rating from 670 reviews. East West Marine Survey in Delray Beach states that its lead surveyor is a SAMS Surveyor Associate.

Whether a given surveyor's credentials satisfy your carrier is your insurer's call, so ask the surveyor about credentials and the insurer about acceptance. Coastal owners should also read our guide to boat insurance coastal risks and haul-out endorsements.

Looking for a pro? Compare Boat Insurance pros on Boatwork.

FAQ: Marine Surveys and Boat Insurance

Do I need a survey to get a boat insurance quote?

Sometimes. SkiSafe says many insurers require a survey before insuring or even quoting a boat. Ask the insurer when you request the quote.

Does a new boat need a survey for insurance?

Typically not, according to Progressive. Bluefin Marine Consultants adds that a new boat can still benefit from a third-party survey, especially if it sat in inventory or was transported a long way.

Can I survey my own boat for insurance?

Usually not. SkiSafe says self-surveys are typically unacceptable, so plan on a credentialed third-party surveyor.

Will a survey cover my engine?

Not in depth. A hull-and-systems survey reviews the engine area, but SkiSafe says most surveyors are not engine experts. If your insurer wants the powerplant checked, ask whether it needs a separate engine survey for your outboard, inboard or sterndrive.