What the owner is paying for
An independent marine surveyor or adviser acting for the owner reviews the policy wording, inspects the boat, assesses the cause and extent of damage, reviews the boatyard's estimate and the insurer's surveyor's report, and prepares a reasoned response on disputed items. Where damage is hidden, the adviser may recommend moisture testing, keel bolt checks, engine inspection or rig examination.
On larger claims, the work extends to negotiating with the insurer, monitoring repairs, checking invoices against the agreed scope and following up until payment. For a total loss, it includes testing the agreed or market value and the salvage figure.
The value of this work lies in having someone with technical knowledge read the insurer's report critically. Owners who are experienced sailors are not always familiar with the way surveyors describe causation, depreciation and repair methods, and a short professional review can reveal whether the report is reasonable.
Two separate services
Some owners only need a one-off survey report to challenge a specific point, which is usually charged as a flat fee or by the hour. Others want full representation through to settlement, which is more often charged as a percentage. Clarifying which you need prevents paying for more than necessary.
| Size of claim | Indicative fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 10,000 | Flat fee or hourly; 10 % to 15 % if percentage-based |
| 10,001 to 50,000 | 8 % to 12 % |
| 50,001 to 150,000 | 6 % to 9 % |
| 150,001 to 500,000 | 4 % to 7 % |
| Over 500,000 | 3 % to 5 %, or negotiated |
Indicative amounts, to be checked with each expert.
Indicative percentage bands
No official tariff governs fees for owners' representatives in yacht claims in the UK, the United States, Canada, Australia or Ireland. The table gives an order of magnitude observed in the market for full representation, in US dollars or equivalent. It is indicative and non-official.
In the United States, public adjusters are licensed by individual states, and some states, such as Florida and Texas, cap public adjuster percentages for certain types of claim. Whether those rules apply to a boat claim depends on the state, the licence and the type of policy, so check with the state insurance department.
Rates also vary with region and season. After a major storm, demand for surveyors rises sharply and availability may matter more than price; in quieter periods, owners may find it easier to compare quotes and negotiate. A surveyor who is local to the boat usually keeps travel costs down and knows the repair yards in the area.
Charging models for leisure craft
Leisure craft claims are often small enough that the charging model matters as much as the rate.
- Flat fee for a damage survey and written report, often scaled to the boat's length
- Hourly rate for reviewing documents, attending a joint inspection or writing a rebuttal
- Percentage of the total settlement for full representation
- Percentage of the extra amount obtained above the insurer's offer
- Minimum fee per instruction, with travel and haul-out costs on top
Hidden extras
A proper inspection may require the boat to be lifted, pressure-washed or partly stripped, and those yard charges are usually separate from the surveyor's fee. Travel to remote moorings, specialist rigging or engine inspections, and laboratory moisture analysis also add up. Check whether prices include VAT, GST or sales tax, and whether expenses are charged at cost or with a margin.
Will your insurer contribute?
The insurer pays for its own surveyor. Many yacht policies also cover reasonable costs to prevent further loss, such as salvage, towing, pumping out and lift-out, which can be significant after a sinking. These mitigation costs are different from the owner's adviser's fee.
Few standard pleasure craft policies include cover for the owner's claims adviser, although some premium yacht wordings mention professional fees within a limit. If such cover exists, it may require the insurer's prior consent. Ask your broker or insurer in writing before engaging help on the assumption that it will be reimbursed.
Keep every receipt for emergency measures and note the time and date of each action. Insurers often reimburse these costs promptly when they are documented and clearly reasonable, which reduces the owner's cash outlay even when the adviser's own fee remains a private expense.
Costs across small, medium and large claims
For a minor claim, for example USD 6,000 of gelcoat and stanchion damage, a percentage-based representative is rarely worthwhile. If the insurer's estimate seems low, an hourly review or a short survey report for a flat fee may resolve the point at a reasonable cost.
For a medium claim, such as USD 60,000 of damage to a sailing yacht after a grounding, full representation at an indicative 8 per cent would cost about USD 4,800 plus expenses and tax. If the adviser charges only on the improvement over an insurer's first offer of USD 45,000, and the agreed figure becomes USD 58,000, a 15 per cent share of the USD 13,000 difference would be about USD 1,950.
For a large yacht with a claim of USD 800,000 after a fire, the percentage falls, but the work grows to include specialist engineers, rigging experts and careful scrutiny of the total loss threshold. A negotiated rate, possibly blended with hourly work, is common at this level.
In each case, the useful question is not whether the fee seems high in absolute terms, but whether the adviser is likely to improve the outcome by more than the cost, for example by identifying hidden structural damage, reducing betterment deductions on sails and electronics or correcting a low market valuation.
How banded charging works in practice
When each band applies only to its slice, a USD 60,000 claim using the indicative mid-points might be charged 12.5 per cent of the first USD 10,000 and 10 per cent of the next USD 40,000, plus 7.5 per cent of the last USD 10,000, totalling about USD 6,000. A single 8 per cent rate on the whole sum gives USD 4,800. Ask for the calculation on your own figures.
Picking the right adviser
Look for accreditation with a recognised surveying body and experience with your type of boat, whether sail, power, wood, steel or composite. Local knowledge of boatyards and repair costs is valuable. Price comparisons only make sense when the scope of work is the same.
The engagement letter should state the service, fee base, rate, minimum, expenses, payment terms and what is owed if the claim is declined or withdrawn. Avoid anyone who promises a guaranteed outcome or encourages you to exaggerate damage, which could invalidate the claim.
- Ask for a flat-fee quote for the survey and a separate quote for representation
- Confirm who pays for lift-out and testing
- Check your policy for any professional fees cover
- Keep all reports and invoices for your claim file
Organisations offering this service
- International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS): International professional institute for marine surveyors, operating regional websites and publishing regular news bulletins for its members worldwide.
- International Institute of Marine Surveying (IIMS): International professional body for marine surveyors, providing training, accreditation and a worldwide network of member surveyors organised by region.
- W K Webster & Co: UK-based group specialising in marine and transport claims, offering claims handling, surveying coordination and recovery services.
- Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters (CILA): Chartered UK professional body for claims and loss adjusting professionals, responsible for training, qualifications and standards across the claims profession.
External links provided for information only; check the terms directly with each organisation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a damage survey cost for a small boat?
It varies with boat size, location and the work involved, and is often a flat fee. Ask for a written quote that states what is included and whether lift-out is extra.
Is a percentage fee fair on a small claim?
Often not. For small claims an hourly or flat-fee review usually gives better value than a percentage with a minimum.
Does my yacht insurance pay for my own surveyor?
Usually not, unless the policy includes professional fees cover. Mitigation costs like towing and lift-out are a separate matter and are often covered.
Can I change adviser mid-claim?
Usually yes, but check the termination clause, since some agreements charge for work done or a share of the eventual settlement.
For boat owners, the cheapest route is often a targeted survey on a small claim and full representation only when the stakes justify it. Read the terms and your policy before you sign.