It is becoming more common for boat insurance underwriters to require a partial or complete boat survey on craft of a certain age before they will offer insurance. In some instances they will accept an assessment or survey of the Hull only, combined with a Boat Safety Examination. This type of boat survey is limited to the areas externally accessible, below water hull areas and external components of the rudder and sterngear only. The quality of the build, the degree and relevance of wear and a direction on future maintenance form components to this survey.

The written report generated by the boat survey, offers recommendations on wear and future maintenance aimed to be of use to the boat owner as well as the boat insurance underwriters. By the very nature of this type of boat survey the craft must have been docked or removed from the water prior to the survey.