Can Nansen Holt handle yacht claims for an insurer?

Yes. Nansen Holt can act as an external claims department: we take the first notification, contact the policyholder, collect documents, instruct a surveyor from our network, check repair quotations line by line and give a settlement recommendation with a figure, or settle within an agreed authority and report to you. Surveying and claims handling are kept as separate roles in every file, and the insurer keeps full instruction and audit rights. Terms are agreed per insurer.

Can you survey a yacht in a country where I have no contacts?

Yes. You send Nansen Holt the location and the vessel, and we assign an affiliated surveyor in that region. You deal with us in English or German; the surveyor on site speaks the local language.

How quickly can a surveyor attend?

That depends on the region and the season. We tell you the earliest realistic date in our first reply, together with the cost, so you can decide before anything is instructed.

What does a yacht survey cost?

Damage, condition and expert surveys are charged by the hour plus travel time and mileage, at one rate card worldwide. Pre-purchase surveys are a fixed price per metre of the yacht's length. You receive the figure in writing before we instruct a surveyor.

Who do I contract with?

With Nansen Holt. The affiliated surveyor acts as our subcontractor. You have one contract, one invoice and one contact, whatever country the vessel is in.

Who reviews the report?

Nansen Holt. Every report is checked against the photographs, the figures and the attachments before it is released.

Do you work for private owners and buyers, or only for insurers?

For all of them. Insurers, adjusters and law firms instruct us for claims and disputes; buyers for pre-purchase surveys abroad; owners for valuations, repair supervision, damage surveys and coding or flag inspections.

Condition and valuation survey

For underwriting, policy renewals, agreed values and finance: a structured assessment of the vessel's condition with a market value that underwriters and lenders can rely on.

Request a survey

What you get

Inspection of hull, deck, rig, machinery, systems and safety equipment
A clear condition grade, with findings graded and photographed
Recommendations by priority, including what must be done before cover or finance
A market value with the reasoning behind it
A report in English in the Nansen Holt format

When it helps

New insurance cover, or a renewal where the insurer asks for a current survey
Agreeing the insured value
Bank or leasing finance
After a change of owner or a major refit

How it works

Tell us the vessel, where she lies and what the survey is for. We confirm the surveyor, the date and the cost before anyone attends. You receive the report, reviewed before delivery.

Questions

Does the vessel need to be out of the water?

Many insurers want the hull and underwater fittings inspected out of the water. We confirm what your purpose requires before booking.

How is the market value determined?

From the condition found, the specification and comparable vessels on the market. The reasoning is stated in the report.

Is this the same as a pre-purchase survey?

No. A pre-purchase survey is more extensive and written for a buyer. See our pre-purchase surveys.

Request a survey

Write to claims@nansenholt.com or use the request form →

For insurers → · For owners → · Pre-purchase surveys →