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.

Remote survey by live video

When the vessel lies far away and the damage does not justify travel: the owner or the yard holds the phone, and our surveyor directs the inspection live, records it and reports.

Request a survey

How it works

We agree a time with the owner, the skipper or the yard and send a short preparation list: what to have ready, which areas to open up, good light and a charged phone.
The surveyor connects by video call, for example WhatsApp, FaceTime or Teams, and tells the person on board exactly where to point the camera and what to open, tap, measure or move.
During the call the surveyor takes screenshots and records the session. Close-ups and measurements are confirmed on screen.
You receive a written report in the Nansen Holt format with the screenshots, findings, cause where it can be established, and repair recommendations.

When it makes sense

Smaller damage where travel costs would exceed the benefit
First assessment straight after an incident, to decide whether an attendance is needed
Follow-up checks after a repair or before a final payment
Vessels in remote locations, or when a surveyor cannot attend in time

Basis and limits

A remote survey is only as good as what the camera can show. The surveyor directs every view but cannot touch, sound or moisture-test the hull in person. The report states that the vessel was inspected remotely, names the person who held the camera, and lists what could not be assessed. Where an attendance is needed to settle a question, we say so and quote for it. A remote survey does not replace a full pre-purchase survey.

Questions

Which video app do you use?

WhatsApp, FaceTime, Teams or another app that works on site. We agree it with the person on board beforehand.

Is the call recorded?

Yes, with the consent of the person on board. Screenshots from the call go into the report.

When is a remote survey not suitable?

For pre-purchase surveys, for structural damage that needs sounding or moisture readings, and where the camera cannot reach the area. Then we recommend an attendance.

How to instruct

Use the form below. We confirm the date, the person on board and a fixed fee in writing before the call. You can also write to claims@nansenholt.com.