Insurance surveys are done for people who need insurance on any watercraft.  Everyone needs insurance on their motor boat, jet ski, sailboat, houseboat, speedboat, performance boat, fishing boat, row boat or other vessel.    

An "insurance survey" details the entire vessel it is essentially a "Condition and Valuations Survey" only shorter.  A great emphasis is placed on safety during any survey done for insurance.  The safety of the vessel occupants is of the most consideration when insuring any vessel.  The second most important consideration is the seaworthiness and condition of the vessel.  

A "Fair Market Value" price of the vessel is always obtained in an "insurance survey".  The price the surveyor places on the vessel is generally what the vessel is insured for. 

Insurance surveys are done when a purchaser buys a boat and also usually every 5 years.  When insurance companies are changed a survey is usually required.  The cost to update a survey generally less than an original survey and will depend on the vessel.

An insurance survey may also cost less than a purchase survey since a sea trial may not be needed.  Since many insurance surveys are requested by boat owners and not boat purchases.  A boat owner usually knows what is wrong or what may need fixing.  While a "Pre-Purchase Survey" will list every defect or finding in detail an insurance survey will not.

Insurance surveys are very comprehensive and generally consist of about 15 or more typewritten pages.