Guides
The insurance decision
A claim may involve a surveyor, repairer and insurer with different roles. Ask who appointed each person and what they have been asked to do. A technical opinion on repairability is not necessarily the insurer's coverage decision, and a repair quotation is not automatic authorisation to proceed.
What to clarify before relying on cover
Keep questions directed to the responsible party: technical scope to the assessor or repairer, policy decisions to the insurer. Request clarification if instructions appear inconsistent. Record the agreed scope and authority before non-urgent work begins.
Practical preparation
Keep a contact sheet identifying each person's role and authority. When an instruction arrives, record whether it is an assessment recommendation, a repair booking or insurer authorisation. This reduces the chance that work begins because a technical conversation was mistaken for confirmation that the cost would be paid.
- Appointment and role of each party
- Technical scope versus policy decision
- Written authority for the next stage
Worked example
A repairer says replacement is preferable while the assessor requests further testing. The owner asks for the agreed next step and who authorises its cost instead of treating either conversation as final settlement approval.
Put the decision in context
Keep the incident account, technical findings, cost estimates and policy decision as separate records. Each answers a different question. In an emergency, prioritise safety and appropriate assistance; document actions when safe to do so. For non-urgent expenditure, clarify the scope and authority before committing. Ask who makes the coverage decision and who manages repairs. If you disagree with an outcome, obtain the reasons and use the provider’s complaints process or appropriate advice.
Continue with Yacht Claim Assessment and Repair Guides for related decisions, or use the yacht insurance guide library to find another topic.
Prepare a clear insurance enquiry
Record the facts you can support, the evidence still missing and the precise decision you need. Keep the response beside the relevant policy document.
Frequently asked questions
Does the repairer's recommendation bind the insurer?
Not automatically. It is evidence for assessment; obtain the insurer's decision and required authorisation for the proposed work.
Does submitting a repair estimate authorise the work?
Not necessarily. Check the insurer’s process and obtain the required decision. A contractor booking, assessor recommendation and insurer approval can be different steps with different responsibilities.
Sources and limits
The official links below provide policy or manufacturer context. The preparation notes and scenarios are editorial guidance, not quotations from those sources. No model specification establishes insurance cover; check the documents applying to your own circumstances.
Related guides
- Yacht Claim Assessment and Repair Guides
- How to Make a Boat Insurance Claim
- Insurance Complaints and AFCA for Boat Owners
- Boat Insurance Policy Comparison Worksheet