T&T: Annapolis Surveyor (Hartoft)

[Jim Healy]

>Jim wrote: " His verbal report to me at the end of the sea trial  
>focused on important things and their approximate repair costs, 
>but when I received his written  report, with 26 pages of findings, 
>I really had difficulty separating the wheat  from the chaff.  More 
>importantly, so did insurance companies to whom I  subsequently
>submitted that survey."
>
>I think they have cleared that up now. My survey distinguished  
>between "underwriting issues" , which were called out separately   
>within each of the sections, which in turn were classified as  
>"Essential"(need to address) "Required" (should address soon) and  
>"Desirable" (nice to have). Of course even this didn't prevent one  
>insurance brokerage company (well known to this list) from getting  
>discombobulated anyway and just about blowing the sale, until I found  
>one that "got it" (and wrote the policy with the same company as the  
>first would have used). Make very sure you are told in writing by the  
>insurer exactly what they expect you to correct.
>Anyway, I have found the survey and its process very useful.

George,
 
What you describe is the manner in which my survey report was formatted.
Most of the items highlighted as "Underwriting Issues" were subsequently
flagged by my then insurance company.  Many, in my opinion, we not
seaworthiness or safety items.  My point is, Mr. Hartoft was employed by me
and paid by me to be my advisor.  When he incorporates a flag in the body of
his survey report like "Underwriting Issues," or similar, I think that's
inappropriate.  He is not there acting as an agent for any insurance
underwriter, is not being employed or paid by one, and should not be
subliminally suggesting to a potential insurer that it is his opinion that
they should flag certain items.  What I think should occur is that his cover
letter of transmittal of the survey report should say TO ME that he feels,
for example, that items 1-6, 8, 10 and 17 might be viewed by an underwriter
as seaworthiness or safety issues requiring immediate resolution.  That
makes me aware of his OPINION, but does not suggest action to an underwriter
that someone else thinks they should set a red flag.  
 
Remember, I am his customer, not the insurance underwriter(s).  I'm certain
he does lots of surveys for insurance companies, but when he's working for
me and being paid by me, I expect him to represent MY interests, and
insulate ME from, not expose me to, insurance issues.  You don't expect your
tax advisor to call your tax saving decisions to the attention of the IRS,
right?  You don't expect your doctor to tell your employer about your
medical problems, right?  And you don't expect your real estate agent to
tell a buyer what you'll settle for.  Why would you expect your surveyor to
tell underwriters what to flag?
 
I AM NOT SUGGESTING MR. HARTOFT OR HIS PARTNER ARE BAD SURVEYORS.  I AM
SIMPLY SAYING YOU SHOULD NEGOTIATE THE RIGHT TO - MUTUALLY - EDIT THE FINAL
REPORT TO MEET YOUR NEEDS.  You are paying the bill.  That survey can cost
you - or save you - thousands of dollars, and can have a life of many years.
The survey work product should work for you at the time of purchase and
through the years that follow.
 
Peg and Jim Healy aboard Sanctuary,
currently at Punta Gorda, FL