What coverages are available through anual film production insurance policies?
Annual film production insurance policies typically come with several standard coverages and more optional ones. Some of the protections that a policy could offer are:
- General Liability Coverage, which may cover common accidents that occur at shoot locations or a studio
- Professional Liability Coverage, which may cover copyright infringement, privacy invasion and defamation allegations
- Equipment Protection Coverage, which may cover studio-owned recording and editing equipment
- Owned/Rented Equipment Coverage, which may cover leased or rented recording and editing equipment
- Props Coverage, which may cover items used on set (e.g. props, jewelry, wardrobes, vehicles, etc.)
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Coverage, which may cover drones used for filming locations and scenes
- Commercial Auto Coverage, which may cover studio-owned vehicles and/or other vehicles used for filming
- Cast and Crew Coverage, which may cover costs if filming must cease due to a cast member’s illness, injury or death
Cast and crew coverage is most often purchased when a lead role is integral to a film. It’s frequently used when shooting feature-length films and other long projects, and the coverage often is restricted to only lead actors/actresses.
How can studios insure the vehicles they use?
Vehicles that are used for shooting, broadcasting or acting usually must be insured. These vehicles might be insured with either of two types of commercial auto insurance.
Traditional commercial auto insurance is normally used to insure vehicles that a business owns. Within an annual film production policy, the coverage might extend to broadcast trucks, video-equipped trucks and cars that a studio owns.
Hired and non-owned auto insurance typically insures vehicles that a business doesn’t own. Any of those mentioned vehicles might be covered with this coverage if a studio rents them.
An experienced insurance agent can help studios make sure they have the type of auto coverage that’s appropriate for the vehicles they use.
How much do annual film production policies cost?
Compared to short term film production policies that cover a single project, annual film production policies usually cost more because they cover multiple projects. If filming at least a few projects throughout the course of a year, an annual policy is likely the more economical option.
Among annual film production policies, premiums can vary quite significantly. Some factors that commonly influence rates are a studio’s location, filming locations, types of scenes, and budget.
How can Massachusetts studios get annual video production insurance?
For help insuring multiple video projects taking place in Massachusetts, contact the independent insurance agents at Scotti Insurance Agency. Our agents will review your projects and coverage needs with you, and then we’ll work hard to find an annual video production insurance policy that meets those needs well.
