Types of policies EXPLAINED:

GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE: Also known as “GL” coverage, this protects the policyholder if a third  party (like an injured bystander) makes a claim against the  policyholder. The standard limits on these policies is $1,000,000 per occurrence with a policy aggregate limit (i.e., policy maximum, regardless of  the number of claims) of $2,000,000.

INLAND MARINE INSURANCE: Also know as “equipment floaters” or “equipment cover” or “property  cover”, this insurance covers  insured property for damage to,  or theft of, that property. There are two main types. First, equipment rental houses typically require filmmakers to buy equipment coverage that protects the rental house’s equipment. This is rented equipment coverage. Filmmakers can also buy  equipment coverage for their own equipment, or owned equipment  coverage. The amount of the insurance (aka the limits) is the total value of the equipment.

WORKERS COMPENSATION INSURANCE: Most states’ laws require employees to have workers compensation coverage, even if they are only an employee for a day. SAG has rules for actors working under SAG contracts. For short-term films, filmmakers often use the services of payroll companies who provide workers compensation insurance along with payroll services. However, the film production company can purchase coverage for their own entity.

COMMERCIAL AUTO INSURANCE: This is commercial automobile coverage, also known as “non-owned and hired auto” (“NOHA”) coverage, and it’s different than personal auto coverage one has for their own car. A driver’s personal automobile insurance can have limitations (aka exclusions) on the use of their car for business purposes, so do terms and conditions on car rental company contracts. (Read the terms!) This is where commercial auto coverage comes in. If a filmmaker rents a van to carry around their equipment, they will likely need some kind of commercial NOHA auto coverage. Once again, there are two types. The standard is liability coverage, which, like general liability coverage, protects from liability claims made against the policyholder. Limits of $1,000,000 are common. Auto liability coverage does not cover damage to the vehicle! So, the second type is property insurance for damage to the vehicles themselves. This is auto physical damage coverage (often called “comprehensive” and “collision” coverage).

EXCESS OR UMBRELLA INSURANCE:  If higher auto or liability limits are required, extra limits on top of the  primary limits can be purchased. For example, it’s not uncommon to buy a  $1,000,000 excess policy over a $1,000,000 GL policy, to reach a total  of $2,000,000 per occurrence limits.

What’s a “certificate of insurance”?

Once you have a policy in effect, your insurance broker can create a “certificate of insurance” often on a commonly used form called an “Acord 25”. This industry standard form document shows basic details about the policy, such as the limits, policy term, and policy number. They are not official insurance company documents and they are not the same as a “binder” or a “declarations page” or a policy.

Certificates of insurance are often required by equipment rental houses, or anyone else requiring the filmmaker to have insurance. Equipment rental houses often require to be named as a “loss payee” on a certificate of insurance. Property owners requiring you to get them a certificate of insurance often require they be named as an “additional insured” on the certificate.

What does “loss payee” mean?

If an equipment rental house is a “loss payee” under a policy, then they’re paid directly by the insurance carrier for damage to their equipment if a claim occurs. This is used on equipment floater/property policies.

Pro Tip: If someone requires that they be named a loss payee on a policy, then it’s critical that the insurance company be informed of this before the policy is bound. Most insurance policies do not automatically have loss payee provisions in them. If the loss payee is not specifically covered in the policy, then the Acord certificate of insurance listing them as a loss payee is not worth the paper it’s written on.

What does “additional insured” mean?

Building or venue owners often require to be added as an “additional insured” on general liability policies. In a nutshell, it means that if there’s a claim, the additional insured will be protected under the general liability policy in addition to the policy’s purchaser.

NOTE: Ask a professional! We are here to help you navigate these things.

Start with the following….

Policy Contact Info

1) Name (Exact legal name of entity, such as the name of the LLC production company or an individual’s name)

2) Address (must be physical address—no P.O. Box), City, State, Zip code

3) Role of the person applying for the insurance (e.g., Exec Producer, Producer, Director, Production Manager, etc.)

4) Contact phone number

5) Often, a driver’s license or ID from a producer is required.

Insurance History for the Entity

6) Any insurance declined or cancelled in the past 3 years? Yes/No

7) Any claims/losses in the past 3 years? Yes/No

8) Any prior insurance coverage? Yes/No

9) If yes, details of the prior insurance insurer (dates, insurer, policy number).

Production Details:

10) Title

11) Total Budget

12) Exact Production Dates (or your best estimate now)

13) Filming Location (all states and countries)

14) Address of primary filming location (including venue name, if any)

15) Synopsis

Other Details:

1) Maximum number of people on set at once

2) Total number of people involved in production who will be on site over the requested policy period

3) Will security be hired to protect the equipment? (Y/N) If no, then why not (is it a private venue)?

4) Will you be leaving any equipment in vehicles at night?