Insurance?
- Thread starter jlaurili
- Start date
alacritymedia
Active member
Great question. Somebody out there must have a good hook up, clue us in.
Blair S. Paulsen
RedOne #19
Blair S. Paulsen
RedOne #19
Holosynthetic
Active member
what kind of policy is good for those who don't have a business?
Gibby
Red Savant
I'm sure that the cost will vary from in different parts of the world, but in the USA, a $1,000,000 USD All-Risk liability insurance policy, with equipment replacement coverage for maybe $50,000 worth of equipment ranges from maybe $1,600 to $2,500 per year. If you're going to get permits to shoot at any public places, most government agencies require a copy of a $1,000,000 All-Risk insurance policy. If your crew or equipment injures someone, and they bring a lawsuit against you, having All-Risk insurance can mean the difference between keeping yourself in business, or going bankrupt.
I also travel with an International Carnet, where I sign my equipment into and out of each country with Customs. That way if the equipment is stolen or destroyed while you travel, I have a way to prove to the insurance company that I took it with me on the trip. It is not expensive.
Link: http://www.atacarnet.com/
You can insure cameras with a rider to your homeowners or renters insurance for a few hundred dollars per year, but going that route you get no liability coverage, and you won't be able to pull permits at public venues without the $1 million dollar all-risk insurance. RED One, when accessorized isn't going to be able to be passed off as a consumer camera to permit-hungry municipalities.
I also travel with an International Carnet, where I sign my equipment into and out of each country with Customs. That way if the equipment is stolen or destroyed while you travel, I have a way to prove to the insurance company that I took it with me on the trip. It is not expensive.
Link: http://www.atacarnet.com/
You can insure cameras with a rider to your homeowners or renters insurance for a few hundred dollars per year, but going that route you get no liability coverage, and you won't be able to pull permits at public venues without the $1 million dollar all-risk insurance. RED One, when accessorized isn't going to be able to be passed off as a consumer camera to permit-hungry municipalities.
briferg
Red Team
I have a great company
Insurance West, 2450 Tapo Street, Simi valley CA 93063
805-579-1900
The agent I know there is, Ross Garner
I was in dire need of production insurance for a project a couple of years ago. I was at the crossroads of being a hired Director/Cameraman to doing the whole production. I called a lot of companies and most either didn't call back or acted like I wasn't serious because "why don't you have insurance now" you don't - so you must not be a "real" company. Well I was incorporated in 2001 and I didn't need it before because I did turn key jobs for other production companies.
Long story shorter after calling everyone I could in the LA411 and referals I had one guy who called back and talked to me like a human being. Not only did he call back but he drove down to the O.C. from Simi Valley to close the deal and got me a production package insurance with a great carrier in less than 5 days. I refer everyone I know to him they can tailor a policy for shooters or gaffers with trucks, to full blown production and liability insurance. These policies also help you rent gear from camera rental houses when you need some extra PL lenses for you new Red One. I don't know if this helps outside of California. He has saved some of my friends a lot on their premiums and got them better coverage as well. My equipment coverage extends internationally but not my liability.
Some of the other companies finally called me back 2 months later.
briferg
aka Brian Ferguson
Insurance West, 2450 Tapo Street, Simi valley CA 93063
805-579-1900
The agent I know there is, Ross Garner
I was in dire need of production insurance for a project a couple of years ago. I was at the crossroads of being a hired Director/Cameraman to doing the whole production. I called a lot of companies and most either didn't call back or acted like I wasn't serious because "why don't you have insurance now" you don't - so you must not be a "real" company. Well I was incorporated in 2001 and I didn't need it before because I did turn key jobs for other production companies.
Long story shorter after calling everyone I could in the LA411 and referals I had one guy who called back and talked to me like a human being. Not only did he call back but he drove down to the O.C. from Simi Valley to close the deal and got me a production package insurance with a great carrier in less than 5 days. I refer everyone I know to him they can tailor a policy for shooters or gaffers with trucks, to full blown production and liability insurance. These policies also help you rent gear from camera rental houses when you need some extra PL lenses for you new Red One. I don't know if this helps outside of California. He has saved some of my friends a lot on their premiums and got them better coverage as well. My equipment coverage extends internationally but not my liability.
Some of the other companies finally called me back 2 months later.
briferg
aka Brian Ferguson
firewallet
Well-known member
saturnin said:
Too much wiggle room to get screwed. I would not suggest it. Unless of course your camera never ever leaves the house. I have seen it happen to many a guy with their dv cam (that is get screwed by the insurance company).
Brian and Gibby, great info. I will be going to France and hopefully Lisbon (yeah that's you E-) next year after I get my RED and I was curious how to handle this.
Holosynthetic since you will be doing alot location shooting play it safe and go with Brian and Gibby, things happen on set and home owners or renters will not cover it.
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Thanks, some great ideas. Is an All-Risk insurance policy a generic policy for a business to cover all equipment, or should I be looking for specific policy/insurers that deal video equipment? Any recommendations on good companies to get a policy from? It would be great to get a blanket policy to cover all my equipment for personal and business use.
I have also seen a "Inland Marine Insurance Policy" suggested many times on the web.
I have also seen a "Inland Marine Insurance Policy" suggested many times on the web.
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Gibby
Red Savant
I'd suggest that you get an All-Risk policy from an agent/agency that specializes in media indiustry All-Risk. That way the contract is structured with language and coverages that are specifically tailored to media production. The guy Brian recommended sounds real good, plus he may write annual policies. Over 80% of world's entire volume of entertainment media is produced within a 50 mile radius of downtown Los Angeles, so the L.A. area would be a good place to look for a policy. Let your fingers do the walking via an Internet search. You probably wouldn't find a blanket policy for business and personal from these kind of agents. If you get an All-Risk policy from them, then adding in a simple, inexpensive homeowners or renters policy would cover your personal needs.
Jaime Valles
Veteran
Ditto. I looked online, but I'd much rather get a personal recommendation from someone that has had a good experience with an insurance company in NYC for this type of coverage.dvxnerd said: