Liability Insurance

smithgallTV

smithgallTV

Active member
I am shooting a video at a building in our downtown. The property management needs us to carry liability insurance and workman’s comp. We had the same requirements from the city if we were to shoot on public property such as a park. How do you all handle that? My quote for the one day is $687. On a 7500 budget that is significant. Is this just a cost of doing business? If so how could I lessen that affect on future projects? I don’t do enough yet to carry a full policy all year and even if I did how would that work. I have not run into this problem before.

any suggestions on how to get around it all? I did get one suggestion to have some other company extend their coverage to inlcude that and then pay them something and sign an agreement to cover any deductable that may result if a claim is filed. If that is reasonable I thought of askingt the sandwich shop guy in the building. I will probably use him for crafts services so he is making something as it is.

Michael Smithgall
 
I have ran into this problem once. I was planning on a show on the local public access channel and they told me that I would need insurance. I would still needed the insurance I shoot and edit everything completely off of their property. I would need insurance to walk inside their office and drop off my tape or DVD!!!! Now that sounds crazy but I hear that is how they are....I have yet to get the insurance as I am told its hard to get because a lot of companies don't offer the kind of insurance I would need.
 
the sandwich shop insurance probably doesn't cover video production or video/film crew ..
try approaching other production company's ...
perhaps there's a non profit media company in your area that provides insurance or they have a 'deal" with somebody ... in SF area the film arts foundation has a deal with a company = was 900 year for 1 mil liability ..and i believe i paid little under 700 to cover small crew, actors for 3 months of workmans comp (nobody was paid wages) .. if you pay wages then workmans comp rate is higher ...
 
funny thing as i spend the afternoon talking insurence. 3500 for one year and that covers everything from liability to if a break something at Joes bar while shooting there. I am covered for one year for all my video work ( except stunts and piro) also does not include work comp that is cheap like 300 per film
 
Does it inlclude projects that have rap music? I keep seeing that on policies. "No stunts, no weaopns, no animals, no pyro, no rap music"
 
your 100 percent right no rap no pyro no stunts but I can use smoke bombs to simulate the aftermath of an explosion. but this will cover me for one year any producitons i am doing. does it sound high? To tell you the truth I am wondering if i should just Gonzo it and hope for the best. but I know it will be hard to lock down locations with out it.
 
The price sounds a bit on the high end, but the policy itself is a good idea if you shoot at locations that would otherwise not allow you to be there. I've seen policies for the same coverage and same price you got that are only good for a month or two (single production policy). I figure you never really know if you got a good deal until you have to file a claim. :)

I've been able to land some great locations for free, but the owners usually require insurance. When you consider the insurance fee the biggest part of your location budget it starts to look a little better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top