Location Insurance

T

TWJP

Active member
Does anyone have recomendations for insurance companies to look at for on-location shooting?

I'll be shooting on some public property, and the state (CA) requires you to have $1 million in general coverage.

I've looked up a few on google and will call them soon, but if anyone knows of some insurance companies to look into, please tell!

This will be an ultra-low budget production... under 100k.
 
I've wondered this too!

I've wondered this too!

Yes, is it feasible on a sub 20K DV production? Does anyone know of companies who deal specifically with the film industry from the GTA?

This would be good to know.

I wanted to shoot a small scene but Cineplex/Galaxy wantd an insurance certificate.

Chris
 
I know this will sound stupid, but this does work.

Goto your local insurance carrier, and ask them about business insurance. Mostly General Liability with a 1 mil/2 mil payout. Tell them you are in the videography business and shoot commercials, video tutorials, short subject videos etc etc. (list business as Video/and Photo).

The polic can run about $500 for a year and has the same coverages as short term production insurance. ST Production insurance cost me $850 for 16 days of shooting, and would have cost me another 850 for pick up shots of one weekend. I got a policy for business, had the certificate holder named as the city I lived and shot it, and voila... you meet the state requirements, and spend half the money and are covered for a year as opposed to (short schedule)

Things to keep in mind... ST prod Incurance does not cover stunt work or the use of prop guns... If you mention it they won't insure you in the least bit. You have to do the same with business insurance. The only kind of insurance you can get when using weapons is very costly, or you have to pay Police Officers to be on set while the weapons are used (public sets). We did that for my film, although the city provided the police free of charge because the film was getting some decent press by our second weekend of shooting.

Shop around... State Farm does have policies for Video business.
 
Until very recently my wife worked in insurance for years. Most run of the mill insurance companies really don't know how to write liablility policies for production companies. And when they pretend to, it usually costs an arm and a leg. That's why the specialty companies exist that djfunkmaster mentioned. It has also become a little harder to get coverage from the mainstream companies over the last several years - they've gotten wiser due to losses.

Nevertheless, when we shot Radio Mechanics a couple of years ago we needed a couple Mil general liability policy to shoot some scenes on state owned property. We got it, through an agent, with a company called Liberty Northwest. I've kept it ever since and pay about $45/month - which I think is pretty reasonable.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys, I'll definitely look into the normal business insurance.
 
PrestonH said:
Until very recently my wife worked in insurance for years. Most run of the mill insurance companies really don't know how to write liablility policies for production companies. And when they pretend to, it usually costs an arm and a leg. That's why the specialty companies exist that djfunkmaster mentioned. It has also become a little harder to get coverage from the mainstream companies over the last several years - they've gotten wiser due to losses.

Nevertheless, when we shot Radio Mechanics a couple of years ago we needed a couple Mil general liability policy to shoot some scenes on state owned property. We got it, through an agent, with a company called Liberty Northwest. I've kept it ever since and pay about $45/month - which I think is pretty reasonable.
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Does anyone know if it can be this cheap here in Canada? I'm looking just to be covered for 16 days of shooting.
 
yes, do make sure to find an insurance company that has dealt with video/film before and that has a special poilcy for it. My producer always takes care of it for me, but I'll tell you this it is a bit of a hassle coordinating communication between city permit departments and insurance companies. Just make sure that when you get the city's rider and insurance payoff requirements that you get them properly filled in as a payee on your insurance forms.
 
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