2007Legal / Business Practices forum
Liability insurance options and coverage levels for production and equipment work
19 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- General liability insurance is recommended as an inexpensive addition to equipment coverage
- Being hired as an employee rather than a subcontractor significantly reduces personal liability exposure, as the production company becomes the primary defendant in injury claims
- Liability coverage can be obtained through insurance brokers who work with entertainment-focused insurers
- Typical general liability coverage starts at two million dollars, though higher limits may be required for specialized work like aerial or underwater filming
- Comprehensive entertainment insurance packages can include coverage for hired vehicles, rented equipment, props, sets, negative film, office contents, and third-party property damage
- Emergency medical evacuation insurance is valuable for production work in remote locations, with costs for air evacuation reaching thousands of dollars without coverage
Depends on
- Most specific insurer recommendations came from Canada or the US, limiting geographic applicability
- Pricing and available coverage options vary significantly by location and insurer
- Some clients such as major studios impose minimum coverage requirements that exceed standard limits
- No consensus reached on whether liability insurance should be obtained alone or as part of a larger employment relationship