Insurance -- the big discussion thread

Deniz Turkmen · September 18th, 2004, 09:44 AM

None of my actors are in the union. I don't feel like dealing with SAG -- at least when making a short film.

Paul Tauger · September 18th, 2004, 10:45 AM

<<<-- Originally posted by Michael Bernstein : Deniz,

You don't specify whether your actors are members of SAG (Screen Actors Guild, the union) or not. I have heard that SAG requires the producer of any film to have insurance (workmen's comp, anyone?) before it will allow SAG actors to work on the project.

Since I may want to shoot with SAG actors in the near future, I'd be delighted if anyone else has the straight dope on this.

(By the way, the SAG Indie website doesn't come out and say that you MUST have insurance, but they do list insurance companies for e.g. New York State:

http://www.sagindie.com/res-Ny/ny118.html)

Michael -->>>

I'm currently vetting a SAG signatory agreement for one of my clients. Though the Indie agreement may differ (ours is for interactive media, i.e. computer games), ours requires insurance. If you call SAG, they should be able to provide a copy of the applicable agreement, which will set out all of the requirements for employing SAG talent.

Simon Wyndham · October 10th, 2004, 05:44 AM

Hi,

Could anyone here based in the UK make any recommendations for good (if there is such a thing!) insurance companies for video equipment in the UK? Until now I've only had to cover relatively minor equipment, but now I am getting a much more expensive camera. Are there any broadcast or video camera specific insurance companies out there?

Mike Rehmus · October 10th, 2004, 08:35 PM

If you are doing commercial video, you really need several types of insurance:

1. Equipment coverage
2. Company liability
3. Errors and Omissions.

In the US, WEVA is the best bet for insurance coverage. Once one is a member, #'s 1 & 2 are about $550 per year, #3, for events and weddings only, is about $70 per year from Lloyds.

Kent Dammand · November 11th, 2004, 11:13 PM

Im in seattle and am doing a location shoot in miami. the facilty wants me to sign a contract saying I am insured for any damages that may occur during shoot.

what can i do, Im a LLC but have no Location Insurance or Insurance of any kind plus I dont have the foggyist idea how to get it or how this is normally handled.

Dan Uneken · November 12th, 2004, 11:37 AM

Normally you approach an insurance company that is specialised in this kind of thing. You present the script and the budget and they take a percentage according to their assessment of the risk involved. Something like 3 to 5 % of budget for a "normal" production. Don't know the companies in the US, but they should not be too hard to locate.

Kent Dammand · November 12th, 2004, 11:52 AM

anyone else???? do i go to a generic company like allstate or???

Chris Ward · January 24th, 2005, 09:12 AM

I have a comany that I use but would love to shop around for a better deal. Any recommendations?

Brian Burns · February 21st, 2005, 09:07 AM

I'm looking to get liability/comp insurance. I've seen numerous people talk about the cheap insurance out there but has anyone ever made a claim? $300/year insurance seems really cheap to me and I'd hate to get a policy that does not actually pay anyting.

Thoughts?

Don Bloom · February 21st, 2005, 06:04 PM

I used to insure thru my H/O,car and life company one of the biggies-you know the one that statesall over-then they decided to get out so I switched my business insurance to another biggie, the one where you're in good hands but they were pretty costly. I now have ALL of my gear insured thru RV Nuccio. Not only all the gear but a very nice liability policy as well. About 400 a year AND its thru Firemens Fund Insurance, a rather large and well known company. KNOCK ON WOOD!!!! In almost 22 years in video, I've never had to use the policy at all. (I probably just set myself up;-0)
Anyway Nuccio is done online and a legit company (they're a broker) and the rates are good.
Find them at www.rvnuccio.com read thru the site and all your questions should be answered. BTW, no I don't work for them.
Don B

Trent Briles · August 14th, 2005, 06:38 PM

Anyone know of any low-cost insurance and Errors and Omissions (professional liability) Insurance??? (other than joining WEVA).

This will be for wedding and event videographer .

Thanks
Trent

Boyd Ostroff · August 14th, 2005, 06:49 PM

Do you have homeowners and auto insurance? If so, then talk to your agent. That's what I did when I needed to insure my equipment for a trip and they came up with a nice policy. If you have coverage from different companies it might be worth considering consolidating it all through one company, and use a local agency so you have a real person to talk to if there are problems.

FWIW, I has State Farm...

Trent Briles · August 14th, 2005, 06:53 PM

but does that cover on site issues or just travel? And what about E&O? Does your policy cover that too?

Thanks for the reply

Trent

Boyd Ostroff · August 14th, 2005, 07:13 PM

No, I don't have that kind of policy. But my point was that you should establish a relationship with a real person at a local insurance agency. If you give this same person your auto, homeowners, and personal liability umbrella policy then it may help you to get favorable rates.

You want someone who will stand behind you in the event of a claim. Asking strangers on the internet for information about "low cost insurance" may not bet the best strategy...

Don Bloom · August 14th, 2005, 07:16 PM

For liability and equipment coverage I use RVNuccio. They are a broker that places policies thru Firemens Fund. They're pretty reasonable also. Check out RVNuccio.com.
As for E&O, frankly in 23 years I've never had it nor thought about having it for weddings and events. If you're contract, ooops, I mean AGREEMENT is spelled out properly meaning a good contract attorney wrote it up properly you really would have little if any need for E&O. My agreement clearly states that things like camera placement (one example) is at the discrection of the operator AND will be within the rules and regulation as set forth by the venue and officiant, meaning that I will put my cameras where I feel I will get the best coverage BUT the house rules apply before all else and I can't be responsible if something gets missed because of the house rules. The list goes on to cover virtually every contigiency I have ever come across in 23 years and perhaps a few I haven't but probably will. I think its better to have it in writing than to wonder and worry "will my insurance cover me if...)
Write it tight, CYA and you'll be fine for weddings and other social and corporate type events.

Don

October 10th, 2004, 05:44 AM	#228
Simon Wyndham Trustee Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Malvern UK Posts: 1,931	Equipment insurance Hi, Could anyone here based in the UK make any recommendations for good (if there is such a thing!) insurance companies for video equipment in the UK? Until now I've only had to cover relatively minor equipment, but now I am getting a much more expensive camera. Are there any broadcast or video camera specific insurance companies out there?

October 10th, 2004, 08:35 PM	#229
Mike Rehmus Wrangler Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vallejo, California Posts: 4,049	If you are doing commercial video, you really need several types of insurance: 1. Equipment coverage 2. Company liability 3. Errors and Omissions. In the US, WEVA is the best bet for insurance coverage. Once one is a member, #'s 1 & 2 are about $550 per year, #3, for events and weddings only, is about $70 per year from Lloyds. __________________ Mike Rehmus Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!

November 11th, 2004, 11:13 PM	#230
Kent Dammand Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 80	Location Insurance Im in seattle and am doing a location shoot in miami. the facilty wants me to sign a contract saying I am insured for any damages that may occur during shoot. what can i do, Im a LLC but have no Location Insurance or Insurance of any kind plus I dont have the foggyist idea how to get it or how this is normally handled.

November 12th, 2004, 11:37 AM	#231
Dan Uneken Major Player Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Andalucia, Spain Posts: 301	Normally you approach an insurance company that is specialised in this kind of thing. You present the script and the budget and they take a percentage according to their assessment of the risk involved. Something like 3 to 5 % of budget for a "normal" production. Don't know the companies in the US, but they should not be too hard to locate. __________________ Film & TV locations & production Spain http://www.fotofilmvideo.com/

January 24th, 2005, 09:12 AM	#233
Chris Ward Contributor Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: New England Posts: 68	Insurance deals I have a comany that I use but would love to shop around for a better deal. Any recommendations?

September 18th, 2004, 09:44 AM	#226
Deniz Turkmen Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: CA Posts: 166	None of my actors are in the union. I don't feel like dealing with SAG -- at least when making a short film.

September 18th, 2004, 10:45 AM	#227
Paul Tauger Wrangler Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles (recently from San Francisco) Posts: 954	<<<-- Originally posted by Michael Bernstein : Deniz, You don't specify whether your actors are members of SAG (Screen Actors Guild, the union) or not. I have heard that SAG requires the producer of any film to have insurance (workmen's comp, anyone?) before it will allow SAG actors to work on the project. Since I may want to shoot with SAG actors in the near future, I'd be delighted if anyone else has the straight dope on this. (By the way, the SAG Indie website doesn't come out and say that you MUST have insurance, but they do list insurance companies for e.g. New York State: http://www.sagindie.com/res-Ny/ny118.html) Michael -->>> I'm currently vetting a SAG signatory agreement for one of my clients. Though the Indie agreement may differ (ours is for interactive media, i.e. computer games), ours requires insurance. If you call SAG, they should be able to provide a copy of the applicable agreement, which will set out all of the requirements for employing SAG talent.

November 12th, 2004, 11:52 AM	#232
Kent Dammand Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 80	anyone else???? do i go to a generic company like allstate or???

February 21st, 2005, 09:07 AM	#234
Brian Burns Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 56	Ever had to use your insurance? I'm looking to get liability/comp insurance. I've seen numerous people talk about the cheap insurance out there but has anyone ever made a claim? $300/year insurance seems really cheap to me and I'd hate to get a policy that does not actually pay anyting. Thoughts?

February 21st, 2005, 06:04 PM	#235
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	I used to insure thru my H/O,car and life company one of the biggies-you know the one that statesall over-then they decided to get out so I switched my business insurance to another biggie, the one where you're in good hands but they were pretty costly. I now have ALL of my gear insured thru RV Nuccio. Not only all the gear but a very nice liability policy as well. About 400 a year AND its thru Firemens Fund Insurance, a rather large and well known company. KNOCK ON WOOD!!!! In almost 22 years in video, I've never had to use the policy at all. (I probably just set myself up;-0) Anyway Nuccio is done online and a legit company (they're a broker) and the rates are good. Find them at www.rvnuccio.com read thru the site and all your questions should be answered. BTW, no I don't work for them. Don B

August 14th, 2005, 06:38 PM	#236
Trent Briles New Boot Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Trinity, NC Posts: 7	Insurance and low-cost Errors and Omissions (professional liability) Insurance Anyone know of any low-cost insurance and Errors and Omissions (professional liability) Insurance??? (other than joining WEVA). This will be for wedding and event videographer . Thanks Trent

August 14th, 2005, 06:49 PM	#237
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,801	Do you have homeowners and auto insurance? If so, then talk to your agent. That's what I did when I needed to insure my equipment for a trip and they came up with a nice policy. If you have coverage from different companies it might be worth considering consolidating it all through one company, and use a local agency so you have a real person to talk to if there are problems. FWIW, I has State Farm...

August 14th, 2005, 06:53 PM	#238
Trent Briles New Boot Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Trinity, NC Posts: 7	but does that cover on site issues or just travel? And what about E&O? Does your policy cover that too? Thanks for the reply Trent

August 14th, 2005, 07:13 PM	#239
Boyd Ostroff Wrangler Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mays Landing, NJ Posts: 11,801	No, I don't have that kind of policy. But my point was that you should establish a relationship with a real person at a local insurance agency. If you give this same person your auto, homeowners, and personal liability umbrella policy then it may help you to get favorable rates. You want someone who will stand behind you in the event of a claim. Asking strangers on the internet for information about "low cost insurance" may not bet the best strategy...

August 14th, 2005, 07:16 PM	#240
Don Bloom Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,609	For liability and equipment coverage I use RVNuccio. They are a broker that places policies thru Firemens Fund. They're pretty reasonable also. Check out RVNuccio.com. As for E&O, frankly in 23 years I've never had it nor thought about having it for weddings and events. If you're contract, ooops, I mean AGREEMENT is spelled out properly meaning a good contract attorney wrote it up properly you really would have little if any need for E&O. My agreement clearly states that things like camera placement (one example) is at the discrection of the operator AND will be within the rules and regulation as set forth by the venue and officiant, meaning that I will put my cameras where I feel I will get the best coverage BUT the house rules apply before all else and I can't be responsible if something gets missed because of the house rules. The list goes on to cover virtually every contigiency I have ever come across in 23 years and perhaps a few I haven't but probably will. I think its better to have it in writing than to wonder and worry "will my insurance cover me if...) Write it tight, CYA and you'll be fine for weddings and other social and corporate type events. Don