SHORT TERM PRODUCTIONS

General Liability

What is covered?

Commercial General Liability forms the mandatory foundation of every production package. This line protects your production company against third-party lawsuits claiming bodily injury to members of the general public, or accidental physical damage to property outside of your rented set. If an external visitor trips over a stray heavy-duty power cable on a public sidewalk and suffers an injury, or if a grip stand falls over and shatters a window on an adjacent commercial building, General Liability covers your legal defense costs, attorney fees, and any court-ordered settlements up to your policy’s specified occurrence limits.

Are “additional insureds” included?

With blanket additional insureds, your vendors and locations will be provided with certificates of insurance naming them as additional insureds in the event of a loss. Unlimited certificates can be issued.

City and other special certificates

The City of LA, other cities, and entities may require “special wording” on their certificates or have a special form they require be completed. Film permit offices will require this.

Equipment, Props, Sets and Wardrobe

What is covered?

Because standard General Liability explicitly excludes any physical items in your “care, custody, or control,” a Rented Equipment Floater is non-negotiable if you are obtaining hardware from a rental house. This specialized Inland Marine coverage protects rented cameras, specialized lenses, lighting packages, sound mixers, and grip trucks against accidental drops, liquid spills, fire, and vehicle-theft while in active use or during transit. Rental houses will refuse to release their cinema assets until you present a Certificate of Insurance (COI) matching the exact replacement value of their equipment pool.

How much should I insure for?

The insurable value should be the total value of your rented equipment, props, sets, and wardrobe from all vendors. Owned equipment, props, sets, and wardrobe can not be covered.

Can the deductible be changed?

No. The deductible is based on the total limit of equipment, props, sets, and wardrobe.

Are “Loss Payees” included?

Equipment insurance includes your vendors being provided with certificates of insurance naming them as loss payee in the event of a loss. Unlimited certificates can be issued.

Negative Film or Videotape & Faulty Stock, Camera & Processing

What is covered?

Damage or destruction of raw film or tape stock, exposed film or videotape, faulty stock, faulty cameras or lenses.

How much should I insure for?

The coverage limit is the declared budget of the production, up to a maximum coverage limit of $25,000.

Extra Expense

What is covered?

Extra expense reimburses the insured for the out-of-pocket expenses in the event of the interruption, postponement or cancellation of the declared production, as a result of loss, damage or destruction of property or facilities contracted for use by the insured.

Third Party Property Damage

What is covered?

Often confused with General Liability, Third-Party Property Damage is a vital extension that protects the exact physical locations you rent, lease, or occupy for your shoot. If your crew accidentally scorches a wall with a high-powered hot light, breaks a historic door frame while moving a production cart, or scratches expensive hardwood floors inside a leased mansion, TPPD steps in to cover the costly structural repair bills demanded by the property owner.

Automobile (Hired & Non-Owned)

What is covered?

Film sets constantly utilize vehicles—whether it is renting a 14-foot cube truck from a commercial fleet, utilizing a passenger van for cast transport, or having a production assistant drive their personal car to pick up lunch. Hired and Non-Owned Auto Liability protects your production entity if an authorized crew member causes an auto accident while conducting business on behalf of the film, covering bodily injury and property damage liabilities caused to third parties.

Excess Liability

What is covered?

This provides excess liability over the general liability and/or automobile and can be obtained in increments of 1,000,000.

Workers’ Compensation

What is covered?

Workers’ Compensation is a legally mandated policy line that protects your active cast, crew, and dedicated volunteers from the financial impacts of on-set workplace illnesses or injuries. If a camera operator suffers a severe strain during an intense handheld shoot or an assistant director trips down a stairwell, Workers’ Comp covers 100% of their medical bills, emergency room costs, and a structured portion of their lost wages. Carrying a valid Workers’ Comp policy is an absolute prerequisite to clearing contracts with SAG-AFTRA and other technical labor unions.

Who is not covered?

For corporations, partnership, LLC’s and other legal entities, officers are excluded from coverage. For individuals and dba’s, the owners are excluded from coverage.