How To Decrease Entertainment Insurance Liabilities On Set: Complete Guide

Entertainment insurance, also called show business insurance, is a form of liability coverage that protects against injury or damage to members of the cast and crew, as well as the venue or production company.

It also covers damage to equipment and other property associated with entertainment productions.
 

Treat every film set like it’s an extension of your home and you’ll be able to prevent most problems before they arise.

If you’re producing a film on location, you want to avoid the following issues at all costs:

Human error

People tend to make mistakes more easily when they’re working on high-pressure projects.

Whether your actors forget lines or your sound technicians leave microphones behind, it’s much easier to handle these things when everyone is calm and collected.

Losses and damages to equipment

Location shoots are often associated with theft and property damage.

Make sure your crew knows how to take proper care of equipment when they’re not using it and always keep a close eye on things.

For example, if a light fixture is about to fall off the ceiling, don’t wait for someone else to tell you about it — have it attended to immediately. 

Accidents

These are the worst kind of mishaps because they can lead to injury and legal action against producers, directors, and other members of the crew.

Take care of safety rules.

Who Needs Entertainment Insurance?

The producers of live theater, concerts, circuses, and other forms of entertainment will likely need entertainment insurance — if they don’t have it already. This is because they are often at risk of expensive lawsuits stemming from their performances.

For example, a guest might suffer an injury while attending a concert at Madison Square Garden.

If the guest sues the arena’s owners for damages related to his injury, the owner’s liability insurance will pay for his defense in court while covering any settlement or award against him and future legal costs if he loses the case.

Entertainment venues must also be insured.

What Are Entertainment Insurance Liabilities

The type of insurance you need will depend on what kind of production you are working on. If it is a low-budget indie film, then you will only need a minimal level of cover.

However, if your production involves renting out large film sets and using heavy-duty equipment, then you need a much more comprehensive plan.

To help you out, we are going to look at some of the key areas that demand your attention when it comes to entertainment insurance liabilities on film sets.

In the United States, the entertainment industry is regulated by state laws. These laws are in place to protect consumers from deceptive and predatory business practices, but it can be difficult for an artist or musician to know what these laws mean for them.

When planning a tour, an entertainer needs to know what type of insurance is available and what risks are covered by that insurance. 

What happens if the group gets injured during a performance due to poor stage conditions? 

What happens if someone steals instruments or damages film equipment? What happens if someone is injured in the audience?

What Are Entertainment Insurance Liabilities

Entertainment liability insurance protects entertainers from common lawsuits that are connected to their performances. This coverage can protect artists from personal injury claims and product damage claims as well.

The purpose of this coverage is to pay out money to the injured party if a claim arises. It usually does not cover any legal fees or court costs associated with the lawsuit itself. 

The policy will pay for immediate medical bills resulting from an accident up to the limit of the policy. 

How To Decrease Entertainment Insurance Liabilities On Set

Numerous factors go into figuring out your liability insurance needs as a filmmaker. 

Despite what some people may tell you, it’s not a matter of simply adding up the value of your gear and multiplying that number by $1,000 to get your estimated costs. 

It’s much more complicated than that.

Trying to make sense of everything can be overwhelming, which is why we’ve put together this handy guide to help you understand how to decrease entertainment insurance liabilities on set.

Who do I need to insure?

Most filmmakers think they only need to worry about getting their equipment covered for production, but unfortunately, the truth is a bit more complicated than that. If you’re an independent filmmaker working with actors and actresses who have been hired from outside your production company, you’ll also have to worry about their coverage needs.

What things do I need to worry about?

Your insurance needs will have a lot to say about what types of equipment you use and how many people are working on your production. It also depends on where you’re shooting, what state or country you’re in, and whether or not you’re covered by workers’ compensation laws in that state or country.

Producer’s Guide To Film Production Insurance

Whether you are making a documentary or a feature film, the law requires that you have insurance to protect yourself and your crew. 

To produce a film, you need to make sure that you can pay for any damages. Insurance is one way to do this. 

If someone on your crew is injured on set and needs medical treatment, you will be held liable for their medical bills if there is no insurance.

Additionally, if someone’s property is damaged during production. For example, if a door is broken off its hinges by a member of your crew or damage is done to a fence in the background of your shot, the owner of that property can sue the production company for damages. 

To avoid these types of lawsuits you must have insurance.

Insurance provides financial protection in case anyone brings suit against your production. It also protects your investment in equipment and sets. 

   

You should also know that many states require that productions carry certain types of insurance before they will issue permits for the production to shoot on state-owned land or at state facilities.

Speaking To An Entertainment Insurance Broker

When you are in a situation where you have to deal with an entertainment insurance broker, you might feel that you do not know exactly what to do. There are many people out there who do not know what to expect when they hire an entertainment insurance broker.

However, they might be surprised to find that they are going to have a much easier time in the world of entertainment. 

The first thing that people need to realize is that it is their job as clients to try and develop a plan for themselves. When people go through the process of trying to find the perfect insurance broker for them, they will be able to get the coverage that they need.

What this means for the clients is that they should know exactly what it is that they want out of the process. They should be able to come up with a list of things where they can get all of their questions answered.

Finding The Right People To Work With

The biggest thing that people need to remember is how important it is for them to find the right people who can work with them. 

If people want more information on how they can find the right entertainment insurance broker, then they should use all of their resources and tools at their disposal.

Many people who own businesses that provide entertainment now have insurance options available to help protect them from the many risks they face. 

The entertainment industry is a risky one, but with the right insurance program in place, you can avoid paying unnecessary premiums and even save money.

What does an entertainment insurance broker do? 

An entertainment insurance broker will work with you to understand your specific needs when it comes to entertainment-related risks. They will then help match those needs with the best policy for your business.

Choosing the right policy is essential and knowing what you are getting yourself into is vital to avoiding problems down the road.

Entertainment is a very popular area of the economy. The movie business alone brings in billions of dollars each year. 

But it also suffers from a lot of risks, including theft and injury claims by cast and crew members as well as actors and actresses.

Add concert tours, nightclubs, resorts, sports events, and more to this list and you can see why these industries need special insurance programs to protect themselves from financial loss. 

What Makes A Good Entertainment Insurance Policy?

There is a lot of importance to having the right entertainment insurance policy for your business. There are many different kinds of policies available, so you should be able to find something that fits your needs.

For example, if you own a bar and grill, then you would need to get a liquor liability policy. 

Backup coverage is another type of policy that is great for minimizing your risk. If something happens like a fire or theft, there will be another company ready to step in and assist with any losses that may have occurred.

This is always a good idea to have if something were to happen to disrupt your business such as an unexpected death or illness. There are also packages available that include property damage and general liability coverage in one policy.

These would be great for venues that use their space for multiple purposes such as showing movies during the day but then hosting live entertainment at night such as musical performances or plays.

Another type of entertainment insurance policy is a talent policy which helps cover the performers if they are injured while performing on your premises. It also protects them from claims from other parties if something happens while they are performing in front of an audience.

This is a good idea because injuries can occur easily while performing and oftentimes these claims can cost thousands of dollars to payout.

Does It Have To Be An Entertainment Insurance Broker?

Many people are asking this question, and the answer is a resounding yes!

The reason is simple: insurance brokers who represent a variety of companies and handle many different kinds of business are in the best position to find you the right policy at the right price. They know what their competitors are offering and can often beat that price.

A direct writer, on the other hand, typically has access to only one or two companies for any given type of coverage. The insurance company then solicits your business by mail or phone; you fill out an application and hope that you qualify.

If you do, they then have the opportunity to sell you a policy at whatever price they choose. The fact that a company represents only one or two underwriters does not mean that they are not reputable or experienced — it certainly doesn’t mean that they won’t deliver quality service to you if you do business with them.

But if you want to make sure that you get the best coverage for your money and make sure that it is delivered promptly and correctly — yes, it has to be an entertainment insurance broker.

What Should I Say To An Entertainment Insurance Broker?

Entertainment coverage is a specialized product, so it’s a good idea to speak with a seasoned broker.

Telling him or her what you need to be done is the first step in getting it done. 

Here are some tips on what to say: 

What show are you thinking about? 

There are only so many insurers in this business, and they’re all familiar with the major players in theater and live entertainment.

A few key facts about your show — number of performers, duration, and how you plan to promote it — can help narrow your search. 

How much do you want to insure? 

While there’s no standard policy for this, most entertainment insurance policies start at $1 million and go up from there (if not substantially).

If you’re planning a large-scale production, this is something to keep in mind.

What kind of options do you have? 

Underwriters typically offer one of three types of policies: One covers liability only, another covers both liability and loss of income (in case an act has to cancel), and another covers the whole shebang — liability and loss of income.

The latter two have higher premiums, but they also provide peace of mind if something goes 

Wrong.

Third-Party Property Damage Liability Insurance For Film Production

Film production insurance is a legal contract, it protects everyone involved in the production of a film and there are many different aspects to consider when you’re looking for production insurance. 

Film production insurance is an insurance policy, which provides cover for legal liability and accidental damage to third party property during the filming stage of a movie.

There are several different types of film production insurances available to protect you from the risks associated with producing a film. Film producers will require public liability and property damage insurance to get permission from landowners to film on their land or from local authorities who manage public spaces like bridges and tunnels.

Property Damage Liability Insurance For Film Production

Property damage liability insurance will provide coverage if physical damage is caused as part of a film shoot. This includes equipment for building structures or anything that is not involved in the production process itself.

If anyone sustains injuries while on set, then this also needs to be covered by your policy. Most policies will include cover for any additional expenses relating to cleanup or repair that may be necessary as a result of damage caused by the filming process.

You must ensure your policy covers all locations where your shoot may take place, so speak to an experienced broker about your specific requirements.

How To Protect Your Production Company From Film Set Injury Liability

Filmmaking is a dangerous business and it’s not uncommon for an actor, prop master, or grip to be injured on set.

If you’re directing a feature, chances are that someone is going to get hurt at some point. It’s rare for a film to go through production without some kind of injury occurring.

Treat every production as if it were your most expensive project ever. Every time you hit the shoot button, you run the risk of injuring a crew member or damaging someone’s property. 

You need to know what you can do to protect your production company from liability, both financially and legally.

Many legal issues could come up when making a film. There are also lots of ways that you can protect yourself from potential lawsuits and other legal problems. 

   

All Film Production Insurance Is Not Created Equal

Film production insurance can be a complicated and confusing process, especially when you are trying to determine what policies are going to best meet your needs. 

What is the difference between errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, product liability insurance, and producer’s package insurance?

These three important types of insurance often get confused with one another because they all serve different purposes. 

Here is a brief overview of each type of policy and how it differs from the other:

Errors and omissions (E&O) insurance

This first policy is offered by a producer or individual who has been hired to work on a project. This policy protects individuals and businesses on the production side against legal action brought forth by those who may be hurt by errors or omissions that take place during the filming of a project.

It also includes coverage for any legal action brought against the production company about copyrighted material being used without proper permission or licensing rights.

Producer’s package insurance

This policy typically covers all individuals working on the film production, including the cast and crew. It will cover injuries that take place during filming, as well as property damage that may occur on set.

However, this policy is not designed for an injury that occurs offset and does not provide protection for any liabilities incurred offset.

Product liability insurance 

This last policy protects a business in the event that one of their products causes an individual bodily harm or injury.