How Does Insurance Coverage Work For Movies?

Film producers typically need four main types of insurance: cast insurance, errors, and omissions policies, general film production insurance, and completion bonding. 
Written by Allison Stone
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
When it comes to making a movie, every part of the production process needs to be
insured
in one way or another. Depending on what kind of movie you’re filming, the range of insurance options and prices can also be incredibly vast. 
According to
eqgroup.com
, the Insurance Information Network of California (IINC) describes four basic types of film production insurance—cast insurance, liability insurance, errors and omissions policies, general film production insurance, and completion bonding. 
Read on with insurance super app Jerry as we go over what these types of insurance are, what they cover, and how to save money on your own insurance plan. 

Types of insurance a movie set needs

  • Cast insurance 
This insurance covers production costs in the event that production loses a cast member, director, or any other essential personnel on set. 
It is also sometimes referred to as Film Producers Indemnity and provides coverage for the additional expenses that can occur in the event that an insured actress, actor, or even animal on set cannot complete their production duties as a result of death, injury, or sickness. 
  • Errors and omissions policies 
These protect production companies from potential lawsuits that result from a violation of personal rights. It provides coverage for libel, slander, or other forms of defamation as well as copyright infringement and invasion of privacy. 
  • General film production insurance 
Includes all of the standard insurance proceedings needed by any business including worker’s compensation, general liability, and commercial auto insurance. It also includes the costs of delays related to equipment failure, inclement weather, and set damage. 
  • Completion bonds
These are in place to ensure that the film actually gets completed. Much like when you take out a
car loan
, a completion bond is simply a type of loan that helps finance the completion of a film.
Once the film is distributed, the first proceeds from distribution go to pay off any loss incurred by the lender in the agreement to fund the film. 
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Vehicle insurance in movies

It should be noted that Commercial General Liability coverage excludes any property damage to property involved with the production including automobile liability, large watercraft liability, and aircraft liability, which all need to be insured through specific policies. 
Automobile insurance for filmmakers protects the producer from any liabilities related to the use of automobiles. This includes covers automobiles registered to or purchased by the production company. 
If the production company needs additional vehicles for the production, they must obtain Hired Auto Insurance. 
For some films, like the Fast & Furious, insuring these highly valuable vehicles used on set can get pretty costly.

Liability insurance in movies

When shopping around for automotive insurance, you might come across liability insurance. If you cause a car accident, liability insurance covers medical expenses for injuries to involved drivers and passengers. 
Similarly, many film producers have several forms of liability insurance in place including Commercial General Liability, Property Damage Liability Insurance, Railroad Protective Liability Insurance, and Excess Liability, 
Much like many vehicle and homeowners insurance plans, filmmakers need coverage for loss, damage to, or destruction of the property of others, including the loss or use of property that is in your care, custody, or control. 
Property Damage Liability Insurance covers all of that but does not apply to liability for damage to property caused by the operation of any motor vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft.

How to save money bundling your home and auto insurance

Understanding all the different aspects of insurance coverage can be tricky, especially when you’re shopping around for your own. 
Insurance companies may offer you better rates if you bundle your insurance because that’s more business for them. Not only that but having multiple insurance coverages from one provider can offer you more security. 
But finding the best deal is not always as simple as the push of a button or downloading an app—until now. 
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makes bundling your home and auto insurance a breeze. After the 60 seconds it takes to fill out the introductory form, Jerry will analyze your current contracts, comparison shop for the best new rates, and even help you cancel your old policy. 
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