Anybody dealt with acquiring insurance such as this in pre-production, and if so, what are the costs involved? I live in Oregon, and the state won't let us film without a million dollar liability policy. Therefore, if I don't acquire that (and E&O insurance) and present it as a "delieverable" when I hopefully am working with distributors, then I know my hard work and that off my crew will all have been for nothing. I have been down this path before, and made many novice mistakes which I am now attempting to overcome, this time around. Any info/suggestions on insurance, and the most cost effective way to acquire it, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
E&O and Liability Insurance
- Thread starter zippyo15
- Start date
E&O - easy. On any movie budgeted under $350,000 don’t bother. It predominantly covers the production if you (or another department head) fails to perform the work as contracted.
As far as copyrighted material - just make sure you aren’t using any. Be careful of showing logos and trademarks. You can save a lot of money by not carrying this insurance.
Liability - I would never shoot without it. Not a feature anyway. As you have discovered, zippy, shooting on any State property demands you carry at least a one million dollar policy. I think all States are like that.
I usually insure through
Truman Van Dyke Co.
6767 Forest Lawn Dr.
Ste. 301
Los Angeles, CA 90068
Phone: (323) 883-0012***
Fax: (323) 883-0024
Here are some other places. I used filmemporuim once - no problems.
http://www.speare.com/home.asp
http://www.taylorinsurance.com/
http://www.groupinsure.com/
http://www.firsttower.com/filmdef.htm
http://www.filmemporium.com/newweb/insurance/index.htm
http://www.rglaser.net/
As far as copyrighted material - just make sure you aren’t using any. Be careful of showing logos and trademarks. You can save a lot of money by not carrying this insurance.
Liability - I would never shoot without it. Not a feature anyway. As you have discovered, zippy, shooting on any State property demands you carry at least a one million dollar policy. I think all States are like that.
I usually insure through
Truman Van Dyke Co.
6767 Forest Lawn Dr.
Ste. 301
Los Angeles, CA 90068
Phone: (323) 883-0012***
Fax: (323) 883-0024
Here are some other places. I used filmemporuim once - no problems.
http://www.speare.com/home.asp
http://www.taylorinsurance.com/
http://www.groupinsure.com/
http://www.firsttower.com/filmdef.htm
http://www.filmemporium.com/newweb/insurance/index.htm
http://www.rglaser.net/
http://www.aeinsurance.com
No policy fee, prompt service.
No policy fee, prompt service.
On YOU ARE ALONE, with a $150K budget, and coverage for 4 weeks, the policy which covered liability and property damage (both at $1 million), equipment rental of $150K, and faulty camera/damage to the original tape (negative)...cost us a hair under $2500.
We used www.shorttermproductions.com
Hope that helps.
But I do have a question for Indietalk...have you really had luck with aeinsurance.com? I tried contacting them over and over, because they were right in MA in our back yard, and never get a return call or email. In fact, the voice mail boxes were full most of the time. I figured they were out of business.
We used www.shorttermproductions.com
Hope that helps.
But I do have a question for Indietalk...have you really had luck with aeinsurance.com? I tried contacting them over and over, because they were right in MA in our back yard, and never get a return call or email. In fact, the voice mail boxes were full most of the time. I figured they were out of business.
Completion bond...
I was under the assumption that a completion bond covers the production and gets it completed if you fail to complete the film (this is usually purchased for investors) and E&O insurance covers the possible infringement of copyright and trademarks...
filmy
directorik said:
I was under the assumption that a completion bond covers the production and gets it completed if you fail to complete the film (this is usually purchased for investors) and E&O insurance covers the possible infringement of copyright and trademarks...
filmy
Yep!FilmJumper said:
A completion bond for a ULB (under $200,000 - $300,000) by a production team without a seriously good track record of completing movies would be prohibitively expensive.
And E&O is an unnecessary expense on that level too. Just make sure while shooting that you aren't infringing - that's cheaper.
until you try to sell the movie for distribution because they require it and will charge you triple if the distributor has to get it themselves...
Errors and Omissions insurance is a deliverable requirement for virtually all forms of distribution, especially broadcast TV.
I think production insurance is a must. Of the 5 locations we shot, 3 wanted to see proof of insurance. Any smart business or land owner would- if something happens they wouldn't hesitate to call their attorney especially when it comes to a 'MOVIE'. We also used filmemporium.com and to cover a 30 days, no stunts or guns, equip coverage-it was about $2800. But it put us in a different class with the rental houses they went out of their way to help us with deals. I'm not saying that it will help the rate just that they take you serious and most want to see you succeed.
Sonny is right if you are going to get distribution you or the distributor will have to buy E&O insurance. Wait until you're nego with the distributor because a quote is only good for about 30 days and the distributor may have someone they deal with that gives them a good price and you may save a couple of thousand bucks. It's all about negations.
Completion bonds- I wouldn't worry with it unless your budget was over $1m. Our budget was in the Sag-ultra low range ($200,000) and it was cost prohibitive for us to pay for it.
good luck
Sonny is right if you are going to get distribution you or the distributor will have to buy E&O insurance. Wait until you're nego with the distributor because a quote is only good for about 30 days and the distributor may have someone they deal with that gives them a good price and you may save a couple of thousand bucks. It's all about negations.
Completion bonds- I wouldn't worry with it unless your budget was over $1m. Our budget was in the Sag-ultra low range ($200,000) and it was cost prohibitive for us to pay for it.
good luck
You might also try www.filmemporium.com or www.entertainmentinsurancebroker.com. Both sites seem to have good information about the subject of film insurance. They also seem to have lots of info on E&O if thats what you are looking for. Best of luck!