Does Your Production Need Increased Liability Insurance Coverage?

Entertainment or production firms are not immune from large lawsuits. Large claims involve; injury or deaths on sets, copyright issues, cancelled events, talent contracts, and more.

Umbrella Insurance provides extra protection or limits above the liability insurance you currently have. An Umbrella Insurance policy protects your production from losing the entirety of your resources and assets in the event of a large claim. Umbrella Insurance provides limits above your primary commercial insurance program.

Here is one example. While shooting an advertisement on a California highway an auto accident caused injury to two production members and a third party. The crew were covered under workers’ compensation but the by stander was not. The third party sued the production company for $2,500,000 in damages.

The staff at John Hart Insurance has over 60 years combined experience in the field of entertainment insurance.  We focus exclusively on understanding the unique needs of motion picture, television, video, music and theatrical companies.  This knowledge base allows us to structure an insurance program specifically for each client that will be a balance of the best coverage and most economical solutions to help manage the risks inherent to the client’s unique businesses.

Emerging Risks For The Entertainment Industry

Every entertainment company is different and has its own set of risks. We operate in a shrinking world, and the risks faced by local production companies are increasing and interrelated to what may be happening around the world. At John Hart Insurance we know and understand the entertainment industry. Your risks are changing and you need your insurance to evolve with your changing risks. Here are a few emerging risk management issues to be aware of.

Natural Catastrophes – In California, every business is subject to weather and other natural events. While business insurance may cover many of these, it pays to be prepared. Have you considered earthquake insurance? We suggest that every business have an emergency plan to help them manage through natural catastrophes.

Financing of Independent Films- Independent films are great, but they have many risks including loss of income due to fire, accident or even contract disputes. Make sure your film has proper insurance.

Cast Insurance - Reimburses the production company for any extra expense necessary to complete principal photography of an insured production due to death, injury or sickness of any scheduled performer or director.

Foreign Production – We all understand that traveling to a foreign country presents some logistical, social, and legal issues that should be thought through prior to travel. Traveling with a complete cast and crew to a foreign country to film a movie, compounds all those logistics.

The Workforce – The workforce is getting older, businesses must attract new and younger employees. It will be important for businesses to consider things like remote workers, flex time, and a more creative working environment, to attract the next generation of workers. In addition, employers must consider increasing benefits packages, retirement programs, and other non-financial perks. 

Five Tips To Help You Save On Your Next Entertainment Insurance Renewal

Entertainment Insurance Renewal

Your business insurance is an important part of your risk management program. It is important to have the right insurance coverage, competitive pricing and the right insurer. We have found at least five factors that are important to manage when renewing your business insurance program.

Business Insurance

A business insurance program can include commercial property, auto, commercial liability, employment liability, workers’ compensation, professional liability and excess liability.

Insurance Renewal Tips

• Provide complete information about your operation. Paint a picture that describes what you do and how well you do it. You have to sell the underwriter on what is different about your operation and how the insurance company needs to insure your risk, because you are above average.
• Use an independent agent. We are best equipped to provide you with the best combination of coverage, price and service.  John Hart specializes in entertainment insurance.
• Have a well-managed safety program.

Putting a little effort into your business insurance renewal can reap rewards in the form of better coverage and lower premiums. The staff at John Hart Insurance has over 60 years combined experience in the field of entertainment insurance.  We focus exclusively on understanding the unique needs of motion picture, television, video, music and theatrical companies.  This knowledge base allows us to structure an insurance program specifically for each client that will be a balance of the best coverage and most economical solutions to help them manage the risks inherent to their unique businesses.

What Does Outstanding Customer Service Look Like?

Superior Insurance Service For The Entertainment Industry

Have you left a business and thought, “How are they even in business”? Or have you gotten off the phone and said, “They don’t understand or care about my needs or even respect me”?  We have had those experiences, and we don’t ever want any of our customers to feel that way about our firm. 

Outstanding customer service can mean something different to each person. However, we believe there is a basic underlying attitude of a firm that provides outstanding customer service. We would like to share our thoughts on what our firm believes contributes to outstanding customer service. 

Outstanding customer service is a mindset that we want every employee to have. 

We practice three basic principles when relating to clients: empathy, appreciation and helpfulness.

• Empathy - We will consider and understand your opinion and needs. We will educate you on the details of insurance so that you can make an informed decision.
• Appreciation - You are important to us and you should be told so. We will value our relationship with you and treat you with respect and trust.
• Helpfulness- When you call our agency you will talk to a licensed professional who lives and works in the community. We will listen to your requests and provide thoughtful responses. We will always say thank you. We know you have choices when it comes to selecting your insurance agent, and we appreciate that you have chosen us.

Here are other guiding principles that every agency should live by

• Do what you say you are going to do. If you say the certificate will be delivered by 10:00 am Tuesday; deliver it before or on time.
• Own your mistakes. No agency is perfect, so when a mistake is made, take responsibility and identify corrective measures to prevent it from happening again. 
• Care about the customer. Genuinely care about your customers and their experiences. When a loss occurs we will get involved as if the loss happened to us. 

The staff at John Hart Insurance has over 60 years combined experience in the field of entertainment insurance.  We focus exclusively on understanding the unique needs of motion picture, television, video, music and theatrical companies.  This knowledge base allows us to structure an insurance program specifically for each client that will be a balance of the best coverage and most economical solutions to help them manage the risks inherent to their unique businesses.

How Does Business Liability Insurance Impacts Entertainment Companies?

Business Insurance

The world is changing, and we understand the issues entertainment businesses face every day. There is constant competition for your customers, there are challenges in attracting and retaining top talent and your expenses keeps going up. Your entertainment business changes, and so do your exposures. Here are some of the major kinds of liability coverage found in most business insurance programs.

Entertainment Liability Insurance

·         Bodily Injury - Bodily injury to a third party.

·         Property Damage - Damage to a third party’s property (equipment building etc.).

·         Cast Insurance - Reimburses the production company for any extra expense necessary to complete principal photography of an insured production due to death, injury or sickness of any insured performer or director

·         Personal Injury - Injury to the mind or emotions, as opposed to an injury to property.

·         Products & Completed Operations - Liability arising out of products you sell or business operations and services conducted, excluding professional services.

·         Premises - Covers liability arising out of injury to third parties while on your premises.

·         Professional Liability – Covers legal liability and defense for the production company against lawsuits alleging unauthorized use of title, format, ideas, characters, plots, plagiarism, unfair competition or piracy. Also protects for alleged libel, slander, defamation of character or invasion of privacy. This coverage will usually be required by a distributor prior to release of any theatrical or television production.

·         Umbrella - Provides excess liability over primary auto and commercial liability policies.

The staff at John Hart Insurance has over 60 years combined experience in the field of entertainment insurance.  We focus exclusively on understanding the unique needs of motion picture, television, video, music and theatrical companies.  This knowledge base allows us to structure an insurance program specifically for each client that will be a balance of  the best coverage and most economical solutions to help them manage the risks inherent to their unique businesses.

Why The Film Industry Needs Independent Insurance Agents

John Hart Insurance is an independent agent, this means we don’t work for any one insurance company. We have access to many markets, giving us the ability to shop your film, production or entertainment Company to many markets, for the best option for you. With captive insurance agents, like the big national companies, you only get the guidance of one company that sells one brand of insurance. With an independent insurance agent, you might get up to eight choices. There are a number of benefits to working with us:

• We will work with you to make sure your claim is processed to your satisfaction
• We provide a number of coverage options
• Are not obligated to any one company
• John Hart and his staff know and understand the entertainment industry
• We search the market for the  best combination of price and coverage
• We are committed to exceeding your expectations
• You are who we answer to, not a board of directors in NY
• We are licensed professionals with strong customer and community ties
• Our staff is qualified and trained to explain coverage in understandable language
• We can review coverage and make necessary changes based on your needs

When you work with us, we will give you unbiased advice.  As an independent insurance agent we are very knowledgeable about all the companies that exist in the marketplace. We know which companies have the best track record when it comes to pleasing their policy holders. We can narrow your options down and help you choose between the best insurance companies in the market. Not all insurance agents are the same! Choosing the right one can make a big difference – in price, service, and value.

We have over 60 years combined experience in the field of entertainment insurance.  We focus exclusively on understanding the unique needs of motion picture, television, video, music and theatrical companies. Call us today for more information.

Leased or Rented Equipment For The Entertainment Industry

Like many organizations, your production company may rent or lease equipment from time to time.  There are many reasons why production companies rent equipment. Perhaps you are planning a short term film and need to rent lights or other equipment. Or your management company is sponsoring a concert, and you need to rent a sound system. 

It is important to have an understanding of who is responsible for the rented equipment, and that your understanding is consistent with the written rental agreement. Not all rental agreements are the same. Some rental agreements will include property damage insurance as part of the rental fee. Other rental agreements may require the nonprofit to be responsible for all damage. And finally, some rental agreements may require you to pay a deductible if there is damage. This can be very confusing especially if you are leasing or renting a high value item.

There are many important things to remember when considering a rental agreement:

1. Leasing companies come in many varieties including banks, brokers, equipment specialists, independents, and companies of all sizes.  Each has different levels of flexibility and requirements.

2. Understand what the rental/lease agreement says regarding repairs, maintenance, and upgrades. This applies more to long term leases rather than short term leases.

3. It may be in your best interest to insure the equipment separately. This may be more cost effective depending on how the agreement is written.

Leased or Rented Equipment Insurance

• Coverage is available for a wide variety of property, during production or while in your care, custody and control.

• Property located on or off your premises.

• Property in transit.

• Coverage generally can be provided for risk of direct physical loss.

The bottom line is, when you are deciding to lease equipment, be certain you are aware of all costs involved with the transaction. Then, balance the costs against the benefits to make the appropriate choice for you and your organization.