Theatrical Productions Insurance

Theater productions have very unique needs when it comes to insurance. At John hart Insurance we can design the right combination of coverage and price. Theatrical Productions insurance provides coverage for theatrical companies at fixed locations or while on tour. Insurance generally can cover a wide range of shows and locations. We can cover traveling theater groups, choirs, drama schools, lighting & sound companies, theater companies, ballets companies and orchestras.

Coverage Your Theater Company May Need:

•            Workers’ Compensation – Covers injuries to employees
•          Event Insurance – Covers the liability arising out of an event
•          Directors & Officers – Covers the board and key executives
•          Foreign Liability – Covers the production company if there is travel to a foreign country
•          General Liability – Provides general business insurance arising out of the businesses operations
•          Equipment/Property – Provides insurance in the event of damaged, lost, or stolen equipment

Remember that contracts between your firm and the event organizer most likely require insurance to be in place. We can help you by providing the right combination of coverage and price. 

Shooting a Commercial In LA…? You need Insurance

Every day in Los Angles there are literally dozens of production companies shooting, commercials, training films, full length motion pictures and documentaries. All these activities bring with them unique risks that should be insured. And when it comes to entertainment insurance, John Hart Insurance has the solutions.

Here is a short overview of what you might consider:

• Rented Equipment
• Owned Equipment
• Cast Coverage
• Props, Sets and Wardrobe
• Negative & Faulty Stock
• Third Party Property Damage
• Extra Expense
• General Liability
• Automobile Liability and Physical Damage
• Workers Compensation

Once a film, television pilot, commercial, or documentary is finished, the next step is normally distribution. Most distributors will require the production company obtain an Errors and Omissions policy on the production. If you are a distributor, you should always carry your own E&O policy, in addition to requiring each of the productions you distribute to be covered. When purchasing your insurance policies, it is once again important to remember that the amount of coverage you purchase is wholly dependent upon the type of project you’re working on.

Why Film & Movie Producers Need Professional Liability Insurance

From small productions to Hollywood blockbusters, substantial liability claims can arise for video, film and television producers. Even where you have ensured that all necessary clearances have been obtained you never know what will happen. Video Film and Television Producers Professional Liability insurance provides you with the peace of mind you need.

What Errors & Omissions insurance does is indemnify producers from lawsuits that may arise from the content of a production, including lawsuits alleging:

• Invasion of privacy
• Unauthorized use of titles
• Failure to obtain appropriate rights for music and film clips
• Improper handling of unsolicited scripts
• Unfair competition
• Professional errors in judgment
• Infringement of copyright
• Breach of contract
• Libel or slander
• Unauthorized copying of ideas

This coverage will usually be required by a distributor, broadcaster or financier prior to the release of any theatrical or television production. Production financing will usually not flow until E&O coverage is in force. Contact John Hart today.

The Value of Participant Accident Insurance

Production companies and the rest of the entertainment industry have very unique and diversified risks. Many activities include having an audience, using volunteers, and feature performers and actors. For any given event there is exposure to accidents. Most entertainment firms purchase general liability coverage to ensure against losses and injuries to third parties. One problem with this is that the injured parties might have to sue or be involved in a lengthy claims process to obtain claim payments. 

Medical benefits coverage under a general liability policy has limitations. One alternative is for production companies or recreational organizations to purchase Participant Accident Insurance. Participant Accident Insurance can provide accident medical benefits and, at the sponsor’s option, may include accidental death, dismemberment, dental and disability benefits, as well.  If you have operation in foreign countries they also can include worldwide travel assistance services that provide emergency medical, emergency travel, and pre-trip information services.

Actual claim example:

Ten participants were injured at a live event when the stage collapsed causing injuries to the audience. The event production company had secured participant accident coverage and the policy covered the medical bills.  As a result no lawsuits were filed.

Call us today for more information. 

Film Production Stunt Insurance

Safety of performers is always the number one priority; whether it is maintaining a safe working environment or ensuring the physical safety of actors and stunt professionals. Many productions use stunts while filming their movie, commercial, or short film. Even training films often include stunts as part of the production.  However, many traditional insurance packages don’t automatically cover stunt work.

John Hart Insurance can provide special stunt coverage for any production you are involved in. Directors and production companies can attain coverage for the following... Stunts, aerial scenes, falls, fight scenes, recreational vehicles, water scenes, weapons, precision driving, and animals. 

Here are a few if the stunts that should be insured:

•          Aerial Work
•          Fight Scenes
•          Animals
•          Scripted Falls
•          Special Driving
•          Use of Weapons
•          Underwater Work

SAG-AFTRA established INDUSTRY WIDE LABOR-MANAGEMENT SAFETY COMMITTEE

 SAFETY BULLETIN #4 that provides guidelines for safe stunt sequences.

Call us today for more information.

Safety For Animals On Set

If you use animals in your production, you want to hear, ‘No animals were harmed in the making of this production.” That is not always the case. In the making of the first movie in the new "Hobbit" trilogy, 27 animals died at a farm where they were housed during the filming. HBO’s “Luck” had a hose that got frightened and ended up fracturing its skull; it had to be put down. As much as safety is observed accidents happen. The movie Evan Almighty uses over 85 species of animals and no animals were hurt.

Here are a few suggestions for you to consider as part of your safety plan. You may be required to have a representative of the American Humane Association on site.

• Have proper trainers on the set
• Animals must be trained, prepped and in appropriate physical and behavioral condition to perform the required work
• Lame or ill animals may not be used and may not resume work until the condition has been corrected, as determined by a veterinarian
• Have extra water
• Animals should have access to shelter
• Animals should  be checked daily for injury and/or illness
• Dogs should have a collar and be kept on a leash
• Owners must provide proof of the animal’s vaccinations as recommended for the species of animal
• Animals should never be left unattended
• No alcohol shall be used around animals at any time
• The American Humane Association offers resources for you. Remember that John Hart Insurance can insure your animal talent, call us today. 

What Does Property Insurance Cover?

Most of our entertainment clients purchase property insurance. One question we often have is, do clients ever actually read their policies? We hope so. We recommend that every client read their policy and try to understand it. But in case you have not gotten to that, here is an overview of commercial property insurance. Policies will vary, so consider this a brief overview.

The purpose of property insurance for the entertainment industry is to provide financial assistance in the event of a loss (fire, wind, theft) so that the organization can continue to operate with as little disruption as possible.

What is typically covered under a property policy?

• Buildings, furniture, fixtures, inventory, personal property, equipment, cameras, props, sound equipment, etc.

What kinds of losses are covered?

•  Fire, wind, lightning, vehicle damage to the building, weather, theft plus others

What are common exclusions?

•  Earthquake, flood, wear and tear, hurricanes, property not owned by your firm

What are the kinds of coverage needed in the entertainment industry?

•     Property in transit and temporary locations
•          Property for special props and sets
•          Intangible coverage: Includes patents, scripts, copyrights and trademarks
•          Computer virus protection: Covers the loss of data and business through computer viruses
•          Crime and employee dishonesty
•          Business income and extra expense
•          Boiler and machinery coverage

We can examine your current policies to see if you have the coverage you need. Just request an insurance review. An experienced agent will meet with you to go over your policies and explain any details you might not be sure about. As an independent commercial insurance agency we work with a variety of insurers who may be able to provide a quote for your property coverage that could save you money as well.