John Hart Insurance Top Five Insurance and Safety Ideas

The following information may not make the lineup of any late night TV show, but it can help your entertainment company become more profitable. Call us today for more details.

1. Always carry E & O insurance - This 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. It also protects against alleged libel, slander, defamation of character or invasion of privacy. This coverage will usually be required by a distributor prior to the release of any theatrical or television production.
2. Mind your cables - With most productions, keeping cabling organized is critical. Solutions like rubber mats, cable ramps, and creating an audience free zone in the center of the auditorium can help to ensure safe cable runs.
3. Insure your props and wardrobe – This provides coverage on props, sets, scenery, costumes, wardrobe and similar theatrical property against risks of direct physical loss, damage or destruction occurring during the production.
4. Most Common Rigging Mistakes – These include unrated hardware, incomplete installation, damaged equipment, and improper use.
5. Always call John Hart Insurance for the best possible combination of coverage and pricing.

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.

Professional Liability Risks for the Entertainment Industry

Today almost every production company, film distribution firm, or any business in the entertainment industry can find itself facing a liability lawsuit. A Professional Liability lawsuit can put assets at risk including business assets, resources, and in some cases the personal assets of owners. One simple mistake could cause financial devastation, as well as end a professional career. Some businesses mistakenly fail to realize that they have an exposure to professional loss.

Professional Liability Insurance is sometimes called Errors and Omissions (E&O) coverage. Claims come from errors or omissions in the performance of professional services. Companies that perform production services have an exposure to E & O claims. E & O insurance also protects against alleged libel, slander, defamation of character and invasion of privacy. This coverage will usually be required by a distributor prior to release of any theatrical or television production.

Often claims result from overlooking a critical piece of information, misstating a fact, misunderstandings, forgetting to do something, using copyrighted material or misplacing something. In today’s world, the definition of “standard of care” has broadened through court cases and statute changes. Professional Liability Insurance provides the entertainment industry with protection against potential legal action by clients and other third-parties.

Here are a few actual claim examples:

• A post production firm used images without a license as part of the opening to the film. The owners of the images filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement. The case was settled for $12,000.

• United Talent Agency filed in Los Angeles a breach of contract and fraud lawsuit against World of Wonder Productions over the packaging of the hit Oxygen TV series, Tori & Dean: Home Sweet Hollywood. The agency accused the producer of “deceitful accounting” and underpaying profits to UTA, then refusing to let UTA have full access to its books or records as part of a “blatant attempt” to cover up its accounting practices. http://www.deadline.com/

• Kevin Costner filed a lawsuit against the production company Morgan Creek. The lawsuit alleged it was the production company’s duty to disclose "truthful, accurate, full and complete" revenue information from the film, but it failed to do so. The case was dismissed.  The production company’s insurance paid for the defense of the lawsuit.  http://www.upi.com/

It is never too late to get a quote, so call John Hart today. 

If It Is Fun….We Insure It

John Hart Insurance takes insurance seriously. But we understand that our clients are in the entertainment business, and many times that is fun. You are providing fun and relaxation for the public. Here are just a few of the kinds of entertainment we insure and the most common risk associated with each.

•         Concerts- Injury to spectators
•          Feature Films- Injuries to cast members
•          Theme Parks- Injury to guests
•          Theater Productions- Damage to props and wardrobe
•          Documentaries- Copyright infringement
•          Commercials- Property damage
•          Short Films- Errors and omissions
•          Special Events- Event cancelation
•          Photographers- Owned Equipment
•          Television- Injury to cast and animals
•          Video Productions- Negative film and videotape damage or loss
•          Film Schools- General liability
•          Touring Performers- Non-appearance and cancellation

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. 

Reduce Workers’ Compensation Costs In The Entertainment Industry

Is your company interested in reducing operating expenses and workers’ compensation insurance costs over the long term? Most California Entertainment firms should concentrate on safety and loss prevention, as it provides the best return on investment. John Hart Insurance can provide your firm with insurance options for your workers’ compensation needs.

An effective safety program will include many different items, but we are going to focus on how to reduce common workers’ compensation injuries.

Here are the body parts most commonly injured:

•          Back                24% of injuries
•          Hands              10% of injuries
•          Shoulder          9% of injuries
•          Knee                8% of injuries

Consider these suggestions as part of your safety program:

•          Consider pre-work stretching.
•          Vary working positions frequently; don’t stand, sit, kneel or squat for long periods.
•          Use special equipment when lifting; like lifting straps.
•          Wear non-slip boots.
•          Review accidents and learn how to prevent future ones.
•          Use your legs, and keep your back in a natural position while lifting.
•          Mark out clear walkways.
•          Review your NCCI classification - Accountants will tell you that most workers compensation programs have a 30-35% error rating when it comes to business classification.
•          Do not twist while carrying a load.
•          Complete a safety check of equipment; tools, forklifts, etc.
•          Provide general ergonomics training and task-specific training to all employees.
•          Work with your arms close to your body, not reaching away or overhead.
•          Bags, containers, bundles, etc. should be stored in tiers that are stacked, blocked, interlocked, and limited in height so that they are stable and secure to prevent sliding or collapse.
•          Post safety reminders in common areas throughout your workplace and hand out fliers with safety tips.
•          Change work practices or use equipment to avoid repetitive actions or prolonged tasks.
•          Develop a safe worker rewards program. Offer incentives when your firm has reached 90 days with no accidents. 

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.