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.

California Business Interruption Insurance

Coverage for every movie production company

Business Interruption Coverage is part of commercial insurance policies. This coverage is most commonly found in Commercial Property Insurance Policies and Business Owner’s Policies (a package policy for small businesses, often referred to as a “BOP”). If you own a production, film, TV, media, or Entertainment Company, California Entertainment Business Interruption insurance should be part of your program. Remember John Hart Specializes in your industry. There are a number of important elements to Business Interruption Insurance:

1.     .  Coverage is triggered by a covered loss; for example fire, wind, etc.
2.     .  There is a waiting period that acts like a deductible.
3.     .  Coverage is limited to lost net income, temporary relocation, and ongoing expenses such as payroll that enables businesses to continue paying employees rather than laying them off.
4.     .  There is a time period for recovery, usually 12-18 months.

Extra Expense Insurance reimburses your company for expenses, over and above normal operating expenses, to avoid having to shut down during the restoration period. Usually, extra expenses will be paid if they help to decrease business interruption costs

Business Interruption Insurance can be as vital to the survival of your production firm, studio or company as Fire Insurance. Make sure your policy limits cover a sufficient amount of time to rebuild your business. It can take more time than anticipated after a major disaster to get your business functioning again. 

John Hart Insurance Agency Insures Animals

Animals have been used in movie-making, advertising, documentaries, print, and various production functions since the early days of the industry.  The American Humane Association has worked for many years to protect animals in films. This confirms how important animals are in movies, TV, documentaries and other productions.

Animal Mortality insurance will pay an agreed value for your animal actors if it dies from any accidental or natural cause. This coverage protects you against loss as a result of a variety of perils, including fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, theft, collision, upset while in transit, accidental shooting, and drowning.  Plus, it pays the agreed value of the animal actor if death was caused by one of the perils listed on the policy.

How it Works…it is simple

We get the resumes on the animal actors and their wranglers.  We can then write Animal Mortality coverage (life insurance) on the animals for a predetermined value.

How do you place the value on a unicorn?  On two unicorns? Ask John Hart to find out.

Property Insurance For Production Firms Part II

Part one of property for film and production companies we talked about; definition of covered property, leased or rented property, accounts receivable, extra expense, and business personal property. Now let us cover some additional areas. 

Rental Reimbursement -Coverage for continuing rental or lease charges you are legally obligated to pay under a written lease or contract for covered property you rent or lease from others when that property has a loss.

Newly Acquired Property-newly acquired entertainment equipment is covered usually, for up to $10,000, for 45 days or until the expiration or cancellation of the policy, whichever comes first.

Valuable Records, Data, and Software-Record keeping is essential for any business. Your policy can include coverage to restore, replace or reproduce your valuable records, data and software.

Unexplained Disappearance-Your coverage is extended to provide up to a specific limit towards the cost to replace covered property that is discovered to be lost or missing upon taking inventory and for which you can furnish a sales receipt or manufacturer’s packaging.

Exhibitions-Equipment that is physically damaged by a covered cause of loss while on temporary exhibition is covered. Error in Repairing, Restoration, or Retouching Your policy also extends coverage to the loss resulting from your employees’ defective workmanship in repairing, restoring, or retouching covered property. 

John Hart insurance can provide your film or production company with:

• Coverage is available for a wide variety of equipment used in the arts and entertainment industry
• The policy typically covers:
•  Property in storage
•  Property in transit
•  Property owned by others and in your care, custody, or control
•  Property on exhibition
• Expediting expense, rental reimbursement, exhibitions, and other important coverage additions and basic limits can be built-in
• Coverage is available on a scheduled or blanket basis
• Limits may be customized to meet your individual needs

Note: All coverage described here would be subject to specific limits depending on policy terms.