Five Keys To Safety For Any Production

It seems that there are far too many injuries and accidents around movies and other productions. In our mind one accident or loss is too many. While our agency does not provide safety services, safety should be part of every production. If we can help reduce accidents there will be fewer insurance claims and a more productive work force. Having a comprehensive safety program cannot guarantee your production will be accident free, but it is the right thing to do.

Five Keys to Safety

1. Have well written safety procedures for all activates. Know what OSHA requires and then attempt to exceed their standards
2. Provide regular training. Safety only works if your crew understands what their roles and responsibilities are.
3. Celebrate success. There is nothing better than to complete a production with no accidents or injuries. Provide rewards and celebrate with your crew!
4. Make safety more about behavior rather than rules. Effective safety in the entertainment industry is about changing behavior. This attitude must start at the top. Producers and managers must be onboard with creating an environment where safety is valued and appreciated.
5. Safety should not be just about following OSHA guidelines, but reducing unsafe behavior and accidents. OSHA guidelines should always be followed, but more important, is that you should have a accident free production. That may take more work than just following OSHA rules.

Safety and insurance when combined is a powerful tool to help production companies reduce losses, minimize accidents and even keep premiums as competitive as possible. 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.

At John Hart Insurance.... "If it's fun, we insure it"

That is our motto, but just what do we mean by this? JohnHart Insurance specializes in the entertainment industry. The entertainment industry creates fun, educational and even inspirational movies, TV, film and more. With this activity comes a certain amount of risk. Risks can include lost or damaged equipment, injury on sets, copy write litigation, injury to cast and crew and more. Our job is to partner with our clients to help them reduce their risk and protect their assets.

Our clients develop, create and produce fun productions for the public. At John Hart Insurance, we help manage the risk associated with creating fun. 

Here are some of our key products and services:

• Insurance For  Props, Sets and Wardrobe: Covers damage to specific equipment during production or events.
• Producers Errors & Omissions: 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.
• Workers Compensation: Covers injury to crew members as required by state law.
• Insuring Equipment: Covers cameras, sound/lighting equipment and rented or leased equipment.
• Cast Insurance: Covers production companies’ extra expenses in the event of death, injury or illness to performers.
• Comprehensive Liability Coverage: Protects the production company against claims for bodily injury or property damage liability arising out of filming. Coverage includes use of all non-owned vehicles (both on and off camera) including physical damage to such vehicles. This coverage will be required prior to filming on any city or state roadways, or any location sites requiring filming permits.

What Is The Difference Between An Independent Agent And A Direct Writer?

Commercial insurance including some entertainment insurance can be purchased on line these days. Many companies spend millions in ads. These ads may be entertaining, but how in the world can you really tell these companies apart? What are the differences?  Is one company really better than any other?  Will the coverage, price, and service meet my needs?

There are two distinct kinds of agents in the United States; Independent brokers and direct writers. Let’s define these for you.

Independent Broker- John Hart Insurance

An independent broker is a business that is owned and operated by local business professionals. Some larger firms may have a board of directors and many partners, but usually the ownership is local and independent. These brokers offer many different insurance products through many different insurance companies. Independent brokers sell the products that most appropriately meet the needs of their clients. Independent brokers typically are very well trained and knowledgeable of the complexities of the insurance market and insurance law.

Most independent brokers have multiple companies from which to shop your insurance needs. This makes it more likely that they will find the exact fit for your specific situation. It also allows for greater competition, which benefits the client.

The goal of the independent broker is to provide the best possible combination of coverage, price and service. For example, independent agents have experience in understanding what services insurance companies provide and are able to match unique services with client needs. Not all insurance companies are alike.

The John Hart Agency specializes in the entertainment industry. 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.

Direct Writers

A direct writer is an agent who distributes policies for only one insurance company. Direct writers are agents paid by the insurance company and cannot utilize the entire insurance market.

The value of the insurance you buy truly is established when and if you have a claim. Independent brokers advise and help clients through the claim process.

Stunt Insurance is no Accident

Many productions in California and other places use stunt men and women in their filming. Stunts can be risky and dangerous, but we all love the final outcome. Even training films often include stunts as part of the production.  However, many traditional insurance packages don’t automatically cover stunt work. We can provide the right kind of insurance for your production company.

Stunt Insurance

We can provide special stunt coverage for many of the productions you are involved in. Producers 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

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 Property Insurance Cover?

Entertainment Property Insurance

John Hart Insurance has provided all facets of the entertainment industry with highly specialized insurance coverage and service. Whether it's for crew, talent, props, equipment, or intellectual property, our experts can satisfy your unique insurance needs.

Most of our entertainment clients purchase property insurance. There is a variety is coverage options depending on your individual needs.

Types of Industries we insure

•      Commercial films
•          Music videos
•          Musicians
•          Concert promoters
•          Entertainers and performers
•          Performance venues
•          Commercials, documentaries, industrial & educational training films
•          Commercial films
•          Music videos
•          Musicians
•          Broadway productions
•          Rental houses
•          Concert promoters
•          Entertainers and performers
•          Performance venues
•          Commercials, documentaries, industrial & educational training films

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

•          Property in transit and temporary locations
•          Insurance for buildings and office equipment
•          Property for special props and sets
•          Specialized insurance for cameras
•          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.

Common Claims for the Entertainment Industry

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 the client manage the risks inherent to their unique businesses.

Common Entertainment Industry Claims

•             A production company was contracted to complete a film with certain time and budget constraints. The production came in 30% over budget and 120 days late. The production company was sued for failure to perform per the contract terms.
•             An event planner scheduled a concert with an international performer. The event was planned and scheduled, with over 5,000 tickets sold. The performer got sick two days before the event and had to cancel. The event planner had Event Cancelation Insurance and had the resources to settle all claims and reschedule the event for a later date.
•             A production company had $200,000 worth of equipment damaged on set by a sudden wind and hail storm. Insurance provided full recovery.
•            A post production firm was contracted to produce 20,000 DVD’s for the Christmas season. Due to production issues the firm missed the release time and the owners of the DVD sued the firm for lost revenue.

We can help you design an insurance product that meets your individual needs, Call us today!

Multimedia Production E&O Insurance

Multimedia Production Errors & Omissions Insurance

Multimedia Production Errors & Omissions Insurance protects the Production and/or Distribution Company from various lawsuits that allege a third party has suffered a loss. Some of the most common kinds of claims come from:

Multimedia Production Errors & Omissions Insurance protects the Production and/or Distribution Company from various lawsuits that allege a third party has suffered a loss. Some of the most common kinds of claims come from:

• Libel, slander or other forms of defamation- Did the material damage someone’s reputation? Was there false or inaccurate information stated about someone?
• Infringement of copyright- Did you use material, images, or a script without persimmon?
• Unauthorized use of names, trade names, service marks, titles, formats, ideas, characters, character names, characterizations, plots, musical compositions, performances, slogans, program material or any similar material.

There are many types of actions that can cause a third party to sue you, your production company, individually or collectively. Having the right kind of insurance will protect you from incurring expenses--even if you are in the right.

We always recommend a policy and operational review before we suggest specific coverage. But here are a few coverage highlights:

• Limits of $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. More if needed.
• Title coverage
• Merchandising coverage
• Worldwide coverage
• Ability to add additional insured

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 the client manage the risks inherent to their unique businesses.

We handle many kinds of entertainment risks including; Animation, Commercials, Documentaries, Educational & Training, Feature Films, Industrials Infomercials, Music Videos, Radio Series, Television, Theatrical Productions, Training Videos, Video Distributors