Risks That Keep Producers Up At Night

Is Your Commercial Insurance Right For You?

Recently, Forbes ran an article about the top 10 risks business face. The article focused on some of the risks that are hard or impossible to insure through “standard” business or commercial policies. Business insurance is designed to cover unforeseen accidents to third parties, per the terms of the insurance policy. There are many risks that may keep a business owner or manager up at night, and we thought we might share our list with you.

We thought it might be good to address the risks producers and other entertainment professionals may lose sleep over.

Foreign locations.  Many productions are filmed outside of the USA. This can lead to safety, cultural and legal issues. Especially if the production is travelling with a full crew and production team.

High valued equipment, sets and wardrobes. If equipment, sets or wardrobes are damaged or destroyed, they must be replaced. Even under the best of situations, a few weeks’ delay can cost thousands of dollars.

Documentaries or other true stories can lead to creating errors in the truth. While there is always some defense in artistic freedom, it really depends on what was agreed to between the parties involved. Also, rewriting scripts during production can lead to errors in factual information.

Employment Liability. Now more than ever, employees know their rights. The State and Federal Governments are also creating new laws to protect employee’s rights. This increases the risk of being sued for many different reasons including; civil rights, discrimination, and even lawsuits from illegal workers. Employment Practices Liability insurance addresses many concerns business owners may have regarding their employment liability.

Regulatory Risk. Over the past 10 years, government has become more involved in regulating your business. Since the financial crisis in 2008, governments have stepped up their regulatory functions in setting and determining policies for businesses.

Event Cancelation can shut down your production company. Event cancellation insurance protects revenue or expenses from an event against cancellation or postponement of the event for reasons beyond the control of the event organizer.

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.

Commercial Umbrella Insurance For The Entertainment Industry

Entertainment Umbrella Insurance

Almost every entertainment business large or small needs some level of added protection afforded by a commercial umbrella insurance policy. A commercial umbrella policy provides a layer of coverage over and above a primary business and auto policy.  There are at least five important lessons, or facts, to be aware of when considering commercial umbrella insurance.

• An umbrella policy can, but may not always, provide the same coverage as the primary policy.   If you have a “following form excess policy” you can be guaranteed that the excess policy will provide the same coverage as the primary policy.
• Most umbrella policies require at least $1 million dollars of primary or underlying limit.
• Umbrella pricing is usually a predetermined rate based on the underlying premium, but can include the judgment of the underwriter.
• If the primary policy has additional insured’s, they will carry over into the umbrella policy.
• Umbrella policies may have exclusions not found in the primary policy; for example, pollution, workers’ compensation, and product recall.  If you have a true following form excess policy, your exclusions will be the same as in the primary policy.

You may need added coverage if you are involved in

• Film schools
• High risk productions
• Foreign productions
• Use of stunt men
• Concerts and other events

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.

Insurance For Promoters and Event Planners

What Coverage Do I Need for My Special Event?

Are you involved in promoting a special event? Special Event Insurance must be part of your planning. Special Event Insurance can provide the necessary security to ensure that if something does go wrong, you and your guests are protected.

What is Special Event Insurance?

There are many different kinds of Special Event insurance. Depending on your event, there is insurance coverage that addresses the specific risks. Special Event Insurance is designed to protect the event sponsors or planners against liability claims associated with the event. Claims can come from participants, vendors, and other third parties. Here are a few of the different kinds of events that require insurance:

Festivals- This kind of event would include a community gathering in celebration of a community leader, special day, or organization. These events often include food and activities consistent with a theme. Festivals are usually held in parks or other public places which creates liability for the event sponsors. Festival Liability Insurance is the perfect solution to help sponsors manage these risks.

Music/Concert Events – Concerts are events where the sponsor is responsible for managing a large or small crowd around both professional and nonprofessional performers and musicians. Concert sponsors have a responsibility to manage crowds, provide security, and deal with the “talent”. Concert Event Insurance is the most effective method to protect against liability that can occur during concerts and other music related festivals.

Holiday Festivals- Holiday Festivals are usually centered around a specific cultural or religious holiday. They can include crafts, food, performers, and even alcohol. Holiday Festivals, like other events, create liability for the event sponsors. Special Event Insurance provides the necessary coverage to protect the sponsors and other liable parties such as the building owner.

Private Business Events- Companies large and small plan and organize client events, employee training, seminars, and parties. Much like weddings, these events create liability to the company organizing them. Special Event Liability Insurance can provide protection against claims that might arise from third parties. 

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.

Workers’ Compensation Best Practices For The Entertainment Industry

As a business owner in the entertainment industry, you go to great lengths to provide a safe working environment for your employees. But when dealing with humans, accidents can happen and Workers’ Compensation Insurance can help. Workers Compensation Insurance should be an important part of your entertainment risk management program.

What is California Workers’ Compensation?

Workers' compensation insurance is insurance that provides lost income, medical benefits, disability benefits, and rehabilitative services for workers injured on the job or while performing work-related duties.

Why Your Business Needs Workers’ Compensation Insurance

When one of your employees gets hurt on the job or has a work-related illness, only workers’ compensation will cover them. Health insurance benefits will not provide coverage for on the job injuries.

What Is The Best Way To Keep Costs Down?

·      Provide training for hazardous work, especially for new or inexperienced workers.

·      Enforce safety rules and practices.

·      Enforce drug and alcohol rules.

·      Require safety equipment to be worn at all times.

·      Keep work areas clean.

·      Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry around machinery.

·      Where required, you must wear protective equipment such as goggles, safety glasses, masks, gloves, hair nets, etc. appropriate to the task.

·      Safety equipment such as restraints, pull backs, and two-hand devices are designed for your protection. Be sure such equipment is adjusted for you.

·      Do not ever remove machine safety guards.

·      Develop a system for reporting unsafe practices.

·      Have monthly safety meetings that review safety issues and related topics.

·      Create accident investigation procedures that focus on prevention and change.

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.

Property Insurance For Film & Production Companies

Property insurance is critical to all film and entertainment firms. You have hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of equipment that you need to run your productions. The entertainment property policy you purchase has many different terms and we thought it would be good to review.

Covered property includes your equipment and related property used in the entertainment industry including audio, visual, computer, recording, lighting and projection equipment, wardrobes, props, costumes, and fine arts, as well as similar property of others that is in your care, custody, and control.

Property Loaned, Leased or Rented to Others-You’ll have coverage for direct physical loss to covered property you own that you loan, lease, or rent to others.

• Accounts Receivable- Coverage is provided to reestablish accounts receivable records damaged as a result of a covered, direct physical loss.
• Extra Expense- Commonly used equipment is easily and quickly replaced. Specialized or customized equipment may not be. To help you keep your performance commitments, your policy can cover the necessary and reasonable expenses up to a specific limit to expedite the repair or replacement of covered property. We can also cover the expenses to temporarily rent replacement property until your damaged property can be reasonably repaired or replaced.
• Business Personal Property-Your policy covers direct physical damage to your business personal property resulting from a covered cause of loss.         

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

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 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.

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.

The Risks of Drone Ownership

More and more businesses are purchasing and using drones for number of reasons.  Drones have been used in the entertainment business for a number of years.  Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV's), affectionately referred to as "Drones", are revolutionizing the industry as we know it. Drone insurance is a vital component in protecting the "Owner/operator" of the aircraft. Drones are a quickly evolving technology, and the implications and regulations for owning one may change in the near future. Current sales of drones are running about 200,000 for 2015.

Liability Issues with Drones

• Here are a few issues that have not yet been worked out through the courts:
• Who owns the airspace?
• What constitutes an invasion of personal space?
• What are my privacy rights?
•  Who is liable for damage?

Drone Insurance Concern

Most business insurance excludes liability related to an aircraft of any kind. Drone owners should talk to their insurance agent to see if they have coverage and, if not; consider what coverage options might be available. We have the ability to write drone insurance, call us today.

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.