Insurance -- the big discussion thread - Page 13 at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > And Now, For Something Completely Different... > Taking Care of Business

Taking Care of Business
The pen and paper aspects of DV -- put it in writing!

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old June 17th, 2004, 10:09 AM   #181
Major Player
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Andalucia, Spain
Posts: 301
Here goes Raoul:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...threadid=17197

Cheers
__________________
Film & TV locations & production Spain
http://www.fotofilmvideo.com/
Dan Uneken is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 17th, 2004, 11:02 AM   #182
Slash Rules!
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 5,472
Yeah, I keep weird hours.

Well, I got a quote back from the production insurance place. For what state farms wants $200 a year for, this place wants around $860! Damn!
Josh Bass is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 17th, 2004, 11:34 AM   #183
Major Player
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Lewisburg PA
Posts: 752
The quotes Josh got are interesting.

The question is how the policies differ. The production insurance folks are "in the business" and so one might assume they have a good idea of the risks they are taking. I wonder about State Farm. One would hate to have a problem and then discover limitations of the coverage.

The difference in price makes one stop and think.
Peter Wiley is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 17th, 2004, 11:39 AM   #184
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Posts: 263
I know what you mean Josh.

I submitted a request for a quote from that company, and with the premium combined with the $1,000 deductible, it's almost more economical to go sans insurance for prosumer gear and if there is a loss just buying new.

-Tim
Tim Brown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 17th, 2004, 11:39 AM   #185
Slash Rules!
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 5,472
No shizzle.
Josh Bass is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 17th, 2004, 11:59 AM   #186
Slash Rules!
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 5,472
One thing I should note is that that quote he gave me covers you internationally, as well. Not a big deal to me, but maybe to some of you.
Josh Bass is offline   Reply With Quote
Old June 17th, 2004, 12:17 PM   #187
Major Player
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Andalucia, Spain
Posts: 301
To me it's obvious: go without insurance. Put the 800 bucks in a separate bank account every year. And be careful with your gear ;-)
__________________
Film & TV locations & production Spain
http://www.fotofilmvideo.com/
Dan Uneken is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 16th, 2004, 08:56 PM   #188
Wrangler
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Vallejo, California
Posts: 4,049
New gotcha for California business

Starting July 1, the state EDD has started enforcing a law that requires a busness who employs Independent Contractors to obtain disability insurance (SDI) for them. If you do not, the penalty can cause serious damage to your company.

So, if like me, you hire Directors and others on a per-job basis and they are truly Independent Contractors, you now have to obtain that very expensive insurance.

Or hire everyone through a temp agency and pay the approximately 150% of the salary you would have paid directly.

So, my prices go up once again. Or I go out of state for narrative work at the least and only have to worry about the Director, the Sound person and the Lighting contractor.

They track this by checking the 542 form (one has to report hiring an Independet Contractor within 20 days of paying them $600 or more per year or agreeing to do so) against the payments for disability insurance.

It is said that the fine can be as much as $10,000 per incident.

Had an opportunity to talk with the local State Senator about this surprise. He knew nothing about it even though he heads up the Finance Committee.

So write your state rep and tell him/her you want that off the books yesterday.
__________________
Mike Rehmus
Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!
Mike Rehmus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 21st, 2004, 01:09 AM   #189
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 106
I claim no mastery over the various in's and outs of independent contracting, but I was under the impression that an independent contractor was supposed to cover him/herself and in return gets the freedom of naming their own wage and how many hours/jobs they intend to work.

I must say this is a serious set-back for independent contractors and employers alike -- like you said, time to take jobs out of new socialist California. If this stuff keeps up I will just send my paycheck to the state government and let them send back what they think I need.

If anyone lives in California who reads this take Mikes advice and write the state reps.
Dean Bull is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 21st, 2004, 06:28 AM   #190
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Plano, TX
Posts: 204
Gee, I wonder why the others are not saying anything about this stupid contradiction. Do they agree with it, or are they saying "screw California" under their breath?

I dont' live in California, but now that we have idiots running the show on both sides of the aisle, with all types of money interests playing puppet masters, this thing might spread.
Law Tyler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 21st, 2004, 01:20 PM   #191
Wrangler
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Vallejo, California
Posts: 4,049
Here's what I just wrote my state Senator

Dear Senator Chesbro,

Thanks for spending time with us at the Vallejo Rotary club last week.

I an very concerned about the requirement that a business has to provide insurance for the Independent Contractors they hire. That is outrageous and I want it removed from California law as soon as possible.

As a small businessman, a video production company, I have to hire directors, camerapersons, sound persons and lighting experts on a per-job basis. These people make their living hiring their company's services to companies like mine.

The effect of this insurance law is to increase by 50% the amount of money I have to charge my clients for their work.

As I've already found out, to nobody's surprise, the price increase is not accepted gracefully.

I feel the state overburdens the small business and this is just the frosting on the cake.

I could make more money by moving out of state and accepting lower prices for my work.

Certainly, until I determine if at least this law will be modified or repealed I will be forced to send contracts for creative work like 3D graphics, narrative services and script-writing out of state.

We continue to make California a hostile place to do business and I'd like you to do something about it before all we can do is stand around and reminisce how nice it was when California had an industrial base.
__________________
Mike Rehmus
Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!
Mike Rehmus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 21st, 2004, 01:35 PM   #192
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: San Mateo, CA
Posts: 3,840
Ahh jeez guys, I'm on my way out there next week! What a bummer. Although, while I owned my own theatrical production company here in texas, I carried liability and workers comp on my independent contractors. Basically, I explained to the show owners, that this was for THEIR protection in case they were hurt. I still sold shows.

Still, it's a pain in the neck.
Richard Alvarez is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 21st, 2004, 03:52 PM   #193
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Hillsborough, NC
Posts: 409
Re: New gotcha for California business

<<<-- Originally posted by Mike Rehmus : Had an opportunity to talk with the local State Senator about this surprise. He knew nothing about it even though he heads up the Finance Committee.-->>>

Maybe it's just me but I'd be as concerned about this as the new insurance requirement. Did you ask him why he isn't doing his job?

Dennis Vogel
Dennis Vogel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 22nd, 2004, 11:14 PM   #194
Wrangler
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Vallejo, California
Posts: 4,049
I don't think any one person can be aware of all of the legislation and laws in California.
__________________
Mike Rehmus
Hey, I can see the carrot at the end of the tunnel!
Mike Rehmus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old July 22nd, 2004, 11:28 PM   #195
Skyonic New York
 
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 614
this is very interesting thread, the only way to fight this legislation is through the courts, prove its un-justifiable...i bet your senator is in bed with the insurance companies, as this is the least friendly small business law i have seen in a long time...

the only thought i have is does this law apply to all california business or all business doing business in california? maybe setting up nevada certificate might help...
Robert Mann Z. is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > And Now, For Something Completely Different... > Taking Care of Business

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:57 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network