None of my actors are in the union. I don't feel like dealing with SAG -- at least when making a short film.

<<<-- Originally posted by Michael Bernstein : Deniz,

You don't specify whether your actors are members of SAG (Screen Actors Guild, the union) or not. I have heard that SAG requires the producer of any film to have insurance (workmen's comp, anyone?) before it will allow SAG actors to work on the project.

Since I may want to shoot with SAG actors in the near future, I'd be delighted if anyone else has the straight dope on this.

(By the way, the SAG Indie website doesn't come out and say that you MUST have insurance, but they do list insurance companies for e.g. New York State:

http://www.sagindie.com/res-Ny/ny118.html)

Michael -->>>

I'm currently vetting a SAG signatory agreement for one of my clients. Though the Indie agreement may differ (ours is for interactive media, i.e. computer games), ours requires insurance. If you call SAG, they should be able to provide a copy of the applicable agreement, which will set out all of the requirements for employing SAG talent.

Equipment insurance
 

Hi,

Could anyone here based in the UK make any recommendations for good (if there is such a thing!) insurance companies for video equipment in the UK? Until now I've only had to cover relatively minor equipment, but now I am getting a much more expensive camera. Are there any broadcast or video camera specific insurance companies out there?

If you are doing commercial video, you really need several types of insurance:

1. Equipment coverage
2. Company liability
3. Errors and Omissions.

In the US, WEVA is the best bet for insurance coverage. Once one is a member, #'s 1 & 2 are about $550 per year, #3, for events and weddings only, is about $70 per year from Lloyds.

Location Insurance
 

Im in seattle and am doing a location shoot in miami. the facilty wants me to sign a contract saying I am insured for any damages that may occur during shoot.

what can i do, Im a LLC but have no Location Insurance or Insurance of any kind plus I dont have the foggyist idea how to get it or how this is normally handled.

Normally you approach an insurance company that is specialised in this kind of thing. You present the script and the budget and they take a percentage according to their assessment of the risk involved. Something like 3 to 5 % of budget for a "normal" production. Don't know the companies in the US, but they should not be too hard to locate.

anyone else???? do i go to a generic company like allstate or???

Insurance deals
 

I have a comany that I use but would love to shop around for a better deal. Any recommendations?

Ever had to use your insurance?
 

I'm looking to get liability/comp insurance. I've seen numerous people talk about the cheap insurance out there but has anyone ever made a claim? $300/year insurance seems really cheap to me and I'd hate to get a policy that does not actually pay anyting.

Thoughts?

I used to insure thru my H/O,car and life company one of the biggies-you know the one that statesall over-then they decided to get out so I switched my business insurance to another biggie, the one where you're in good hands but they were pretty costly. I now have ALL of my gear insured thru RV Nuccio. Not only all the gear but a very nice liability policy as well. About 400 a year AND its thru Firemens Fund Insurance, a rather large and well known company. KNOCK ON WOOD!!!! In almost 22 years in video, I've never had to use the policy at all. (I probably just set myself up;-0)
Anyway Nuccio is done online and a legit company (they're a broker) and the rates are good.
Find them at www.rvnuccio.com read thru the site and all your questions should be answered. BTW, no I don't work for them.
Don B

Insurance and low-cost Errors and Omissions (professional liability) Insurance
 

Anyone know of any low-cost insurance and Errors and Omissions (professional liability) Insurance??? (other than joining WEVA).

This will be for wedding and event videographer .

Thanks
Trent

Do you have homeowners and auto insurance? If so, then talk to your agent. That's what I did when I needed to insure my equipment for a trip and they came up with a nice policy. If you have coverage from different companies it might be worth considering consolidating it all through one company, and use a local agency so you have a real person to talk to if there are problems.

FWIW, I has State Farm...

but does that cover on site issues or just travel? And what about E&O? Does your policy cover that too?

Thanks for the reply

Trent

No, I don't have that kind of policy. But my point was that you should establish a relationship with a real person at a local insurance agency. If you give this same person your auto, homeowners, and personal liability umbrella policy then it may help you to get favorable rates.

You want someone who will stand behind you in the event of a claim. Asking strangers on the internet for information about "low cost insurance" may not bet the best strategy...

For liability and equipment coverage I use RVNuccio. They are a broker that places policies thru Firemens Fund. They're pretty reasonable also. Check out RVNuccio.com.
As for E&O, frankly in 23 years I've never had it nor thought about having it for weddings and events. If you're contract, ooops, I mean AGREEMENT is spelled out properly meaning a good contract attorney wrote it up properly you really would have little if any need for E&O. My agreement clearly states that things like camera placement (one example) is at the discrection of the operator AND will be within the rules and regulation as set forth by the venue and officiant, meaning that I will put my cameras where I feel I will get the best coverage BUT the house rules apply before all else and I can't be responsible if something gets missed because of the house rules. The list goes on to cover virtually every contigiency I have ever come across in 23 years and perhaps a few I haven't but probably will. I think its better to have it in writing than to wonder and worry "will my insurance cover me if...)
Write it tight, CYA and you'll be fine for weddings and other social and corporate type events.

Don