Insurance -- the big discussion thread

Keith Loh · April 17th, 2003, 11:44 AM

I got home insurance on my apartment and got a rider for the camera gear, by the way. That was the most sensible solution.

Rob Lohman · April 23rd, 2003, 09:21 AM

I can't answer this for US people, but I can tell you what I did
here in Europe. I have a special insurance specially for expensive
things. The insurance isn't too expensive and covers theft, accidents
and things like were you drop your camera and it breaks (not
on purpose ofcourse). But it is only valid for MYSELF. If someone
else drops the camera I am out of luck. Also it is not insured if
I use it for commercial work (which I don't at the moment).

Ofcourse I could have also insured it if I loan it out, rent it out
or use it commercialy, but then it would be much more costly.

Anyways, it is a seperate insurance over here.

Thomas Berg Petersen · May 12th, 2003, 02:12 PM

Initially, I had hoped to shot my short film in a 'guerilla filmmaking style' way to avoid all the paper work with buying insurance etc., but the cast in my short film is going to be SAG cast, so I have to get the proper insurances in place (a general liability insurance and worksman comp. insurance) before SAG will green light my film.

Does anyone have any contacts to insurance brokers or insurance companies for cheap policies?

Thanks!

Don Donatello · May 13th, 2003, 11:06 PM

http://www.productioninsurance.com/entertainment.htm

http://www.csicoverage.com/film_shoot.html

http://www.filmemporium.com/newweb/insurance/

http://www.producers.masterguide.com/globalmedia/insurance.html

http://www.insure-all.com/forms/film_production_insurance_application.htm

http://www.harbourinsurance.com/filmshoots.html

Sean Manning · May 29th, 2003, 09:24 AM

Hey all,

New to the forum, I have a Canon XL1-s that I will be using for a documentary type DVD. I am wondering about insurance for the camera when I am in the field. DO any of you have any recommendations on companies, I don't have property/homeowners insurance so I can't approach it through that. Any ideas would be appreciated......and you will be getting a lot of questions from me in the future! I'm a complete novice at this and I'm looking forward to it ! :-)

Thanks
Sean

Nigel Moore · May 29th, 2003, 09:54 AM

It's a bit difficult to give recommendations on companies when you don't specify where in the world you are.

But my kit is on home contents (you don't have to be a homeowner to get home contents insurance BTW, if you rent you should have it also).

Sean Manning · May 29th, 2003, 10:49 AM

Nigel,
Thanks for the info mate, I'm living in California. I think that I will enquire with my old homeowners property agent. Had to drop it recently because finances were so tight :-)

Best
Sean

Keith Loh · May 29th, 2003, 11:43 AM

I have a rider on my renters insurance as well that protects my camera.

Nigel Moore · May 29th, 2003, 12:01 PM

In my experience, it's cheaper to get kit added to home contents than to take out a separate policy, so it's worth looking in to.

Just make sure that the policy really does cover you for all foreseeable circumstances.

Good luck!

Sean Manning · May 29th, 2003, 03:22 PM

Thanks guys for your input. I appreciate it. :-)

Best
Sean

Derrick Begin · May 30th, 2003, 07:41 AM

Insured my camera through State Farm in New York. (Renters/Apartment insurance) The camera takes up the bulk of the payment because it is used outside of the studio. About 200 bucks a year with a 500.00 deductable.

It also insures everything in my studio.

Cheers!

Paul Sedillo · May 30th, 2003, 07:11 PM

You might take a look at this post from Dylan Cooper. He gives a couple of references to insurance:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=8725

Rob Belics · June 1st, 2003, 11:06 AM

Rental houses require insurance on your part for their equipment. The place I'm going to rent from doesn't have insurance you can get through them. Who sells insurance for equipment and other things for an 8 day shoot? How much?

Brad Higerd · June 4th, 2003, 12:08 PM

I just insured my GL2, Lowepro Dry Zone 200, and all the stuff inside (value based on receipts = $4,200) under my homeowners policy for $56 dollars per year! In addition to the 3 year service agreement through the vendor, my camera is now insured for accidental damage, vandalism, theft, fire, lightening (Big in Central Florida), and any freak accident that might ever happen to it. To make the deal even better, no deductible!

I use State Farm.

Thought someone might like to know about this...

Tustin Larson · June 4th, 2003, 12:41 PM

Brad,
Thank you for that information, I also have all of my equiptment insured under my Homeowners Policy with State Farm. It is even covered if I am out in the field somewhere and gets stolen, damaged, etc. AWESOME!

Thanx,

April 17th, 2003, 11:44 AM	#76
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	I got home insurance on my apartment and got a rider for the camera gear, by the way. That was the most sensible solution. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

April 23rd, 2003, 09:21 AM	#77
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	I can't answer this for US people, but I can tell you what I did here in Europe. I have a special insurance specially for expensive things. The insurance isn't too expensive and covers theft, accidents and things like were you drop your camera and it breaks (not on purpose ofcourse). But it is only valid for MYSELF. If someone else drops the camera I am out of luck. Also it is not insured if I use it for commercial work (which I don't at the moment). Ofcourse I could have also insured it if I loan it out, rent it out or use it commercialy, but then it would be much more costly. Anyways, it is a seperate insurance over here. __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

May 12th, 2003, 02:12 PM	#78
Thomas Berg Petersen Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: NYC, NY Posts: 111	Where 2 buy insurance Initially, I had hoped to shot my short film in a 'guerilla filmmaking style' way to avoid all the paper work with buying insurance etc., but the cast in my short film is going to be SAG cast, so I have to get the proper insurances in place (a general liability insurance and worksman comp. insurance) before SAG will green light my film. Does anyone have any contacts to insurance brokers or insurance companies for cheap policies? Thanks! __________________ Thomas

May 29th, 2003, 09:24 AM	#80
Sean Manning Tourist Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3	Canon XL1-s Insurance Hey all, New to the forum, I have a Canon XL1-s that I will be using for a documentary type DVD. I am wondering about insurance for the camera when I am in the field. DO any of you have any recommendations on companies, I don't have property/homeowners insurance so I can't approach it through that. Any ideas would be appreciated......and you will be getting a lot of questions from me in the future! I'm a complete novice at this and I'm looking forward to it ! :-) Thanks Sean

May 29th, 2003, 10:49 AM	#82
Sean Manning Tourist Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3	Insurance Nigel, Thanks for the info mate, I'm living in California. I think that I will enquire with my old homeowners property agent. Had to drop it recently because finances were so tight :-) Best Sean

May 13th, 2003, 11:06 PM	#79
Don Donatello Hawaiian Shirt Mogul Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: northern cailfornia Posts: 1,261	http://www.productioninsurance.com/entertainment.htm http://www.csicoverage.com/film_shoot.html http://www.filmemporium.com/newweb/insurance/ http://www.producers.masterguide.com/globalmedia/insurance.html http://www.insure-all.com/forms/film_production_insurance_application.htm http://www.harbourinsurance.com/filmshoots.html

May 29th, 2003, 09:54 AM	#81
Nigel Moore Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Switzerland Posts: 358	It's a bit difficult to give recommendations on companies when you don't specify where in the world you are. But my kit is on home contents (you don't have to be a homeowner to get home contents insurance BTW, if you rent you should have it also).

May 29th, 2003, 11:43 AM	#83
Keith Loh Air China Pilot Join Date: May 2002 Location: Vancouver, B.C. Posts: 2,389	I have a rider on my renters insurance as well that protects my camera. __________________ -- Visit http://www.KeithLoh.com \| stuff about living in Vancouver \| My Flickr photo gallery

May 29th, 2003, 12:01 PM	#84
Nigel Moore Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: Switzerland Posts: 358	In my experience, it's cheaper to get kit added to home contents than to take out a separate policy, so it's worth looking in to. Just make sure that the policy really does cover you for all foreseeable circumstances. Good luck!

May 29th, 2003, 03:22 PM	#85
Sean Manning Tourist Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 3	Thanks Thanks guys for your input. I appreciate it. :-) Best Sean

May 30th, 2003, 07:41 AM	#86
Derrick Begin Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New York Posts: 329	Insured my camera through State Farm in New York. (Renters/Apartment insurance) The camera takes up the bulk of the payment because it is used outside of the studio. About 200 bucks a year with a 500.00 deductable. It also insures everything in my studio. Cheers!

May 30th, 2003, 07:11 PM	#87
Paul Sedillo Major Player Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 607	You might take a look at this post from Dylan Cooper. He gives a couple of references to insurance: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthrea...&threadid=8725 __________________ Paul Sedillo Image::Studio http://www.image-studio.com Houston, Texas

June 1st, 2003, 11:06 AM	#88
Rob Belics Major Player Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 581	Rental insurance Rental houses require insurance on your part for their equipment. The place I'm going to rent from doesn't have insurance you can get through them. Who sells insurance for equipment and other things for an 8 day shoot? How much?

June 4th, 2003, 12:08 PM	#89
Brad Higerd Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 186	GL2 Insurance May Not Be As Expensive As You Thought I just insured my GL2, Lowepro Dry Zone 200, and all the stuff inside (value based on receipts = $4,200) under my homeowners policy for $56 dollars per year! In addition to the 3 year service agreement through the vendor, my camera is now insured for accidental damage, vandalism, theft, fire, lightening (Big in Central Florida), and any freak accident that might ever happen to it. To make the deal even better, no deductible! I use State Farm. Thought someone might like to know about this...

June 4th, 2003, 12:41 PM	#90
Tustin Larson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Palm Springs, CA Posts: 86	Brad, Thank you for that information, I also have all of my equiptment insured under my Homeowners Policy with State Farm. It is even covered if I am out in the field somewhere and gets stolen, damaged, etc. AWESOME! Thanx,