Camera Insurance in Australia - Any Recommendations?
 

Hello,

I'm finally making a move to get insurance for my Z1 and all accessories.

I'm getting enough business to have it out of the bag more than it's not so I've decided to cover it.

I'm looking for someone to recommend to me a good company in Austrsalia (preferably Victoria) that covers this sort of gear.

Is there anyone out there that can make a suggestion? I'm having a lot of trouble finding a good company.

Thanks,
-- John.

Business Insurance Policy?
 

I'm having a difficult time finding an insurance company to write me a standard business policy to cover business assets and give me some level of liability coverage. So far three large companies have said "We do not write business policies for video production". Right now I have an Inland Marine policy for about $1100/yr that just covers my equipment.

Can someone point me to an insurance company that can help me?

By business assets are you referring to gear or???

If you ARE refering to gear RVNucciodotcom will cover gear and set up a liability policy for you for a fairly reasonable yearly premium.
They are not set up to handle say a film or video production but offer good solid protection on gear and liability.
BTW, search thru this forum and I think you'll find number of other threads relating to this subject with a number of other suggestions as well.
HTHs

Don

I went to rvnuccio.com and tried to apply on-line. For some reason I got pop-ups saying that I didn't meet the requirements, it did not give details. I'll call them today.

Hmmmm, it sounds like perhaps not all the needed info was input on the forms.
It can be a bit tricky-i would go back and make sure everything was filled out.
Also when you call, you might wind up leaving a message but they're fairly responsive when returning calls.

Good luck,

Don

I just submitted my app to them again and this time got these errors:

This application is not eligible for submission because of the answer(s) to the following question(s):
Commercials = TRUE
Free Lance Photography and/or Videography = TRUE
Infomercials = TRUE
Sports Photography and/or Videography = TRUE
Video Productions = TRUE


Seems to me that they will only cover "event videographers".

You are correct Larry. I called them late last year about coverage but was told that because I shoot commercials, they could not cover me. Only event videographers need apply. I can't recall the name of the representative that I spoke with, but she was adamant about only covering event professionals.

I ended up going the route of a local provider and talking to them about my specific needs and I was more than happy with the results and coverage they were able to provide.

Tim

I went with nuccio for event coverage last year. I recieved quotes from three different companies, and they all underwrote the same insurance carrier. There were marginal differences in the price.

My local rep would handle the event stuff but I think they will handle it as a business. Sell your self as a commercial company or a wedding video company, maybe a marketing/ad company.

Stay away from "film production" company etc.

And even the event insurance is limited in their coverage. No stunts, no pyrotechnics, no rap videos...

contact your regular insurance company about a policy. I am with
State Farm, and have a great policy with them that covers my gear in
and out of the house, along with a 1mil liability policy. Costs about $500 per
year.

Mmmm, but does it cover you if you're engaged in a business activity? Regular homeowners may cover losses of equipment etc for hobby activities but as soon as it becomes a business, even a home based business, it's no longer covered. Theft of your $1000 camcorder from your car while on vacation is one thing, but theft of $25000 worth of audio and video gear from a van with "Joes Wedding Video's" painted on the side is going to present you with a problem convincing them it's only an unpaid hobby <grin>.

Yes, Steve, this is strictly a business policy. It covers 20K worth of gear
with a $250 deductible. I also have an additional 10K in computer equipment coverage on my homeowners as well. I had a personal articles policy
with them a while back, and once I reached a certain level of "equipment or income value" I had to change it.

That's good to know. And does that include liability coverage as well, so if a lightstand falls over on someone on location you're covered?

1 Million in Liability coverage. If your not with State Farm now,
give them a call, cuz they will give you multicoverage discount
with your house, cars, business, etc...

I've talked with my State Farm agent several times (they do my auto & home owners now) and they state that they will *not* cover video production businesses.

Do you have some sort of policy name/type that I could send to my agent?

Ditto on Larry's last comment. I have two policies with State Farm and I've asked them twice about a policy for my business - equipment coverage and liability - they said "no". Of course, they've been known to not have all the answers in the past, especially when I've talked with one of the assistants. Scott - please let us know what type of policy you have - what it's called exactly. Maybe if I can say the right word to my agent it will jog his memory :)

Thanks all!

I ended-up getting a policy with these guys:

http://www.videoinsurance.com/packages.htm#film

$500/yr for $40K in equipment and $1mil liability. It's under-written by OneBeacon.

This is 1/2 the cost of my current Inland Marine policy through State Farm that only covered the equipment!

Hill & Usher specializes in production insurance.

www.hillusher.com

Insurance
 

Guys, is it me or has insurance gone through the roof in the UK video industry since Gordon Brown stopped people rinsing their reddies through film productions?

I need insurance for a shoot next week that will cover loss and damage to our equipment and hire equipment (about £15,000 worth of gear). At the same time I would ideally like to take out some public liability.

At the minute I can not even get anyone to give me a quote for public liability which is obviously a major legal issue. The Government are very eager to enforce business to take out this insurance, but they are pretty remiss when it comes to actually ensure anyone offers it. It almost amounts to a restriction of tradE!

Anyway, if anyone can plug me into a insurance company or broker who can turn this around for me swiftly, even if the cover is just for the day of the shoot, I would be very grateful to be pointed in the right direction.

Rob,

Filming insurance?
 

I was told I need to find insurance for filming in a state park. What kind do I need? What is the cheapest company out there? We aren`t doing anything that would cause damage or harm so is it really needed? The funding is all out of my pocket and I want to save as much as I can.

Hi Nathan,

I would check with your home owners agent or if you don't own a home your renter insurance agent. I have mine through my business and if you add it to a package it is not that expensive.

How was your trip you purchased the back pack for earlier in the summer?

I don`t have insurance of any kind, not even through work. I live with my parents still. I am seeing about this clause
" Waiver of Insurance. The Superintendent has authority to waive the insurance requirement if there is no perceived risk of injury or damage to persons or property resulting from the activity. If no permit is required, no evidence of liability insurance is required."

Since we won`t do anything dangerous or damaging I will make a bid to have it waived.

The trip was postponed to next month...eagerly waiting but need this film done first heh. SO much to do.

Ya i had this same issue, usually you can find places that will insure small gatherings, ie parties, weddings...etc and you can usually squeeze a film set in as one of the things they cover, but this is still 200$ usually at least.

I ended up picking a different location, because if you search around, you can find somewhere that won't require insurance.

Sounds like you should be able to get it waived. Good luck.

Ah well enjoy the trip when you go.

None of the links will open on the site. Do you know what they charge for one day filming shoots? about 15 people?

The usual demand is for public liability insurance. This covers you if, for example, someone trips over a cable and gets injured. Unlikely, but yes, this does happen and they do make claims.

So whats the difference of Public Liability Insurance vs. General Business Liability. I don't have a business yet doing film, its just me...

Basically Public Liability covers any third party claims caused by your filming.

Business Liability can be a broader range of insurance cover required by businesses. There can be cross over between the two.

People can sue you for damages if they're injured by your actions whilst filming regardless if you're a business or not. These days, organisations often insist that you have cover before giving permission to film on their property.

no, just found the link...sorry.

Health?Medical Insurance for the Small Business/Freelancer
 

Health Insurance - it's shear madness, and it seems to be the big white elephant in the room of hush.
My wife and I are shopping insurance - it's always been covered by my employer but we want to break out on our own.
individual insurance can go from4-5000$ to 15000$

What are you guys doing about it - are you going without.
Are you banding together in small groups to get better rates and coverage?
if so how can that group be joined or a new one formed?

any other thoughts on insurance?

all input greatly appreciated..

where to get filming insurance?
 

I tried a local company and they still haven`t gotten around to helping. I need insurance for next weekend for the big fight scenes, and will leave the country 2 weeks later so no chance of pushing it back...where can I get good liability insurace for local filming? $1-$2 million coverage.

Getting coverage for next weekend is going to be a trick, and prob. will cost more.

http://www.ifp.org/experts/expert.php?id=14

http://www.productioninsurance.com/

http://www.productionhub.com/directo...d=6&cat_id=105

I have been using Film Emporium to insure my equipment and they sell production insurance.

www.filmemporium.com Laird Kreiner is the man to talk to.
212-683-2433 or 800-371-2555 (office hours are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm EST).

They sell film, tape, batteries, tapeless media and software as well.

hmm seems none of these cover what i need. I will be doing fight scenes so I need personal liability/medical coverage as well as the equipment

Did you not even look at the links posted?

I did, and in the rules of usage they say "no fight scenes", and '3rd party coverage only". Whats the point of insurance that doesn`t protect the people that are with me? I emailed one company and never heard back.

Sounds like you need full production insurance. A number of companies specialize in that area, you'd have to check in the trade directories or Google for film and entertainment insurance. The downside is it's not cheap and the minimum charge isn't great for a one day shoot.

in general most production insurance don't cover fight scenes, auto action etc however most do issue a additional floater policy to cover it ( it cost more ) ... you have to call them about adding floaters ...
most require professional stuntmen , ambulance/doctor on set , permits , everything on the up and up = it's going tp cost you alot of $$$$$...

Yes, the insurers will want to cover themselves and minimize their exposure.