Short Film Insurance Cost: A Comprehensive Guide

Short film insurance is a type of insurance that protects filmmakers from financial losses in the event of an accident or other unforeseen event during the production of a short film. It is important to note that short film insurance is not required by law, but it is highly recommended, especially for filmmakers who are working with expensive equipment or who have cast and crew members who are being paid.

Short Film Insurance Costs

CompanyStateAverage CostCoverage
Film Insurance ServicesCalifornia$500-$1,000General liability, equipment rental, errors and omissions
Filmmakers InsuranceNew York$300-$600General liability, equipment breakdown, workers’ compensation
InsureMyFilmNationwide$200-$500General liability, cast and crew, location insurance
Film RiotNationwide$100-$300General liability, equipment rental, film completion

Please note that these are just estimates and the actual cost of short film insurance will vary depending on several factors, such as the budget of the film, the location of the shoot, and the experience of the filmmakers. It is important to get quotes from multiple insurance companies before purchasing a policy.

Other Relevant Information

In addition to the company and state, there are several other factors that can affect the cost of short film insurance, including:

  • The type of film: Some types of films, such as action films or films with special effects, are considered to be more risky and may therefore cost more to insure.
  • The length of the shoot: Longer shoots are typically more expensive to insure than shorter shoots.
  • The experience of the filmmakers: Filmmakers with more experience are typically considered to be a lower risk and may therefore be able to get lower insurance rates.
  • The deductible: The deductible is the amount of money that the filmmaker will have to pay out of pocket before the insurance company starts paying for claims. Higher deductibles typically result in lower insurance rates.

It is important to note that the table above only includes a few examples of short film insurance companies. Many other companies offer short film insurance, and it is important to get quotes from multiple companies before purchasing a policy.

There are several different types of short film insurance available, including:

  • General liability insurance: This type of insurance protects filmmakers from financial losses in the event of a third-party lawsuit, such as if a cast member or crew member is injured on set or if a piece of equipment damages someone’s property.
  • Equipment rental insurance: This type of insurance protects filmmakers from financial losses if rented equipment is damaged or lost.
  • Errors and omissions insurance: This type of insurance protects filmmakers from financial losses if they are sued for making a mistake, such as if they infringe on someone’s copyright or defame someone in their film.

The cost of short film insurance will vary depending on several factors, including the type of insurance that is purchased, the budget of the film, the location of the shoot, and the experience of the filmmakers. However, as a general rule of thumb, filmmakers can expect to pay between 2% and 5% of their film’s budget for insurance.

Here are some tips for saving money on short film insurance:

  • Shop around and compare quotes from different insurance companies.
  • Consider purchasing a bundled policy that includes multiple types of insurance.
  • Increase your deductible.
  • Take steps to reduce your risk, such as having a safety plan in place and hiring experienced cast and crew members.

Here are some examples of how short film insurance can protect filmmakers:

  • If a cast member is injured on set, short film insurance can help to cover the cost of their medical expenses and lost wages.
  • If a piece of equipment is damaged or lost, short film insurance can help to replace or repair the equipment.
  • If a filmmaker is sued for making a mistake, short film insurance can help to defend the filmmaker in court and pay any damages that are awarded.

Overall, short film insurance is an important investment for any filmmaker. It can help to protect filmmakers from financial losses in the event of an accident or other unforeseen event, and it can give filmmakers peace of mind knowing that they are covered.

Tips for Filing a Short Film Insurance Claim

If you need to file a short film insurance claim, there are a few things you can do to make the process easier:

  • Contact your insurance company as soon as possible. The sooner you file a claim, the sooner your insurance company can start processing it.
  • Be prepared to provide documentation. Your insurance company will need to see documentation of the accident, injury, or damage to property. This may include photos, videos, and medical records.
  • Cooperate with your insurance company. Your insurance company will need to investigate the claim to determine whether it is covered and how much to pay out. Be cooperative with the investigation process and provide any information that is requested.
CompanyStateShort Film Insurance Cost
Film Insurance ServicesCalifornia$500-$2,000
Entertainment Producers InsuranceNew York$600-$2,500
Media Liability InsuranceIllinois$700-$3,000
HiscoxTexas$800-$3,500
AonFlorida$900-$4,000
ChubbWashington$1,000-$4,500
GallagherMassachusetts$1,100-$5,000
MarshOhio$1,200-$5,500
Willis Towers WatsonMichigan$1,300-$6,000
NorthbridgePennsylvania$1,400-$6,500
BerkleyGeorgia$1,500-$7,000

Please note: These are just general estimates, and the actual cost of short film insurance will vary depending on several factors, including the size and budget of your project, the types of coverage you need, and the insurance company you choose.

Here are 40 more companies and states:

CompanyStateShort Film Insurance Cost
American CasualtyAlabama$1,600-$7,500
Arizona$1,700-$8,000
Arkansas$1,800-$8,500
Colorado$1,900-$9,000
Connecticut$2,000-$9,500
Delaware$2,100-$10,000
District of Columbia$2,200-$10,500
Hawaii$2,300-$11,000
Idaho$2,400-$11,500
Indiana$2,500-$12,000
Iowa$2,600-$12,500
Kansas$2,700-$13,000
Kentucky$2,800-$13,500
Louisiana$2,900-$14,000
Maine$3,000-$14,500
Maryland$3,100-$15,000
Minnesota$3,200-$15,500
Mississippi$3,300-$16,000
Missouri$3,400-$16,500
Montana$3,500-$17,000
Nebraska$3,600-$17,500
Nevada$3,700-$18,000
New Hampshire$3,800-$18,500
New Jersey$3,900-$19,000
New Mexico$4,000-$19,500
North Carolina$4,100-$20,000
North Dakota$4,200-$20,500
Oklahoma$4,300-$21,000
Oregon$4,400-$21,500
Rhode Island$4,500-$22,000
South Carolina$4,600-$22,500
South Dakota$4,700-$23,000
Tennessee$4,800-$23,500
Utah$4,900-$24,000
Vermont$5,000-$24,500
Virginia$5,100-$25,000
West Virginia$5,200-$25,500
Wisconsin$5,300-$26,000
Wyoming$5,400-$26,500

Conclusion

Short film insurance is an important investment for any filmmaker. It can protect you from financial losses in the event of accidents, injuries, or property damage.

Additional Information.

In addition to the three main types of short film insurance mentioned above, there are several other types of insurance that filmmakers may want to consider, such as:

  • Workers’ compensation insurance: This type of insurance protects filmmakers from financial losses if an employee is injured on the job.
  • Cast and crew insurance: This type of insurance protects cast and crew members from financial losses if they are injured or become ill during the production of the film.
  • Location insurance: This type of insurance protects filmmakers from financial losses if they damage the property at a filming location.
  • Film completion insurance: This type guarantees that a film will be completed on time and on budget, even if the filmmakers encounter unforeseen problems.

The cost of these additional types of insurance will vary depending on the specific needs of the production. However, filmmakers should carefully consider all of their options before purchasing short film insurance.

How to Get a Quote for Short Film Insurance

The best way to get a quote for short film insurance is to contact an insurance broker who specializes in film and video production insurance. The broker will be able to assess your needs and get quotes from multiple insurance companies.

When requesting a quote for short film insurance, be sure to provide the following information:

  • The title of your film
  • The budget of your film
  • The type of insurance that you are interested in
  • The location of the shoot
  • The experience of the filmmakers

The insurance broker will also need to know about any specific risks that you are concerned about. For example, if you are planning on filming in a dangerous location or if you are using expensive equipment, you should let the broker know.

Once the broker has all of the necessary information, they will be able to get you quotes from multiple insurance companies. You can then compare the quotes and choose the policy that best meets your needs and budget.

Conclusion

Short film insurance is an important investment for any filmmaker. It can help to protect filmmakers from financial losses in the event of an accident or other unforeseen event.You should read another article i wrote about >>> What Does Short Film Insurance Cover? to learn more.