Start with how the operation works
Film, TV, and video production insurance should follow the project from development and pre-production through principal photography, post-production, distribution, and wrap. Coverage may be structured for a short-term single production or an annual schedule of multiple productions. The review should identify production budget and term, cast, crew, locations, equipment, vehicles, certificates and contract requirements, travel territory, stunts, sets, rented property, media, and the financial consequences of delay or cancellation. For commercial umbrella & excess liability insurance, umbrella and excess planning tests whether underlying liability limits are adequate for a severe claim or contractual obligation.
Operating details to document
- Description of film, tv & video production operations, locations, revenue, payroll, and recent changes
- Current values and schedules for production general liability, workers' compensation, automobile liability and physical damage, and umbrella or excess, owned and rented production equipment, props, sets, wardrobe, negative or faulty stock, third-party property, and extra expense where available, cast extra expense, errors and omissions, travel or volunteer accident, cyber, crime, and specialized production-interruption coverage where appropriate
- Contracts, certificates, current policies, and currently valued loss history
Coverage details to review
- Additional limits over scheduled underlying policies
- Underlying general, auto, and employer liability requirements
- Follow-form differences and coverage gaps
- Single-location, fleet, product, and catastrophe severity
Prepare the Operation Before a Claim
A useful review goes beyond selecting a policy name. It connects current information to eligibility, policy structure, and the consequences of a significant loss.
- Keep policy and emergency contact information accessible
- Preserve photographs, contracts, inventories, receipts, and incident records
- Know who reports the claim and protects property from further damage
Cast or crew injury, third-party injury, location damage, production interruption, and extra expense
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Owned or rented cameras, lighting, sound, sets, props, wardrobe, negative or faulty stock, and third-party property
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Vehicles, drones, stunts, animals, precision driving, pyrotechnics, water scenes, weapons, travel, media allegations, cyber events, and errors or omissions
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Additional limits over scheduled underlying policies
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Underlying general, auto, and employer liability requirements
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Follow-form differences and coverage gaps
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Single-location, fleet, product, and catastrophe severity
Confirm how this applies to the operation, how it is represented in the application, and where the policy addresses or excludes the exposure.
Information to have ready
- Description of film, tv & video production operations, locations, revenue, payroll, and recent changes
- Current values and schedules for production general liability, workers' compensation, automobile liability and physical damage, and umbrella or excess, owned and rented production equipment, props, sets, wardrobe, negative or faulty stock, third-party property, and extra expense where available, cast extra expense, errors and omissions, travel or volunteer accident, cyber, crime, and specialized production-interruption coverage where appropriate
- Contracts, certificates, current policies, and currently valued loss history
- Complete schedule of underlying liability policies
- Contracts requiring higher limits
- Largest locations, vehicles, projects, or events
- Loss history and plausible severe-loss scenarios
Questions for the coverage review
Which film, tv & video production risks could create the most severe loss?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Do current values, classifications, limits, and deductibles reflect the operation?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
What operational changes, contracts, or dependencies should the insurance review address?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Which policies sit beneath the umbrella or excess layer?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Do contracts require specific limits or coverage wording?
Document the answer and compare it with the application, quote, endorsements, limits, deductibles, and contractual requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Who should use this film, tv & video production commercial umbrella & excess liability insurance guide?
Business owners and insurance buyers can use it to prepare for a focused review of claims readiness. It is educational guidance, not a quote or a substitute for policy terms.
What information should a film, tv & video production account gather first?
Start with description of film, tv & video production operations, locations, revenue, payroll, and recent changes, current values and schedules for production general liability, workers' compensation, automobile liability and physical damage, and umbrella or excess, owned and rented production equipment, props, sets, wardrobe, negative or faulty stock, third-party property, and extra expense where available, cast extra expense, errors and omissions, travel or volunteer accident, cyber, crime, and specialized production-interruption coverage where appropriate, contracts, certificates, current policies, and currently valued loss history, plus currently valued loss information when available.
Coverage descriptions are general. Eligibility, availability, limits, deductibles, exclusions, and policy terms vary by risk and market. Review actual policy documents with an appropriate insurance professional.