What is Hired/Non-Owned Auto Coverage?
Hired/non-owned auto coverage is a type of insurance designed to protect businesses when they use vehicles they do not own. These can include cars, vans, trucks, or other vehicles that are either rented (hired) or personally owned by employees (non-owned). This coverage is especially important when a business uses vehicles for work purposes but does not have its own fleet of company-owned vehicles.
Let’s break it down further:
– **Hired Auto Coverage**: This covers vehicles that a company rents or leases for short-term use, such as a rental car used during a business trip or to transport equipment for a production shoot.
– **Non-Owned Auto Coverage**: This applies when employees use their personal vehicles for work-related tasks, like driving to meetings, delivering materials, or picking up props for a shoot.
While many people might think their personal auto insurance covers all scenarios, that’s not always the case when the vehicle is used for business purposes. If an accident happens while the vehicle is being used for work, hired/non-owned auto coverage can step in to protect the business from liability or financial losses.
Why is Hired/Non-Owned Auto Coverage Necessary?
Now that we understand what hired/non-owned auto coverage is, let’s explore why it’s so important for businesses, especially those involved in video or film production.
1. **Covers Liability for Accidents**
One of the main reasons businesses need hired/non-owned auto coverage is to protect themselves from liability if an accident occurs. If an employee or contractor gets into an accident while driving a rented or personal vehicle for work, the business could be held responsible for any damage caused, especially if the personal auto insurance is insufficient.
For example, imagine you’re producing a film and a crew member uses their personal car to pick up equipment. If they are involved in an accident on the way, the business could be sued for damages. Without hired/non-owned auto coverage, the business might face costly legal and medical expenses.
This insurance ensures that the business has protection in case of such accidents, covering legal fees, medical expenses, and damage to property.
2. **Fills Gaps in Personal Auto Insurance**
Many people believe that their personal auto insurance will cover them in all situations, but that’s not always true. When someone uses their personal vehicle for business purposes, their personal auto insurance may not cover accidents that occur during work-related activities.
For instance, if an employee is driving to a production location or delivering equipment for a shoot and is involved in an accident, their personal insurance may refuse to cover the damages because the vehicle was being used for business purposes. In this case, hired/non-owned auto coverage steps in to fill that gap, protecting both the driver and the business from financial loss.
3. **Protects Against Lawsuits**
If an accident occurs involving a hired or non-owned vehicle, and the business is found liable, it could be sued for damages. This includes property damage, medical bills, and other expenses related to the accident. Without hired/non-owned auto coverage, a business could face significant financial losses from lawsuits.
For production companies, this risk is even higher. Production often involves moving equipment, staff, and crew members between different locations. If an accident happens during any of these activities, the company could be responsible for damages or injuries.
Hired/non-owned auto coverage provides the necessary protection, covering legal fees and settlements if the business is sued.
4. **Essential for Production Companies**
Production companies frequently rent vehicles to transport equipment, drive to shooting locations, or move crew members. Whether it’s a rental truck used to carry lighting equipment or a rented van to transport actors, there are many instances where hired vehicles are necessary.
Without proper insurance, an accident involving these rented vehicles could lead to significant financial consequences for the production company. Hired auto coverage protects against the costs of repairing the rented vehicle or covering any third-party damages caused during an accident.
Similarly, many production companies rely on their crew to use personal vehicles for work purposes. Non-owned auto coverage ensures that the business is protected if an accident occurs while a crew member is driving their own car for work-related activities.
Why Production Insurance is Necessary
While hired/non-owned auto coverage is a key part of protecting a business, it’s just one component of comprehensive production insurance. Production insurance is essential for any film, video, or media project because it offers protection against a wide range of risks that could arise during production.
Here’s why production insurance is so important:
1. **Covers Multiple Risks**
Production insurance provides coverage for a variety of risks, from equipment damage to injuries on set. It includes general liability, workers’ compensation, and coverage for rented equipment. Hired/non-owned auto coverage is often a part of a broader production insurance package, ensuring that the business is protected from risks both on and off set.
2. **Ensures a Smooth Production**
When you’re working on a film or video project, unexpected issues can lead to delays, extra costs, or even the shutdown of the production. Production insurance helps cover these costs, ensuring that the project can continue without financial setbacks.
For instance, if a key crew member is injured or if rented equipment is damaged, production insurance can cover the costs of medical expenses or equipment replacement, allowing the production to continue smoothly.
3. **Required by Many Clients and Locations**
Many clients, venues, and locations require production companies to have insurance before they allow filming. This helps protect the venue or location from being liable if something goes wrong during the production.
Without proper insurance, production companies may struggle to secure shooting locations or work with certain clients.
Why MovieInsure.com is the Best Choice
Now that we’ve covered why hired/non-owned auto coverage and production insurance are essential, let’s talk about why MovieInsure.com is the best choice for securing this type of coverage.
1. **Industry Expertise**
MovieInsure.com specializes in providing insurance for the film and entertainment industry. They understand the unique needs and risks that come with film and video production, including the use of hired and non-owned vehicles. With their deep industry knowledge, they can offer tailored insurance packages that meet the specific needs of each production.
Their expertise ensures that you get the right coverage for your project, protecting your business from potential risks.
2. **Comprehensive Coverage Options**
MovieInsure.com offers a wide range of insurance options, including hired/non-owned auto coverage, general liability, equipment coverage, and more. They provide customizable insurance plans that can be tailored to fit the specific needs of your production.
Whether you’re working on a small independent film or a large commercial production, MovieInsure.com has coverage options that will protect your business from start to finish.
3. **Affordable Rates**
Insurance can be expensive, but MovieInsure.com offers competitive rates that make it affordable for production companies of all sizes. They understand that every production has a budget, and they work with their clients to provide the best coverage at a price that fits their needs.
By offering flexible and affordable insurance plans, MovieInsure.com ensures that you don’t have to sacrifice coverage for cost.
4. **Quick and Easy Process**
Getting insurance for a production project can sometimes be a complicated process, but MovieInsure.com makes it easy. They offer a simple online application process that allows you to get a quote and secure coverage quickly. In many cases, you can get insured on the same day.
This fast and easy process ensures that you can focus on your production without worrying about insurance delays.
5. **Outstanding Customer Service**
MovieInsure.com is known for its excellent customer service. Their team of insurance experts is always available to answer questions, help you choose the right coverage, and guide you through the claims process if needed.
Their commitment to customer satisfaction has made them a trusted choice for production companies across the industry.
Hired/non-owned auto coverage is essential for any business or production company that uses rented or employee-owned vehicles for work purposes. It protects the business from liability, covers accidents and injuries, and fills gaps in personal auto insurance.
Production insurance, including hired/non-owned auto coverage, is a crucial part of protecting any film or video project from unexpected risks.
MovieInsure.com is the best choice for securing this type of insurance, offering industry expertise, comprehensive coverage options, affordable rates, and outstanding customer service. The hired/ non-owned auto coverage comes as an additional coverage to the short term policy or the annual production policy. By choosing MovieInsure.com, you can ensure that your production is fully protected from start to finish, allowing you to focus on creating great content.
