Home » TV Production Insurance

TV Production Insurance

Insurance for TV pilots, series, web series and unscripted shows: short-term or annual, with cast and E&O options. Same-day quotes and certificates in all 50 states.

TV production insurance protects pilots, episodic series, web series and unscripted shows against injuries, property damage, equipment loss and costly delays. A single pilot or a short run of episodes usually fits a Short-Term policy (budget under $1M, up to 60 days). A full season or limited series fits a Production Portfolio policy ($1M–$25M, up to 12 months). A company shooting all year is usually best on DICE / Annual. MovieInsure quotes the same business day and issues certificates the same day once bound.

Reviewed by David Karubian, founder of MovieInsure (about 30 years in insurance). California agency license #0I32322.

Which policy fits your show?

Your production	Policy to ask about	Why
One pilot, shot in a few days or weeks	Short-Term (budget under $1M, up to 60 days) or Production Portfolio (budget $1M–$25M, up to 12 months)	One policy for one project, from prep to wrap
Web series or digital series shot through the year	DICE / Annual	One policy covers every episode and shoot for 12 months; certificates all year
A season, limited series or docuseries	Production Portfolio (up to $25M, up to 12 months) or DICE / Annual	Longer schedules and higher budgets than a short-term policy
Unscripted / reality, with travel and many locations	Short-Term or DICE / Annual, plus travel accident	Location certificates and crew travel are the daily work
A company producing several shows a year	DICE / Annual (up to $25M total budget a year)	One application, one renewal

What a TV production policy can include

Coverage	What it protects
General liability (up to $5M)	Injuries and property damage at locations, studios and public places
Equipment (inland marine)	Owned and rented cameras, lighting, grip and sound gear
Props, sets and wardrobe	Physical production assets
Workers’ compensation (up to $5M)	Cast and crew injured on the job
Hired and non-owned auto	Rental and personal vehicles used for the production
Cast insurance	Extra costs if key talent or the director can’t work because of illness, injury or death
Producer’s E&O	Copyright, title, defamation and privacy claims; required by networks and streamers before delivery
Excess liability (up to $10M)	Higher limits when a network, studio or location contract asks for them

TV pilots

A pilot has to look like the show will. That means real locations, rented gear, cast and a crew for days or weeks. Most pilots under $1M fit our Short-Term program. Larger pilots go on a Production Portfolio policy. If the pilot is going to a network or streamer, plan producer’s E&O early. Buyers ask for it before they take delivery.

Web series and digital series

Web series are usually shot in blocks across the year. Buying a new policy for every block costs more and leaves gaps between shoots. A DICE / Annual policy covers every episode for 12 months. You issue certificates for each location and rental house as you need them, and MovieInsure turns certificates around the same day.

Unscripted and reality

Unscripted shows move fast: many locations, members of the public, crew travel and vehicles. Ask for general liability that meets each location’s requirements, hired and non-owned auto, workers’ comp and travel accident coverage for travelling crew. Stunts, animals and drones can be added as buybacks on Short-Term and DICE policies, subject to underwriting. Tell us about them early.

Episodic seasons and limited series

A season or limited series needs one policy that runs from pre-production through delivery. Production Portfolio covers a single project with a budget from $1M to $25M for up to 12 months. If you produce several seasons or shows a year, compare it with DICE / Annual (up to $25M total budget a year).

E&O for network and streaming delivery

Networks, streamers and distributors require producer’s errors and omissions (E&O) insurance before they accept delivery. It’s usually bought separately from the production package, near the end of post-production. MovieInsure arranges producer’s E&O for series, pilots and specials.

What does TV production insurance cost?

It depends on the budget, number of shoot days, locations, crew size and coverages you choose.

DICE / Annual: starts around $2,000 a year; most clients pay about $5,000–$7,000 a year.
Short-Term and Production Portfolio: priced per project. See our film insurance cost guide for typical ranges, or ask for a quote the same business day.

What we need to quote your show

Production company name and contact
Type of show (pilot, series, web series, unscripted) and number of episodes
Total budget, and budget per episode if it’s a series
Shoot dates and locations (states; any filming outside the U.S.)
Value of owned and rented equipment
Cast and crew size; whether you use a payroll company
Vehicles, stunts, animals, water work, drones or pyrotechnics
Network, streamer or distributor requirements (limits, additional insureds, E&O)

TV production insurance FAQ

Does MovieInsure insure TV pilots? Yes. Pilots with budgets under $1M usually fit our Short-Term program (up to 60 days); larger pilots fit Production Portfolio ($1M–$25M, up to 12 months).

What’s the best policy for a web series? If you shoot through the year, a DICE / Annual policy covers every episode for 12 months and lets you issue certificates whenever you need them.

Do I need E&O insurance for my series? If a network, streamer or distributor will show it, almost certainly. They require producer’s E&O before delivery.

Can you insure unscripted and reality shows? Yes, including location shoots, crew travel and vehicles. Higher-risk activities can often be added as buybacks, subject to underwriting.

How fast can I get a certificate of insurance? We quote the same business day and issue certificates the same day once your policy is bound.

Get a TV production quote · Call 888-959-0772