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Production Insurance Requirements Guide: What Do You Actually Need?
Every filmmaker asks: What insurance do I actually need? This guide helps you identify exactly what is appropriate for YOUR project.
The Golden Rule
If anyone else is involved, you need insurance.
Crew Members
need insurance
Someone Else's Location
need insurance
Rented Equipment
need insurance
Planning to Distribute
need insurance
Public Property Shoots
need insurance
Only exception: Solo shooting with your own gear in your own space with zero public interaction. But even then, risky.
Insurance Needs by Project Type
Different productions have different requirements. Find your project type below.
Feature Film
Minimum:
- GL ($1M): $750-2500
- Equipment: $800-$2.5K
- Workers Comp: $1700-$3.5K
- E&O (if distributing): $3K-$5K
Often needed:
- Cast Insurance $2K-$8K+
- Stunts $500-$3K
- Vehicles $500-$3000
Typical cost:
- Low-budget ($100K) $1.5K-$2.5K
- Mid ($500K) $2.5K-$6K
- Large ($2M+) $8K-$20K+
Short Film / Student Film
Minimum:
- GL ($500K-$1M) $450-$700
- Equipment $150-$400
- WC $0-$1300
Usually needed:
- Certificate of Insurance, Additional insured for venue
E&O
- Only if distributing/submitting to festivals ($800-$1.5K)
Typical cost:
- $600-$1.5K (basic)
Commercial / Advertising
Minimum:
- GL ($1M) $600-$1K
- Equipment $400-$800
- WC $600-$1200
Often needed:
- Additional insured, Hired/non-owned auto, Property damage rider
Typical cost:
- $1.5K-$3K for full commercial package
Documentary
Minimum:
- GL ($1M) $600-$1K
- Equipment $400-$800
- WC $300-$700
- E&O (critical) $800-$1.5K
Additional:
- International coverage if shooting abroad (+$300-$1.5K)
Note:
- E&O CRITICAL for docs (higher claim risk)
Typical cost;
- $1.5K-$2.5K (higher if international)
Music Video
Minimum:
- GL ($1M) $600-$1K
- Equipment $400-$800
- WC $300-$700
- E&O (critical) $800-$1.5K
Additional:
- International coverage if shooting abroad (+$300-$1.5K)
Note:
- E&O CRITICAL for docs (higher claim risk)
Typical cost:
- $1.5K-$2.5K (higher if international)
Web Series / online Content
Minimum:
- GL ($1M) $200-$400
- Equipment $300-$600
- WC $150-$300
E&O:
- ONLY if monetizing/sponsored/copyrighted material ($600-$1.2K)
Per episode typical:
- $800-$1.5K (without E&O)
- $1.2K-$2K (with E&O)
Insurance Needs by Location Type
Your Own property
Needed:
- GL (if anyone else present) $150-$300
- WC (if paying crew) $200-$400
- Equipment if renting $200-$400
- E&O (if dist) $800-$1.5K
Not needed:
- Additional insured (it's your property)
Private Location (With Permission)
Needed:
- GL ($1M) $300-$600
- Additional Insured for owner $0-small fee
- COI $0
- Equipment $300-$600
- WC $200-$400
- E&O (if dist) $800-$1.5K
Key:
- Always provide COI before filming
Public Space/ Commercial Property
Needed:
- GL ($1M-$2M) $500-$1.2K
- Additional Insured (location) $0-small fee
- COI $0
- Equipment $400-$800
- WC $200-$400
- E&O $800-$1.5K
Key:
- Get COI added BEFORE location scout/permit
National Parks/ Government Property
Needed:
- GL ($1M min, often $2M+) $800-$1.5K
- Additional Insured (agency) included/$0
- COI $0
- Equipment $300-$600
- WC $200-$400
Key:
- Government agencies have STRICT requirements
International Locations
Needed:
- International coverage rider (+$300-$2K)
- GL (worldwide) $600-$1.2K
- Equipment $400-$800
- WC (local crew) $300-$600
- E&O (if dist) $800-$1.5K
Additional:
- Some countries require local coverage, kidnap/ransom insurance, travel accident insurance
Insurance Needs by Special Activities
Stunts/ Fight Choreography
Cost:
- +$500-$3K depending on complexity
Requires:
- Licensed stunt coordinator, safety plan
Examples:
- Fist fights (+$500-$800)
- Sword fights (+$800-$1.5K)
- Martial arts (+$700-$1.2K)
- Professional boxing (+$1K-$2K)
Drones/ Aerial Work
Cost:
- +$300-$1.5K
Requires:
- FAA Part 107 license | Drone operator info
Note:
- Insurance covers liability if drone hits person/property
Pyrotechnics/ Explosions
Cost:
- +$1K-$5K+ (highest specialty cost)
Requires:
- Licensed pyrotechnician
- Specific pyro plan approved
Note:
- Most expensive specialty risk
Water/ Swimming/ Underwater
Cost:
- +$300-$1K
Requires:
- Water safety plan
- Lifeguard (if required)
Animals on Set
Cost:
- +$500-$2K depending on animal
Requires:
- Professional animal handler/trainer
- Veterinarian on set or nearby
Note:
- No actual harm to animal required (SAG-AFTRA rules)
Vechiles / Driving Scenes
Cost:
- +$300-$1.5K
Requires:
- Driver licenses verified
- Stunt driving rider (if chase/stunts)
Weapons/ Firearms
Cost:
- +$500-$1.5K
Requires:
- Licensed armorer on set
- Safety plan for weapons handling
Insurance Needs by Distributor/Funder
Your Own property
Required:
- GL ($1M-$5M) $800-$2K
- Equipment $500-$1K
- WC $400-$800
- E&O (CRITICAL) $2K-$5K
- Completion bond (for financing)
E&O timeline:
- Must be in place BEFORE distribution
Streaming (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu)
Required:
- E&O Insurance (ALL platforms require) $1.5K-$4K
- GL $600-$1.2K
- Equipment/WC $500-$1K
E&O minimum:
- $1M coverage
- Claims-made form
- Continuous coverage (can't lapse)
Festival Submission
Required:
- E&O (most major festivals require) $800-$1.5K
- GL $300-$600
- Equipment/WC $300-$600
Note:
- Many festivals won't even look at film without E&O proof
Television Broadcast
Required:
- E&O (required) $1.5K-$3K
- GL $600-$1.2K
- WC $400-$800
- May require broadcast-specific insurance
Additional:
- May require higher E&O limits
Yutube / Monetized Content
Required IF monetized:
- E&O (covers copyright claims) $600-$1.2K
- GL $200-$400
- WC $200-$400
NOT needed if:
- Personal/non-monetized upload or no copyrighted material
Grand Funded Production
Usually required:
- GL ($1M min) $500-$1K
- Equipment $400-$800
- WC $300-$600
- Often E&O $800-$1.5K
Note:
- Varies by grant - check requirements before applying
Studio/ Investor-backed
Required:
- GL ($2M-$5M) $800-$2K
- E&O $1.5K-$4K
- Completion bond
- Cast insurance $2K-$8K+
- WC $400-$1K
Union Requirements (SAG-AFTRA)
SAG Ultra-Low Budget
Under $75K productions
- GL ($1M): $400-$700
- WC: $300-$500
- E&O (if distributing): $800-$1.2K
SAG Modified Low Budget
Under $700K productions
- GL ($1M-$2M): $600-$1K
- WC: $400-$700
- E&O: $1K-$1.5K
SAG Low Budget
Under $2.6M productions
- GL ($2M): $800-$1.5K
- WC: $500-$900
- E&O: $1.5K-$2.5K
How to Know You're Covered Enough
Ask yourself these 5 questions. If any answer is NO, you need to adjust your coverage.
If someone got injured, could my insurance cover medical bills?
Yes = Covered | No = Need General Liability
If rented equipment broke, could I replace it?
Yes = Covered | No = Need Equipment Insurance
If I damaged a location, could I pay for repairs?
Yes = Covered | No = Need GL with property damage
If I wanted to distribute, do I have E&O?
Yes = Covered | No = Need E&O Insurance
If my location requires proof, do I have a COI ready?
Yes = Covered | No = Request a COI from insurer
Your Results
All YES = Fully covered | Any NO = Adjust coverage before shooting
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