# Production insurance

Source: https://storiara.com/glossary/production-insurance
Last updated: 2026-09-14
Author: Charles Hirschhorn, Storiara

> Production insurance is the set of policies a film or series carries during prep, shooting, and post, typically general liability, rented equipment and property, props, sets and wardrobe, cast coverage, faulty stock or media, extra expense, and hired and non-owned auto. Workers' compensation and errors and omissions insurance are usually separate policies.

## What's in a typical package

| Coverage | What it pays for | Who asks for it |
|---|---|---|
| General liability | Injury or damage to third parties and their property | Locations, permit offices |
| Rented equipment (third-party property) | Loss or damage to rented gear | Rental houses |
| Props, sets, wardrobe | Loss or damage to those items | Production |
| Cast insurance | Extra cost if a covered cast member's illness or injury delays production | Financiers, guarantor |
| Faulty stock, camera, processing / media | Reshoot costs if footage is lost or corrupted | Financiers |
| Extra expense | Extra costs from covered delays, like a location damaged by fire | Financiers |
| Hired and non-owned auto | Vehicles rented or driven for the show | Vehicle vendors |
| Umbrella | Additional liability above the primary limits | Studios, some locations |

[Workers' compensation](https://storiara.com/glossary/workers-compensation) is required by state law and usually comes through the payroll company. [Errors and omissions insurance](https://storiara.com/glossary/errors-and-omissions-insurance) covers clearance and rights claims and is bought separately, often before delivery.

## A claim, worked out

On day 9 a rented lens is dropped and damaged. The repair estimate is $14,800 and the policy's rented equipment deductible is $2,500. Insurance pays $14,800 - $2,500 = $12,300, and production pays the $2,500, which goes to the camera account's loss and damage line, not insurance. If three small claims each fall under the deductible, the production pays all of them, so budgets carry a loss and damage allowance in addition to the premium.

## How it fits prep

1. Get quotes from an entertainment broker once the budget and schedule are drafted.
2. Bind coverage before the first location scout with a vehicle or the first gear pickup.
3. Issue a [certificate of insurance](https://storiara.com/glossary/certificate-of-insurance) for each location, vendor, and permit, with the exact additional insured wording they require.
4. For cast coverage, schedule the cast medical exams the insurer requires.
5. Review what's excluded: stunts, aircraft, water work, animals, and drones often need to be declared.

The [production coordinator](https://storiara.com/roles/production-coordinator) usually tracks certificates, and the [UPM](https://storiara.com/roles/unit-production-manager) deals with the broker on coverage questions.

## Budget and mistakes

Insurance is a [soft cost](https://storiara.com/glossary/soft-costs) in the "other" section of the budget, and premiums are due early, so they show up in the first weeks of the cash flow. Common errors: not declaring a stunt or drone shot, underinsuring rented equipment by listing replacement values from a different package, and letting a policy lapse between the shoot and pickups. A completion guarantor or lender will not close without evidence of coverage, and a [shutdown](https://storiara.com/glossary/shutdown-costs) claim depends on the documentation the production kept.

## Frequently asked questions

### What insurance do I need to film?

At minimum, general liability for locations and permits, coverage for rented equipment, and workers' comp for employees. Financed films add cast insurance, extra expense, and media coverage, and distribution requires E&O.

### How much does production insurance cost?

Premiums depend on the budget, shoot length, locations, stunts, and claims history. Short-term policies for small shoots are quoted per project; larger productions buy a package priced off the budget. Get broker quotes early in prep.

### What is a certificate of insurance?

A one-page proof of coverage issued by your broker, often naming a location owner, city, or rental house as additional insured or loss payee. Most locations and vendors won't let you work without one.