How the cost is figured
Comp insurers price by class code: a stunt performer and a production office coordinator are rated very differently. The formula is payroll divided by 100, times the rate for that class. With sample rates:
| Class of work | Payroll | Rate per $100 | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office and clerical | $40,000 | $0.40 | $160 |
| General production crew | $180,000 | $3.50 | $6,300 |
| Stunts | $22,000 | $12.00 | $2,640 |
| Total | $242,000 | $9,100 |
The crew line is $180,000 / 100 x $3.50 = $6,300. The blended rate across all payroll is $9,100 / $242,000 = 3.76%. These rates are placeholders; real ones come from your payroll company or broker and change by state. When a payroll company provides comp, it usually bills a single percentage that already blends the classes for your show.
Where it goes in the budget
Comp is a fringe. It's applied to each labor line's wages (including overtime) and not to non-wage payments like per diem or kit rental. Some budgets keep a separate comp fringe for stunts so the higher rate doesn't inflate every account.
Common gaps
The problems usually show up after someone gets hurt:
- A crew member was paid through a loan-out company that had no comp policy, so neither policy covers them.
- The production shot in a second state and the policy wasn't extended there.
- Unpaid interns or volunteers weren't covered.
- The show paid a few people in cash outside payroll.
Each of these can leave the production paying medical bills and lost wages directly. Production insurance packages don't replace comp; general liability excludes injuries to your own employees.
On set
Comp claims start with an incident report the same day. The set medic documents treatment, the 1st AD notes it on the daily production report, and the payroll company or broker files the claim. Locations often ask for a certificate of insurance showing both liability and comp coverage before they'll sign.