Anybody dealt with acquiring insurance such as this in pre-production, and if so, what are the costs involved? I live in Oregon, and the state won't let us film without a million dollar liability policy. Therefore, if I don't acquire that (and E&O insurance) and present it as a "delieverable" when I hopefully am working with distributors, then I know my hard work and that off my crew will all have been for nothing. I have been down this path before, and made many novice mistakes which I am now attempting to overcome, this time around. Any info/suggestions on insurance, and the most cost effective way to acquire it, would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

I'd like to hear any input about this, too. :cool:

E&O - easy. On any movie budgeted under $350,000 don’t bother. It predominantly covers the production if you (or another department head) fails to perform the work as contracted.

As far as copyrighted material - just make sure you aren’t using any. Be careful of showing logos and trademarks. You can save a lot of money by not carrying this insurance.

Liability - I would never shoot without it. Not a feature anyway. As you have discovered, zippy, shooting on any State property demands you carry at least a one million dollar policy. I think all States are like that.

I usually insure through
Truman Van Dyke Co.
6767 Forest Lawn Dr.
Ste. 301
Los Angeles, CA 90068
Phone: (323) 883-0012***
Fax: (323) 883-0024
Here are some other places. I used filmemporuim once - no problems.

http://www.speare.com/home.asp
http://www.taylorinsurance.com/
http://www.groupinsure.com/
http://www.firsttower.com/filmdef.htm
http://www.filmemporium.com/newweb/insurance/index.htm
http://www.rglaser.net/

http://www.aeinsurance.com
No policy fee, prompt service.

On YOU ARE ALONE, with a $150K budget, and coverage for 4 weeks, the policy which covered liability and property damage (both at $1 million), equipment rental of $150K, and faulty camera/damage to the original tape (negative)...cost us a hair under $2500.

We used www.shorttermproductions.com

Hope that helps.

But I do have a question for Indietalk...have you really had luck with aeinsurance.com? I tried contacting them over and over, because they were right in MA in our back yard, and never get a return call or email. In fact, the voice mail boxes were full most of the time. I figured they were out of business.

But I do have a question for Indietalk...have you really had luck with aeinsurance.com? I tried contacting them over and over, because they were right in MA in our back yard, and never get a return call or email. In fact, the voice mail boxes were full most of the time. I figured they were out of business.

I used them, yes, and they were fine. This was 2003.

E&O - easy. On any movie budgeted under $350,000 don’t bother. It predominantly covers the production if you (or another department head) fails to perform the work as contracted.

As far as copyrighted material - just make sure you aren’t using any. Be careful of showing logos and trademarks. You can save a lot of money by not carrying this insurance.

Liability - I would never shoot without it. Not a feature anyway. As you have discovered, zippy, shooting on any State property demands you carry at least a one million dollar policy. I think all States are like that.

I usually insure through
Truman Van Dyke Co.
6767 Forest Lawn Dr.
Ste. 301
Los Angeles, CA 90068
Phone: (323) 883-0012***
Fax: (323) 883-0024
Here are some other places. I used filmemporuim once - no problems.

http://www.speare.com/home.asp
http://www.taylorinsurance.com/
http://www.groupinsure.com/
http://www.firsttower.com/filmdef.htm
http://www.filmemporium.com/newweb/insurance/index.htm
http://www.rglaser.net/

I was under the assumption that a completion bond covers the production and gets it completed if you fail to complete the film (this is usually purchased for investors) and E&O insurance covers the possible infringement of copyright and trademarks...

filmy

I was under the assumption that a completion bond covers the production and gets it completed if you fail to complete the film (this is usually purchased for investors) and E&O insurance covers the possible infringement of copyright and trademarks...

filmy


and you would be correct.

I was under the assumption that a completion bond covers the production and gets it completed if you fail to complete the film (this is usually purchased for investors) and E&O insurance covers the possible infringement of copyright and trademarks...

filmy
Yep!

A completion bond for a ULB (under $200,000 - $300,000) by a production team without a seriously good track record of completing movies would be prohibitively expensive.

And E&O is an unnecessary expense on that level too. Just make sure while shooting that you aren't infringing - that's cheaper.