Understanding Auto Liability Insurance for Film Production Companies
Friday, February 10, 2017, 6:00 AM | Leave Comment
Auto liability insurance is one of the vital forms of coverage that film production companies must carry to finance and protect their projects.
A majority of these companies rely on automobile rentals and leases for their film production needs. In most cases, the type of film production project being undertaken will determine the type of policy needed.
If there is no vehicle being used for filming, automobile liability cover is not needed.
If you’re planning to rent or lease exotic or luxury cars for film production, it’s important to know the different auto liability insurance covers available and their requirements.
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Automobile Physical Damage Insurance
If you have hired automobiles like luxury SUVs or sports cars from a car rental company, you will need auto physical damage insurance.
This type of insurance covers all hired autos for which you’re liable and which may be damaged, lost, or destroyed during the term of coverage while being used in film production.
This type of coverage is only for damage to rental vehicles.
While car rental companies often provide this coverage, film production companies must have their own separate auto physical damage insurance for all hired, leased, or borrowed vehicles including, but not limited to, trailers, mobile dressing rooms, mobile studio units, film trucks, and trailers while in their possession.
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Non-Owned and Hired Auto Liability Insurance
This type of insurance policy provides coverage for a film production company’s legal liability for any losses that may arise from the operation or use of non-owned or hired vehicles in production including borrowed and rented vehicles and those owned by others.
Such losses may include bodily injury, property damage or death to any person not in the care, control or custody of the policyholder.
This type of coverage applies to vehicles not owned or rented by the film production company.
Depending on the scope of your production project, you may opt for short-term, single production or annual auto liability insurance for your rentals.
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Auto Liability Insurance Requirements for Film Productions
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Owned Vehicles
All automobiles owned by film production companies must have compulsory coverage or liability insurance in the state they are located and where the autos are licensed. Purchasing optional physical damage cover is also highly recommended.
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ATVs, Motorized Snow Vehicles, and Other Special Vehicles
Auto insurance requirements vary from one state to another and depend on where the vehicle is being used and whether it’s being used on private or public land.
Each scenario has particular insurance requirements that production must be aware of, so you should always clarify with your insurance provider before using any of these types of automobiles.
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Automobile Rentals
It’s important to understand that when renting or leasing vehicles from a luxury or exotic car rental company, their automobile liability insurance cover may be invalid unless their insurance company has provided special endorsement to rent or lease vehicles to you.
When sourcing auto rentals, you’re advised only to use highly established and reputable rental car agencies wherever possible.
The same applies to employees of film production companies that intend to rent out their cars. They should contact their vehicle insurer to be sure that their automobile policy allows business use.
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Production Vehicles, Picture Vehicles, Motor Homes, Trucks, and Others
Production companies that rent or lease such automobiles for more than 30 days may have them insured under their own auto liability insurance.
For any car rentals under 30 days, liability coverage is mostly provided under commercial general liability policy: Non-owned automobile cover.
It’s important to understand that this policy doesn’t replace the automobile owner’s legal obligation to maintain their primary automobile liability cover.
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New, Customized, Collector, Unique and Historic Vehicles
Before hiring, renting or leasing any of these types of vehicles, rental companies will need them to be insured on an agreed value basis or for their replacement cost.
You should, therefore, get clarification from car rental companies and notify your insurance provider. A valuation of the vehicles will be done to establish their real value.
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Getting the Right Auto Liability Insurance
You can source auto liability insurance cover from various leading insurance companies or consult reputable insurance brokers.
Compare the most comprehensive film production insurance packages offered and choose the most appropriate cover to suit your specific production requirements.
In most cases, insurance on rental and non-owned vehicles is usually lower than the rates offered by car rental companies.
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Why You Need Auto Rental Insurance
Film producers often face unique circumstances in the hugely competitive and uncertain world of film production.
Whether the production involves a feature length movie or a short film, a lot can go wrong in the process, from expensive car rental damages to actors or filming crews sustaining injuries.
There are also potential liability risks like injuries to people or damage to equipment and property in the studio or on location.
Auto liability insurance is one of the vital policies you need to protect your production project.
It’s important to understand that when renting or leasing vehicles from a luxury or exotic car rental company, their automobile liability insurance cover may be invalid unless their insurance company has provided special endorsement to rent or lease vehicles to you.
When sourcing auto rentals, you’re advised only to use highly established and reputable rental car agencies wherever possible.
The same applies to employees of film production companies that intend to rent out their cars. They should contact their vehicle insurer to be sure that their automobile policy allows business use.
-
Production Vehicles, Picture Vehicles, Motor Homes, Trucks, and Others
Production companies that rent or lease such automobiles for more than 30 days may have them insured under their own auto liability insurance.
For any car rentals under 30 days, liability coverage is mostly provided under commercial general liability policy: Non-owned automobile cover.
It’s important to understand that this policy doesn’t replace the automobile owner’s legal obligation to maintain their primary automobile liability cover.
-
New, Customized, Collector, Unique and Historic Vehicles
Before hiring, renting or leasing any of these types of vehicles, rental companies will need them to be insured on an agreed value basis or for their replacement cost.
You should, therefore, get clarification from car rental companies and notify your insurance provider. A valuation of the vehicles will be done to establish their real value.
-
Getting the Right Auto Liability Insurance
You can source auto liability insurance cover from various leading insurance companies or consult reputable insurance brokers.
Compare the most comprehensive film production insurance packages offered and choose the most appropriate cover to suit your specific production requirements.
In most cases, insurance on rental and non-owned vehicles is usually lower than the rates offered by car rental companies.
-
Why You Need Auto Rental Insurance
Film producers often face unique circumstances in the hugely competitive and uncertain world of film production.
Whether the production involves a feature length movie or a short film, a lot can go wrong in the process, from expensive car rental damages to actors or filming crews sustaining injuries.
There are also potential liability risks like injuries to people or damage to equipment and property in the studio or on location.
Auto liability insurance is one of the vital policies you need to protect your production project.
