Protecting Rented Vehicles on Film Sets: A Must for Film Makers

FILM AUTO Coverage

Protecting Rented Vehicles on Film Sets

Film productions can be costly, and one of the most important types of insurance that film makers need to carry is insurance for rented vehicles used on set. Production companies typically rent various vehicles for their productions, including cars, trucks, and other types of vehicles. These rented vehicles are often critical components of the production process, and the production company needs to take adequate measures to protect them from potential risks on set. In this blog post, we'll explore how film makers can protect rented vehicles on a film set.

Why is Insurance for Rented Vehicles Important?

Rented vehicles are often critical components of the production process, and they can be expensive to rent and repair. In addition, rented vehicles are at risk of damage or theft on set, and the production company may be liable for any damages or losses that occur. Without adequate insurance, film makers could be facing significant financial losses due to damage or theft of rented vehicles.

How Can Film Makers Protect Rented Vehicles on a Film Set?

Insure the Rented Vehicles: Film makers should consider purchasing insurance specifically for rented vehicles on a film set. This type of insurance provides coverage for damages or losses to rented vehicles, and it can help protect the production company from financial losses due to damage or theft of the rented vehicles.

1. Hire Experienced Drivers: It's important to hire experienced drivers who are qualified to operate the rented vehicles safely. This can help reduce the risk of accidents or damage to the rented vehicles.

2. Conduct Regular Inspections: Regular inspections of rented vehicles can help identify any issues or potential risks that could lead to damage or accidents. Film makers should conduct inspections before and after each use of the rented vehicles to ensure that they are in good condition.

3. Properly Secure the Vehicles: When not in use, rented vehicles should be properly secured to prevent theft or damage. This includes using secure parking areas or locking the vehicles when not in use.

4. Follow Safety Protocols: Film makers should follow safety protocols to help prevent accidents or damage to the rented vehicles. This includes following traffic laws, using proper equipment and safety gear, and properly storing equipment and props to prevent damage to the rented vehicles.

In conclusion, protecting rented vehicles on a film set is critical for film makers to avoid financial losses due to damage or theft of the rented vehicles. By insuring the rented vehicles, hiring experienced drivers, conducting regular inspections, properly securing the vehicles, and following safety protocols, film makers can protect their rented vehicles and ensure a successful production.

Understanding the Importance of Properly Classifying Workers: 1099 vs. W-2 in Film Insurance

1099 VS. W-2 EMPLOYEE

Understanding the Importance of Properly Classifying Workers: 1099 vs. W-2 in Film Insurance

When it comes to hiring workers for a film production, one important decision that producers must make is whether to hire them as 1099 independent contractors or W-2 employees. This decision can have a significant impact on the production’s insurance coverage, including workers compensation insurance. In this blog post, we will discuss the difference between 1099 and W-2 employees and the consequences of misclassifying workers.

First, let's discuss the difference between a 1099 and W-2 employee. A W-2 employee is a traditional employee who is on the company's payroll and receives a regular salary or hourly wage. The employer withholds taxes from the employee's paycheck and provides them with a W-2 form at the end of the year for tax reporting purposes. On the other hand, a 1099 independent contractor is self-employed and responsible for paying their own taxes. They receive a 1099 form from the employer at the end of the year if they earned over $600.

Now, let's discuss workers compensation insurance. Workers compensation insurance provides coverage for employees who are injured or become ill while performing work-related duties. This insurance covers medical expenses, lost wages, and other related costs. In most states, employers are required by law to carry workers compensation insurance for their employees.

The issue of workers compensation insurance becomes significant when it comes to independent contractors. In general, independent contractors are not covered by an employer's workers compensation insurance policy. Instead, they are responsible for their own insurance coverage. However, there are some cases where an independent contractor may be considered an employee for workers compensation purposes.

The determination of whether an independent contractor is an employee for workers compensation purposes is based on several factors. These factors include the level of control the employer has over the worker's activities, the worker's degree of independence, and the nature of the work being performed. If an independent contractor is found to be an employee for workers compensation purposes, then the employer is responsible for providing workers compensation coverage for them.

Misclassifying an independent contractor as an employee can have severe consequences for the employer. Employers who misclassify workers may face fines, penalties, and other legal consequences. In addition, misclassified workers may be entitled to benefits and protections that they would not have received as independent contractors.

Lights, Camera, Safety: Prioritizing Safety on Film Sets.

FILM SET SAFETY

Filmset safety should be top priority on any film set.

Filmmaking is a highly collaborative art form that involves a team of professionals working together to bring a story to life. From the actors on screen to the camera crew behind the scenes, each member of the team plays a vital role in creating a successful film. However, amidst the hustle and bustle of the film set, safety can often be overlooked. It is imperative that safety is a top priority on every film set, not only to protect the cast and crew but also to protect the location and camera equipment.

The safety of the cast and crew is of utmost importance on a film set. With a variety of equipment and machinery in use, there is always a risk of accidents occurring. It is the responsibility of the production team to ensure that all safety precautions are taken to minimize the risk of injury. This includes ensuring that all crew members are trained and familiar with the equipment they are using, and that all safety protocols are in place and being followed. For example, if a scene requires the use of pyrotechnics or stunts, it is essential that a qualified and experienced professional oversees the process to ensure that everything is done safely.

Protecting the location is also critical when shooting a film. Filmmakers often use public spaces or private property to create their sets, and it is essential that these locations are treated with respect and care. This means ensuring that all safety measures are in place to prevent damage to the location, and that everything is restored to its original state once filming is complete. The production team should also take into account any potential hazards that may arise from filming in certain locations, such as on a busy street or near a body of water, and take appropriate precautions to ensure the safety of everyone involved.

In addition to protecting the cast and crew and the location, it is also important to protect the camera equipment. Cameras, lenses, and other equipment are often expensive and fragile, and any damage can result in delays and additional costs for the production. It is crucial that all equipment is handled with care and that proper storage and transportation measures are in place to prevent any damage from occurring. This includes using protective cases, keeping equipment out of extreme temperatures, and ensuring that all crew members are trained in how to handle and use the equipment properly.

In conclusion, safety should always be a top priority on any film set. It is essential to protect the cast and crew, the location, and the camera equipment to ensure that the production runs smoothly and without incident. By taking the necessary precautions and following established safety protocols, filmmakers can create a safe and secure environment for everyone involved. Not only does this help to ensure the success of the film, but it also ensures that everyone can go home safely at the end of the day.

Film Insurance & Unattended Vehicle Exclusion

Why do rental houses ask to remove unattended vehicle exclusion from their insurance policy?

Whenever permitted, we can remove this exclusion from your policy because the carrier will not pay for loss or damage resulting from theft in any unattended vehicle, unless at the time of the theft its windows, doors and compartments were closed and locked and there were visible signs that the theft was the result of forced entry. Always remember to have a police report in case of a theft with or without signs of a break-in.

Most of the short term film insurance policies have the unattended vehicle endorsement on their policy. It is possible to remove the endorsement from the policy by providing the carrier with your inventory list, resume of the producer, location where equipment will be stored, security in place, and the rental agreement copy from the rental house that requires the unattended vehicle endorsement to be removed. Most of the annual insurance carriers will have the unattended vehicle endorsement already removed, but you will need to check with your insurance agent as carriers policies tend to change every year.

An increasing number of rental houses are requesting that clients’ insurance coverages have the unattended vehicle exclusion removed before they lease equipment; while others have it hidden in the fine print of their rental agreements. If you were unaware of this detail or failed to adhere to it, you could be left holding the bag for the entire cost of any stolen equipment. Having proper coverage is the key to protect your next production.

Before starting production on your next project, be sure to consult with a film production insurance specialist at Akker, LLC by visiting us at www.akkerins.com. Our film specialist will guide you through the specific types of coverages and tailor a production package to your specific needs. For more information email us at stan@akkerins.com

Film Insurance - Third Party Property Damage

Why should I have Third Party Property Damage when General Liability has property coverage already?

This is a common question a lot of filmmakers start asking when purchasing Production Insurance Policy. A lot of filmmakers assumes that General Liability will cover the locations they are renting under their Production Insurance Policy. Here is a reason why for your next Production Insurance policy you should have Third Party Property Damage added. 

Third Party Property Damage covers damage done to locations over which you have the care, custody, or control. For example, you rented a Studio or a Sound Stage for your next production. The moment you have custody and control, the production company assumes the responsibility for any damages. This is where having a proper limit for Third Party Property Damage is important. 

Most locations will ask for General Liability only because they believe it covers their property for Damages. The truth is General Liability in a Film Insurance policy only covers damage to third party sites. The building next door, location upstairs or downstairs would be considered a third party site under General Liability Policy. General Liability Policy does NOT cover the actual location where you are filming. 

Third Party Property Damage is the most ideal coverage to insure your filming location. It will provide coverage for the damage or destruction of property of others while the property is in the care, custody or control of the production company and is used for production.

If you have more questions about your Film Insurance Policy contact us anytime at www.akkerins.com or stan@akkerins.com our team looks forward to working with you.

State of Film Insurance during COVID-19 - August 11 2020

As productions are starting to define what is the "new normal" in this COVID-19 era, our team at Akker is receiving various calls and emails regarding the state of insurance for the Film and Entertainment Industry. In this blog we outline the most common questions and solutions available for filmmakers. 

• Can I still get insurance right now for my Film Production? 

  • Yes, our team at Akker LLC works with 5 Carriers that are underwriting policies for projects nationwide. The Carriers have been very meticulous on what projects they choose to underwrite.

• Is COVID-19 included under the insurance policy? 

  • No. As of right now, COVID-19 is one of the major exclusions on the policies from our Carriers. We are keeping our ears open for potential COVID-19 policy options but currently this is a unicorn waiting to be found. 

• How long is the underwriting quoting process? 

  • We can turn a quote around in 12 hours (or less) for films under 1M in budget. Film projects with budgets $1M+ are experiencing a slower turnaround. Underwriting can take 3-5 days, even up to 2 weeks depending on the Carrier. So please remember if you're starting pre-production, allow our team enough time to properly shop and quote your insurance policy. 

• How has the pricing changed since COVID-19 started? 

  • The pricing has changed drastically in the last few months. We are seeing Carriers say "NO" to more projects than before. Quotes for $1M+ projects are ranging 2-3% of the total budget. Note there are various factors affecting the quote, for example: stunts, cast coverage and State where the project is filmed. On budgets below $1M the pricing has increased as well and there are less options of quoting available at this time. 

• Can we still get insurance for Cast and Essential Elements coverages? 

  • Carriers are either saying "NO" to cast coverage or providing very limited coverage. An example of that would be a $15M budget film receiving a $3M in cast coverage vs the full budget as it would be standard prior to COVID-19. With that being said, it is important to allow our team at Akker plenty of time to shop your coverages and find the best solution possible for your project, especially if you're working with a distributor or a completion bond company that might require higher limits. We are seeing some essential elements quotes however with very limited Carrier options and their underwriting process requires more approval. 

• Are the Carriers requiring any COVID-19 safety guidelines?

  • Insurance Carriers are asking for the production to submit COVID-19 safety protocols at the point of quote submission. This is required for the quote to be bound, so remember to work with your team to build proper COVID-19 safety protocols for your film set. You can always reach out to our team at Akker and one of our film insurance agents can assist you with the information you need. 

• What coverages are currently available for film insurance?

  • The coverages currently available are: general liability, worker’s compensation, auto liability, equipment rental, owned equipment, third-party property damage, E&O insurance, props, sets, wardrobe, cast coverage, umbrella, essential elements and more. 

Please feel free to contact our Film Insurance expert Stanislav Shkilnyi - stan@akkerins.com. Stan comes from 16 years of film industry background and 9 years of experience providing insurance for film projects worldwide. He understands how to build a proper policy for his clients on time and within budget. 

Film Set Safety - COVID19

SAFETY IDEAS - PREP & PRODUCTION

PREP - Begin work in office only when necessary. Discuss what portions of Prep can be done remotely/at home with production.

LOCATION SCOUTING - Limit the crew size for location scouting with only 2 people per car.

TECH SCOUT - Allow crew members to self-drive, when possible.

SAFETY PERSON - Consider having a designated individual during prep to have a thermometer, hand sanitizer, Clorox wipes and other necessary items.

PREP TEST - Consider testing the crew during the prep stage. Determine the availability of COVID tests, in order to effectively implement.

CONFERENCE CALLS - Modify large meetings - consider conference calls or video group calls instead.

PRODUCTION OFFICE - Do not use each other’s desks, electronics and etc.

CAMERA & SOUND DEPT. - Minimize the crew around camera while cast is on set. Make sure Camera and Sound Department crew have their PPE(gloves and masks N95) on while cast is on set.

PRODUCTION TRAVEL - Encourage cast/crew from traveling, visiting crowded places such as bars, restaurants, movie theaters, gyms, shopping malls, and everything that has crowds during the production stage.

LUNCH TIME - Divide the lunch hour into two times, to avoid large number of people in catering.

HYDRATION - Provide constant hydration to office and set personnel.

LOCATION DEPT. - Budget for Location Department to deep cleanse at the end of each wrap day. Disinfect all departments, restrooms and all other high-touch points of locations throughout the day.

TRANSPORT - Budget and Schedule for transportation vehicles to be disinfected several times a day.

ENTRANCES - Consider budgeting for temperature check areas before the crew/cast enters the lot, sound stage, office and etc. Consider having hand sanitizers and hand washing stations at the temperature check areas.

QUARANTINE STORAGE - Identify and designate an area where purchased and rented items can be cleaned before being brought to the set, production office, and etc. 

NO VISITORS - Absolutely no personnel is permitted on set, production office or any stages. Keep it to essential cast and crew only.

DISTANCE - Maintain 6 feet apart for all cast and crew unless absolutely necessary.

CONTACT - Avoid any unnecessary physical contact and touching your face.

PHYSICAL SPACE - No crew should be near cast, unless they are part of the Hair, Make Up, Sound or Wardrobe Departments. All Crew should be wearing a mask (N95) and gloves when near talent.

SANITATION STATIONS: Hand sanitizers should be available and visible in all areas of film set, production office and film stages.

PPE - Make sure your Film Budget includes costs to provide gloves, and respiratory protection (masks N95) for cast/crew to wear, when not on camera or set.

WIPES - Budget to provide disposable, disinfecting wipes so that commonly used surfaces and items can be wiped down before each use.

CATERING AND CRAFT SERVICE - Provide individually wrapped meals for your cast and crew.

CLEANING SERVICES - Budget for a cleaning service to be engaged to clean the production office, stages, and film set daily.

HEALTH CHECKS - Conduct a daily health/body temperature checks of cast/crew and anyone entering set, stage, office, and etc.

HEALTH PERSONNEL - Budget to increase health personnel to monitor, test and keep awareness high on the film set. 

FEELING SICK? WHAT TO DO?

FEELING SICK WHEN AT HOME If you ‘re feeling sick with fever, cough, or difficulty breathing, stay home and immediately inform your set supervisor. Consider seeking medical care right away if needed. Do not return to set if aforementioned symptoms persist. 

FEELING SICK WHEN ON SET Immediately put on both a face mask and gloves. Immediately inform your supervisor and leave the premises if possible. Avoid contact with other cast, crew, and set areas. If you are unable to leave the set, find an area to isolate until production can arrange transportation for you. 

IF EXPOSED: If any cast/crew have been in close contact with a suspected or known case of COVID-19, while that individual was ill. They should self-quarantine at home for 14 days. If you were within 6 feet of the ill individual for more than 10 minutes, or having had unprotected direct contact to respiratory secretions of the ill individual (for example cough or sneeze). 

The Set Safety in this document are suggestions only please consult with your legal team to develop proper safety procedures for your film set. Akker, LLC was founded by Stanislav Shkilnyi (IMDB LINK) a film industry expert with 16 years of film and television experience. He is well-known and trusted for providing insurance to a variety of independent filmmakers and A-list actors. Contact us today our team would love to help with insurance for your next production. (912) 247-3075 or stan@akkerins.com