Film production teams often find that their projects take them to places they never expected. From mountaintops to deserts and back to the cityscape, there’s no telling where a team might work. With this in mind, it can be hard to secure the proper insurance to keep a production protected, given the vast array of potential shoot locations.
Insurance for feature film production is already a nuanced subject, and adding these less common scenarios to the mix further complicates things. However, strong insurance coverage can still be secured, even when a film is shot remotely.
Here are the main policies that any film production studio should consider when planning to film in forests, mountains, deserts, and other challenging areas.
The Most Important Film Insurance for Remote Locations
Overarching film production insurance often includes multiple types of protection. However, without exclusive scenarios such as nature shoots in mind, teams may be surprised to find that their activities aren’t covered, and they may not realize this until they try to make a claim.
Always be sure to read the details of any policy to understand what is included. If coverage is insufficient, consider purchasing riders for the policy or seeking a standalone policy to address more specific needs. The primary insurance types to pay attention to when shooting in remote locations include:
Business Interruption
There is no telling what might go wrong in Mother Nature’s uncontrolled environments. Shoots in forests might be plagued with heavy rain or dangerous wildlife, and a view from a mountaintop might quickly become a nightmare if roads are impassable due to fallen rocks or poor maintenance.
These issues (and many more) can slow production or even halt shooting entirely. Business interruption insurance protects the studio against the financial consequences of a delay.
Equipment
Film equipment is at a higher risk of damage on outdoor sets than indoors. Moisture, heat, sun exposure, dirt, wind, and many other challenges can cause problems with cameras, mics, and other essential tools. Pair this with the chances of items being stolen or destroyed by animals, and it’s easy to see why any team should check their equipment insurance to see which scenarios it covers.
Cast & Crew
Productions need not trek to the top of Mount Everest to expose their cast and crew to danger. Even a natural preserve full of walkable trails can still result in a valuable team member spraining their ankle or contracting Lyme disease from a wayward tick. Cast & crew insurance protects the production when irreplaceable talent is injured or sick.
Workers’ Compensation
Similarly, every production should have workers’ compensation, which covers the medical bills and other associated costs of a film employee harmed on the job. However, most workers’ comp policies have very specific restrictions for the types of injury or illness covered, and many of the risks faced in remote locations might not be part of a standard policy.
General Liability/Pollution
All film studios must carry general liability insurance to get permits to shoot or secure venues. However, this baseline coverage does not usually include the other liability protections necessary when shoots disperse into forests, mountains, deserts, and oceans.
A simple oil leak from a production truck is enough to constitute pollution. Without insurance, the studio may be on the hook for the cost of remediation and any fines associated with the spill. Be sure your general liability policy covers scenarios like this or secures a separate pollution addition.
Drone Coverage
Drones are the favored method of acquiring wide shots in many remote locations. Not only does this protect the crew from needing to venture into precarious territory, but it can also provide video that cannot be acquired any other way.
However, most insurance policies do not include drone coverage, and some may even directly exclude it because drones are prone to damage when poorly controlled. If your production uses drones, do not assume they are covered under equipment; make any insurance additions necessary.
Embrace Remote Shoots for Exclusive Flair
Filming in forests, mountains, deserts, and other natural vistas may pose a greater risk to your production than shooting in a rented venue, but don’t let this discourage you from pursuing your vision! These idyllic locations can add a flair to your film that no other type of shot can.
However, it is essential to be prepared before you go, which includes reviewing insurance policies and shoring up any gaps. Contact MFE Insurance to speak with our professionals about what types of coverage will be most valuable to you as you head out into nature.