Any film can be a big undertaking, but documentaries face unique challenges and risks that other productions do not—or at least not to such an extent. Insurance for documentary production is an integral part of preparing for and creating a documentary, from before shooting starts to film distribution afterward.
Without it, production could be on the hook for significant financial losses ranging from equipment costs to talent injury, legal battles, and more.
Here is what any documentary filmmaker needs to know about the insurance they should consider for their production from start to finish.
Understanding the Basics of Documentary Production Insurance
A documentary can cover various topics and environments, making securing the correct type of insurance challenging. Insurance for documentary production often requires a minimum of general liability and workers’ compensation, but more policies are typically helpful.
To determine what types of insurance coverages best suit your project, your team will need to analyze your anticipated production cycle carefully.
What is the budget? Do any elements, such as stunts, on-location filming, or expensive equipment, pose a greater risk than average? Does the project require specific talent that needs extra protection?
These are just a few of the many potential questions that can help a team ascertain the most important policies for their project.
Pre-Production: Laying the Groundwork for a Secure Shoot
Before documentary production begins, teams must scout their shooting locations. Most venues and areas will only allow a film studio to produce a product on their property with proof of sufficient general liability insurance, so start there.
This protects third parties and their property from harm caused by the team. This is also an ideal time to secure equipment insurance before there is a real risk of damage or loss to filming equipment. Once production begins, even a small mistake can be costly and delay the shoot if equipment is damaged.
During Production: Mitigating Insurance Risks on the Move
Once production begins, the primary protections that need to be in place (in addition to those mentioned above) are against crew and talent injury. Workers’ compensation insurance is non-negotiable and can pay for medical costs and time off if a crew member is injured.
In many cases, production teams will need a separate insurance policy to cover their talent—which can be especially important for documentaries that hinge on a single individual.
Whether that person is the actual person about whom the documentary is based or simply a convincing lookalike, these individuals can be even more challenging to replace than A-list talent.
Post-Production to Distribution: Insuring the Final Film
Once filming has been completed, the documentary is still far from finished. In the post-production phase, teams should consider editing suites and coverage of post-production facilities.
This is also an ideal time to rely on distribution insurance to help navigate rights and clearances. It shields the team from potential legal pitfalls such as copyright infringement, IP issues, and claims of slanderous conduct.
Special Insurance Considerations for Documentary Filmmakers
While most films benefit from the coverage outlined above, documentaries face unique risks that may necessitate more specific protection.
Depending on the topical focus of the documentary, separate insurance may be necessary to cover the risks associated with filming in high-risk locations, conflict zones, or areas where the crew is not actively welcomed.
Without proper protection, any injuries, equipment losses, or film destruction that occurs as part of the process could be counted as a total financial loss. Similarly, documentary production teams should consider the ethics of their engagements, mainly as they concern living individuals and their families.
Legal liability protection is a smart move to mitigate the risk while allowing a documentary to cover relevant and timely events or people.
This may come in the form of a professional liability insurance policy, or your insurance agency may have another recommendation to best protect your team from potential legal challenges based on the type of documentary you are producing.
Secure Your Documentary’s Future with Film Insurance from MFE
If you are producing a documentary, you likely understand that your work differs substantially from a team creating a blockbuster hit. Comprehensive insurance solutions tailored for documentary productions are non-negotiable as part of this process.
The experts at MFE Insurance have worked with many documentary teams to create an individualized blend of insurance protection that addresses their specific needs so they can confidently approach their projects.
Contact MFE Insurance Brokerage today to cover your story from pre-production to distribution and every risky step in between.