Insurance for feature film production comes in many forms, and selecting the best combination for your film requires careful consideration across multiple departments. While options such as equipment insurance, errors & omissions insurance, and even general liability protection are all irreplaceable assets, do not forget about workers’ compensation insurance as part of a complete plan.
Workers’ compensation insurance is about more than just protecting your studio from the financial ramifications of employee injury—although that is an important piece of the puzzle.
Here is what you need to know about the importance of workers’ compensation in film production and how the right policy can make all the difference.
Understanding Workers’ Compensation Coverage
Workers’ compensation is a type of insurance protection that addresses the financial consequences when a worker is injured on the job. In film production, plenty of injuries can happen due to the various hazards on and near a shoot. These most often include:
- Electrical hazards from lighting
- Falls from rigging
- Tripping on cords
- Injury from film equipment
- Food spoilage from community meals
- Burns from pyrotechnics
The risks for each type of film will differ depending on what sort of shoot is occurring. On the set of Lone Ranger, a crewmember drowned. Likewise, Alec Baldwin’s accidental discharge of the gun that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins has been in the news since it occurred in 2021.
Accidents are never more than a moment away, and workers’ compensation guarantees that crewmembers and their families are supported if something goes wrong. Workers’ compensation insurance often goes hand-in-hand with other types of coverage, such as cast and crew insurance.
Together, these protections address potential gaps in coverage depending on whether the injury occurs to a crewmember behind the scenes, your A-list talent, and more. The more notable the names on your project, the more coverage you will need to support them as they recover.
Why Do You Need Workers’ Compensation in Film Production
Film studios get workers’ compensation insurance mainly because they do not want to be responsible for medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and income from lost work should a crewmember suffer an injury or illness on the job. This is a smart business decision, but workers’ compensation is about much more than just the money.
Film studios have a moral and ethical obligation to protect the people whose hard work makes their projects possible. Workers’ compensation is a form of protection to establish that crewmembers get the support they need to recover fully.
In addition, most studios will not be able to secure permits to shoot at venues or public locations if they cannot prove that they have a minimum level of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance coverage.
For compliance reasons, film producers should invest in workers’ compensation insurance to stay within the confines of industry regulations. Each state’s rules are different; in California, film companies can face fines of up to $100,000 and jail time for not carrying workers’ comp protection. Even if no accidents occur, you can still get into legal trouble.
How Worker’s Compensation in Film Production Adds Value to Your Business
Securing workers’ compensation should not stop with the bare minimum in coverage. While it is essential to fulfill the basic requirements for your jurisdiction and the venue with which you would like to work, investing in thorough workers’ comp coverage benefits your entire team.
Otherwise, a single tragic accident could exceed your policy limits, leaving you on the hook for compensation should something go wrong on set. Additionally, having a strong workers’ compensation policy can be a draw for top talent in the field.
Knowing that they are protected and can enjoy the security of these benefits makes people more willing to share their talents and skills with you as part of the team.
However, to secure the best workers’ compensation coverage, it is important to work with an insurance agency that provides coverage for the film industry. This niche of work is filled with perils that less specialized insurers may not recognize—which can leave your production in danger.
The experts at MFE Insurance produce customized insurance policies for feature film production by knowing the special needs of the industry and the people who work in it.
Work With MFE Insurance and Secure Your Filming Crew With Worker’s Compensation Insurance
Our detailed workers’ compensation plans leave no stone unturned. We provide support throughout the claims process so you never feel alone. Contact MFE Insurance to schedule a consultation to establish a workers’ compensation insurance policy or to review an existing policy to make sure it covers your most significant vulnerabilities.