How Much Insurance Is Enough for Your Production? Bob Lilly

This is one of the most frequent questions we get at MovieInsure—and with good reason. Every production is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all number when it comes to coverage limits.

Producing a 5-day indie shoot with volunteer crew? You might need a $1M liability policy. Coordinating a 3-week commercial shoot with rented locations, paid talent, and drone footage? That’s a different ballgame.

Factors That Influence Coverage Needs:

Budget Size: Larger productions mean larger risks.
Number of Crew and Cast: More people, more exposure.
Stunts or Special Effects: Increases likelihood of injury or property damage.
Location: Shooting in a city, in a studio, or on public land each carries different risk profiles.
Equipment Value: Are you using a $15,000 camera or a $150,000 rig?

Core Coverages to Consider:

General Liability: Minimum $1M per occurrence is standard; higher for large productions.
Equipment Coverage: Should reflect replacement cost of all gear.
Workers’ Compensation: Required in most states for paid crew.
Auto Liability: If you’re renting or using vehicles, $1M+ is typically required.
Umbrella/Excess Liability: Adds extra protection above your base policies.

The Real Risk: Being Underinsured

The biggest mistake isn’t overpaying—it’s underinsuring. A minor claim can derail an entire production, especially if you’ve underestimated your exposure. Worse yet, underinsurance can block distribution if your policy limits don’t meet legal or distributor requirements.

At MovieInsure, we conduct a risk profile review for every project we insure. We’ll walk you through your budget, locations, activities, and personnel to make sure your coverage is just right—not too little, not too much.

Your story deserves to be told—without fear of financial disaster. Let us help you find the right protection, every time.

The post How Much Insurance Is Enough for Your Production? appeared first on MovieInsure: Film and Production Insurance.

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