Posted by David Hamilton on Fri, Jan 04, 2013 @ 06:12 PM
Travel Delay Insurance protects your film production Budget when cast do not show up on set.
Travel Delay Insurance coverage is an Extra Expense coverage that is part of some film production insurance policies The Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company defines Travel Delays in their insuring agreement as:
“For reasons other than weather, we will pay for loss due to the closure of any departure airport used by your personnel or used to transport your property, when such airport closure either delays or precludes the timely arrival of personnel or property to a filming location of the Insured Production”.
EXAMPLES of extra expenses covered by the Travel Delay coverage:
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There is a problem with the baggage belt within the airport delaying baggage & equipment from being loaded onto the plane.
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There is a temporary bomb scare which results in a delay in cast or crew’s flight out of their departure airport.
As with most other coverages, there are some standard exclusions that apply to Extra Expense coverages. Please see the policy wording for a full description of the coverage, or call a specialized film insurance broker such as Front Row Insurance: david@frontrowinsurance.com.
Posted by David Hamilton on Thu, Jan 03, 2013 @ 11:44 AM
At first read, Ingress & Egress may sound like a type of leakage. In the case of this Extra Expense (EE) sub-coverage though, it actually refers to circumstances which may arise where persons or property are unable to either gain access (ingress) or leave (egress) a building/location in order to continue work as required. This coverage is similar in nature to the Civil & Military Authority EE sub-coverage, with the exception that the inability to access or leave the building/location in question is not decided by the authorities.
As with other Extra Expense coverages, the sub-limit (sum insured) attributed to the sub-coverages is the maximum amount given for that sub-coverage, and all Extra Expense claims cannot exceed the policy Extra Expense maximum limit.
The Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company (Allianz) defines Ingress/Egress in their insuring agreement as:
“We will pay for loss due to your inability to access or leave a facility within your care, custody and control due to the closure, by other than a civil authority, of that facility’s access road, meaning a road that affords access into and out of that area within your care, custody and control, which is necessary to be used in connection with an Insured Production to which this Coverage applies.”
EXAMPLES of losses/delay expenses covered by this Ingress & Egress coverage:
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Road access to the studio the Insured company is renting is blocked because a sinkhole has collapsed in the road.
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Your film director is unable to leave his hotel on time because the street in front of the hotel has large fallen trees on it due to a windstorm the previous night.
NB: As with most other coverages, there are some standard exclusions that apply to Extra Expense coverages. Please see the policy wording for a full description of the coverage, or call a specialized film insurance broker such as Front Row Insurance: david@frontrowinsurance.com.
Posted by David Hamilton on Wed, Jan 02, 2013 @ 03:41 PM
Only trained and certified workers can plan, rig, and detonate pyrotechnic special effects on a film production. Uncertified SPFX workers could invalidate your film production insurance.
The Explosives Regulatory Division of Natural Resources Canada issues four classes of pyrotechnic special effects certification:
1. Theatrical User
2. Assistant
3. Pyro technician or special effects pyro technician
4. Authority having jurisdiction (ie. A fire chief or fire protection officer)
For additional information about pyrotechnic special effects certification, contact the Explosives Regulatory Division of Natural Resources Canada.
Who is in charge of pyrotechnics?
The special effects coordinator for a production has final authority on all safety matters related to pyrotechnics used in that production. The special effects coordinator must remain on set at all times during the preparation, placement, testing and firing of any pyrotechnic special effect.
Follow all laws and requirements before using pyrotechnic special effects and get all the required licenses and permits.
Use, handle, store and transport pyrotechnic materials in accordance with all applicable federal, provincial and municipal laws such as the Canada Explosives Act, the Transportation of Dangerous Good Act, and the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation.
A specialized film insurance broker is best able to present the risks associated with your film production to the film insurance underwriter to ensure you receive the best coverage and premium for your production.
Front Row Insurance Brokers are specialized Film Insurance Brokers. Please call us if you have any questions.
The above information is based on WorkSafe – Focus on Safety – Safe Work Practices for Film and Television Production in B.C. (2001 edition)
Posted by David Hamilton on Wed, Jan 02, 2013 @ 11:33 AM
A typical production company will purchase liability insurance to provide coverage for claims relating to third party bodily injury and/or property damage caused by the production’s activities. As the majority of production companies will use vehicles on/off set, along with mobile equipment, watercraft and/or aircraft, they must also consider liability protection for these exposures too.
Whichever type of liability policy or policies are selected by a production company; there is a “primary” layer of coverage. Depending upon the limit of the primary general liability coverage, a production company may wish to purchase additional limits of protection: a filming location may require 10mil or more of coverage although 5mil is a common limit of coverage in Canada.
This additional layer of liability coverage is called umbrella or excess coverage.
Either Excess or Umbrella coverage is triggered when the primary protection’s limits have been breached, i.e. the underlying policy limit is exhausted.
Theoretically, an Umbrella Policy supplements it’s excess coverage to include miscellaneous and unidentified loss exposures that are not covered by an underlying policy. This is an advantage of an umbrella liability policy. Since there isn’t a source of primary protection for these exposures, a form of high deductible, called a self-insured retention, is applied to such losses.
An Excess Policy does NOT provide broader coverage; it only serves to supplement whatever coverage exists in the primary layer. It’s becoming increasingly common for such coverage to be provided on a Following Form basis. These forms are written so that they track the coverage, exclusions, and provisions of the underlying policies.
Simply stated, an Umbrella Policy will provide additional protection for your production company with different coverage that may not be in your underlying policy. An Excess Policy will further protect your production company by adding extra protection onto the limits of your underlying policy.
If you seek additional coverage for your production company, be sure to pay attention to what is stated in the form. The term umbrella may be used even when the form does not provide true umbrella coverage. For additional information relating to the above, please contact Front Row Insurance Brokers: david@frontrowinsurancebrokers.com
Posted by David Hamilton on Mon, Dec 31, 2012 @ 02:08 PM
Imminent Peril is part of Extra Expense coverage. EE itself is similar to Business Interruption insurance, except that it will not cover loss of income, but rather if you suffer an insured loss it will pay for the extra costs to get your production back to filming as soon as possible. It will also reimburse you for extra costs incurred because something out of your control has prevented you from filming.
What does ‘Imminent Peril’ cover? :
‘Imminent Peril’ is defined in the policy as “We will pay for expenses you incur to avoid a loss insured under this policy due to imminent peril to the extent that such expenses serve to avoid such loss.” It will pay for the damage you cause to prevent further damage.
EXAMPLES of losses that would be insured by Imminent Peril:
• A sudden storm hits your external set with golf ball sized hail stones. To prevent damage to your filming gear, you tear down a façade from your set to cover the cameras. The cost to rebuild the intentional damage to the set would be covered by Imminent Peril.
• A small fire ignites in your production office. You attempt to control the fire by switching off the gas supply, breaking the alarm glass, using fire extinguishers and fire blankets, and evacuate the building to protect persons and property. This coverage will pay for these extra materials and lost productive time used to minimize damage.
NB: As with most other coverages, there are some standard exclusions that apply to Extra Expense coverages. Please see the policy wording for a full description of the coverage, or call a specialized film insurance broker such as Front Row Insurance: david@frontrowinsurance.com.
Posted by David Hamilton on Fri, Dec 14, 2012 @ 01:00 PM
The cost for film Insurance for a production that uses firearms on set can be minimized by following protocols that make the insurance underwriter comfortable. Insurance underwriters charge more when they are uncomfortable with the perceived risk.
Hire a good firearms wrangler and ensure they follow these protocols for a safe set and the lowest film insurance cost:
1. Take charge of all firearms and ammunition and keep an inventory of them
2. Know all the requirements for handling, transporting, and storing firearms, ammunition and black powder
3. Comply with all local, provincial, and federal regulations for firearms
4. Be familiar with the specific firearms being used and their safety requirements. Know how to load, unload, dismantle, clean and reassemble the firearms
5. Check firearms before and after each use
6. Clean all firearms daily after use
7. Load and Unload all firearms (if this is not practical, supervise the handling, loading, and unloading of firearms by designated, trained assistants) as follows:
- Use the lightest load of blank ammunition necessary for the scene
- Allow any actor who will be standing near the line of fire to witness the loading of the firearms
8. Train actors and stunt performers in the safe use of firearms
9. Take firearms away from actors and stunt performers between takes whenever possible
A specialized film insurance broker is best able to present the risks associated with your film production to the film insurance underwriter to ensure you receive the best coverage and premium for your production.
Front Row Insurance Brokers are specialized Film Insurance Brokers. Please call us if you have any questions.
The above information is based on WorkSafe – Focus on Safety – Safe Work Practices for Film and Television Production in B.C. (2001 edition)
Posted by David Hamilton on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 @ 11:42 AM
If a mechanical device or an articulated set is used in a production, the film insurance cost can be minimized if the production company ensures that:
1. The device or set is capable of safely performing the functions for which it is used
2. Workers operate the device or set in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, safe work practices, and the requirements of the Regulation
3. The device or set is properly inspected, tested or maintained
If a production company requires that a mechanical device or articulated set to be created for a production, the production company is considered the supplier of that device or set. As a supplier, the production company must provide directions for the safe use of the device or set and must ensure that the device or set is safe when used as specified. Such directions could be developed in consultation with a qualified person such as a professional engineer.
A specialized film insurance broker is best able to present the risks associated with your film production to the film insurance underwriter to ensure you receive the best coverage and premium for your production.
Front Row Insurance Brokers are specialized Film Insurance Brokers. Please call us if you have any questions.
The above information is based on WorkSafe – Focus on Safety – Safe Work Practices for Film and Television Production in B.C. (2001 edition)
Posted by David Hamilton on Fri, Dec 07, 2012 @ 06:52 PM
To keep your film insurance premiums to a minimum utilize best practices when using fog and smoke effects on set.
The following substances are typically used to create smoke or fog:
1. Propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, and polyethylene glycol
2. Glycerin products
3. Highly refined mineral oils
4. Cryogenic gases such as carbon dioxide or liquid nitrogen
The choice of substance depends on whether it will be used indoors or outdoors, and whether the cast or crew will be exposed to it for significant period of time.
Ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when using any of these substances. You should not alter the mix. Never heat substances above the temperatures specified in the guidelines.
Use the minimum chemical concentration for the minimum time necessary to achieve the desired fog or smoke effect. Check the Regulation to see if the substance you are using has an exposure limit. Do not exceed exposure limits or reduce the oxygen concentration in the air below the normal level.
If necessary, have an occupational hygienist assess ways to reduce exposure and confirm that the oxygen concentration in the air is sufficient.
A specialized film insurance broker is best able to present the risks associated with your film production to the film insurance underwriter to ensure you receive the best coverage and premium for your production.
Front Row Insurance Brokers are specialized Film Insurance Brokers. Please call us if you have any questions.
The above information is based on WorkSafe – Focus on Safety – Safe Work Practices for Film and Television Production in B.C. (2001 edition)
Posted by David Hamilton on Tue, Dec 04, 2012 @ 04:42 PM
If you plan to use pyrotechnics during your film production, determine the potential hazards and conduct a risk assessment for each potential hazard to minimize your film insurance costs.
Avoid the following common pyrotechnic mistakes:
1. Triggering the pyrotechnic effect prematurely
2. Using more pyrotechnic material than necessary
3. Not having fire extinguishers of a suitable type and capacity available
4. Assigning duties to inadequately trained or inexperienced pyro technicians or assistants
5. Entering danger areas before the special effects coordinator has inspected them and the all-clear signal has sounded.
Work safely to achieve realism: When planning stunts and special effects, always look for the safest way to execute the scene. Consider using scale models and computer simulations as replacements for live stunts and pyrotechnics.
Inform the Cast and Crew:
On call sheets, include safety information related to pyrotechnic special effects and make sure to inform your film insurance broker so that they can advise the film insurance underwriter. Specify restricted or no-access areas as well as viewing locations, if they are available.
Conduct a safety talk and dry run before filming a pyrotechnic special effect. If you make changes to scheduled pyrotechnics, hold another talk to explain the changes and any revised safety precautions.
A specialized film insurance broker is best able to present the risks associated with your film production to the film insurance underwriter to ensure that you receive the best coverage and premium for your production.
Front Row Insurance Brokers are specialized Film Insurance Brokers. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Posted by David Hamilton on Mon, Nov 26, 2012 @ 07:42 PM
The camera car should be engineered specifically for film and television production. The insert-camera car operator has the authority to suspend operation of the vehicle if they believe the vehicle is unsafe in any way.
General Guidelines – Follow these safety requirements when working with insert-camera cars:
- Inspect the car – including the brakes, tires, electrical system, and towing equipment – before and after each use
- Qualified, experienced workers must rig the car
- When using an insert-camera car at night, install two portable tail lights on the towing vehicle
- Do not transport crew members or equipment not directly needed for the shot sequence
- Do not ride on the tow bar or on the exterior of the towed vehicle. Crew members may ride on a towed camera platform specifically designed for this type of work, as long as they use the necessary restraints and harnesses.
- In most cases, insert-camera cars require a police escort during operation
A specialized film insurance broker is best able to present the risks associated with your film production to the film insurance underwriter to ensure you receive the best coverage and premium for your production.
Front Row Insurance Brokers are specialized Film Insurance Brokers. Please contact us if you have any questions.