Starting a new production? Insurance mistakes to avoid in pre-production

Starting a new film, television, or live production is an exciting moment. Scripts are locked, key crew are coming on board, locations are being scouted, and momentum is building fast. But in the rush to get cameras rolling, insurance is often treated as a last-minute checkbox rather than a strategic part of pre-production. 

That approach can be costly. 

Pre-production is where most insurance mistakes happen and where they're easiest to prevent. From uninsured prep days to incorrect budgets and overlooked contractual requirements, small oversights early on can create major delays, denied claims, or unexpected out-of-pocket costs later. 

Most common pre-production insurance mistakes 

1. Treating insurance as a formality instead of a production tool

One of the biggest mistakes producers make is viewing insurance as something required only to satisfy a studio, funder, or location. 

In reality, insurance is a risk management tool designed to protect: 

• Your budget 

• Your schedule 

• Your cast and crew 

• Your contractual obligations 

When insurance is brought in late, policies often fail to reflect how the production actually operates. This can leave gaps in coverage when something inevitably goes wrong and, in production, something almost always does. 

Best practice: Loop your insurance broker into pre-production early, ideally while budgets and schedules are still being finalized. 

2. Forgetting to insure pre-production activities

Insurance coverage doesn’t automatically begin on the first day of principal photography. Many losses happen before cameras roll. 

Common uninsured pre-production exposures include: 

• Location scouts and tech scouts 

• Rehearsals and table reads 

• Wardrobe fittings and set builds 

• Equipment tests and prep days 

• Office operations and payroll 

If a crew member is injured during a tech scout or rented gear is damaged during prep, a policy that only starts on the shoot date may not respond. 

Mistake: Assuming coverage starts when filming starts 

Solution: Ensure your policy includes pre-production and wrap coverage dates 

3. Underestimating or misrepresenting the production budget

Your insurance premium, limits, and eligibility are all tied to your declared production budget. Underestimating that number to save on premiums can backfire badly. 

Common issues include: 

• Excluding contingency from the budget 

• Not accounting for extended shoot days 

• Forgetting post-production costs 

• Omitting international shoots or travel 

If a claim occurs and the insurer determines the budget was materially understated, it can lead to reduced payouts or coverage disputes. 

Tip: Your insured budget should match your realistic total production cost, not just your ideal scenario. 

4. Choosing the wrong liability limits

General liability is one of the most scrutinized coverages in production, especially by locations, municipalities, studios, and venues. 

A common mistake is purchasing the minimum limit without reviewing contractual requirements. 

Examples of issues we see often: 

• Locations requiring $5M or $10M in liability when only $2M was purchased 

• Venues requesting additional insured status on short notice 

• Co-producers or distributors requiring higher limits than anticipated 

Upgrading limits late in pre-production can be expensive and time-consuming. 

Avoid delays by: Reviewing all location agreements, funding contracts, and distributor requirements before binding coverage. 

5. Not scheduling rented or borrowed equipment correctly

Camera, lighting, grip, sound, and specialty equipment are often rented from multiple vendors across different regions. 

Common equipment insurance mistakes include: 

• Forgetting to schedule high-value rentals 

• Underinsuring specialty or custom gear 

• Not confirming replacement cost values 

• Assuming vendor insurance is sufficient 

Many rental houses will not release equipment without proof of insurance listing them as loss payees. 

Pro tip: Maintain a running equipment list during pre-production and review it with your broker before certificates are issued. 

6. Overlooking cast insurance and special risks

Cast insurance isn’t only for A-list stars. Any cast member whose absence would significantly delay or shut down production should be evaluated for coverage. 

Mistakes include: 

• Skipping cast insurance to save costs 

• Not disclosing pre-existing medical conditions (when required) 

• Failing to update policies when cast changes 

Similarly, special risks such as stunts, animals, minors, drones, water work, or remote locations often require specific underwriting approval. 

Key takeaway: If it increases risk or complexity, it needs to be disclosed early. 

7. Assuming workers’ compensation coverage is automatic

Workers’ compensation rules vary by province, state, and country. Productions often involve a mix of employees, contractors, loan-out companies, and volunteers; each treated differently under workers’ comp regulations. 

Mistakes include: 

• Misclassifying crew roles 

• Not registering in required jurisdictions 

• Assuming short-term or out-of-province shoots are exempt 

This can result in fines, coverage gaps, or uncovered injury claims. 

Recommendation: Confirm workers’ compensation requirements for every shooting jurisdiction during pre-production. 

8. Failing to plan for delays and shutdowns 

Weather, illness, equipment failure, and permit issues can all derail a production. Without the right coverage, delays can burn through contingency fast. 

The coverage options below should be evaluated before issues arise: 

• Extra expense 

• Civil authority 

• Communicable disease endorsements 

• Weather coverage 

Mistake: Trying to add coverage after problems appear

Reality: Most insurers will not bind new coverage once a known risk exists 

9. Waiting too long to issue certificates of insurance

Certificates of insurance are required by: 

• Locations 

• Equipment rental houses 

• Studios and distributors 

• Municipalities and unions 

Leaving certificates until the last minute can delay permits, equipment pickup, or access to locations. 
 
Smart move: Build certificate requests into your pre-production checklist and allow time for revisions. 

Why working with a production insurance specialist matters 

Production insurance isn’t generic business insurance. It requires industry-specific knowledge, insurer relationships, and an understanding of how productions actually operate. 

At Front Row Insurance, we work with producers, production managers, and line producers to: 

• Identify risks early 

• Structure coverage around real-world workflows 

• Anticipate contractual and location requirements 

• Help prevent costly delays and coverage gaps 

The goal isn’t just to insure your production; it’s to help protect your schedule, budget, and reputation.  

Talk to Front Row Insurance before cameras roll. Because the best productions plan for risk before it shows up on set.