What is an additional insured and why your production or event needs one

When you’re producing a film, commercial, live event, or festival, insurance paperwork can feel like just another box to check. But one term you’ll see again and again in contracts, permits, and venue agreements is “additional insured.” 

Understanding what an additional insured is, and why it matters, can prevent coverage gaps, delays, and costly disputes that put your production or event at risk. 

What is an additional insured? 

An additional insured is a person or organization added to your insurance policy so they receive protection under your liability coverage. While they are not policyholders, they are covered for claims that arise from your operations, activities, or event. 

In production and events, additional insureds commonly include: 

• Location owners and landlords 

• Event venues 

• Municipalities or government bodies 

• Sponsors or partners 

• Property managers 

Adding an additional insured means that if a third party claims they were injured or suffered property damage because of your production or event, both you and the additional insured are protected under the same policy. 

Additional insured vs. certificate holder: what’s the difference? 

These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. 

• Certificate holder: Receives proof that insurance exists. They are not covered by the policy. 

• Additional insured: Receives actual protection under your liability insurance for covered claims related to your work. 

Many venues and municipalities require both, but only being named as an additional insured provides real coverage. 

Why productions and events are required to add additional insureds 

1. It transfers risk appropriately

Productions and events introduce risk into spaces you don’t own. If something goes wrong (someone trips over a cable, equipment damages a building, or a crowd-control issue causes injury), the property owner doesn’t want to rely on their own insurance first. 

Being named as an additional insured ensures claims related to your activities are handled by your insurance, not theirs. 

2. It’s often mandatory for permits and contracts 

Most filming permits, location agreements, and event contracts require additional insured status as a non-negotiable condition. Without it, you may not be allowed to: 

• Secure a location 

• Pull a permit 

• Access public or private property 

• Finalize vendor or sponsor agreements 

Failing to add an additional insured can delay approvals or shut down a production entirely. 

3. It helps avoid legal disputes between parties

If a claim arises and the additional insured is not properly named, insurers may argue over who is responsible for defending the claim. This can lead to: 

• Legal delays 

• Out-of-pocket defence costs 

• Strained relationships with venues or partners 

Adding additional insureds clearly and correctly reduces uncertainty and speeds up claims handling. 

What does additional insured coverage actually protect? 

Additional insured status typically provides protection for: 

• Bodily injury caused by your operations 

• Property damage resulting from your activities 

• Legal defence costs related to covered claims 

It does not extend full policy rights or protect the additional insured for their own independent negligence. Coverage is limited to losses connected to your production or event. 

Common mistakes productions and event organizers make 

Even experienced teams run into issues with additional insured requirements. Common mistakes include: 

• Adding the wrong legal name (e.g., a venue’s trade name instead of its registered entity) 

• Assuming a certificate holder is the same as an additional insured 

• Requesting additional insured status too late 

• Forgetting to include municipalities, sponsors, or landlords listed in permits 

• Not confirming that coverage applies for the full event or production period 

Any of these can result in rejected permits, contract breaches, or uncovered claims. 

How Front Row Insurance helps simplify additional insured requirements 

At Front Row Insurance, we work with productions and event organizers every day and understand how time-sensitive and detail-driven these requirements are. 

We help by: 

• Reviewing contracts and permit language 

• Ensuring correct legal names are used 

• Issuing certificates quickly and accurately 

• Advising on coverage limits required by venues or municipalities 

• Making sure additional insured endorsements align with your production or event risks 

Whether you’re planning a one-day event or a multi-week shoot, we help you stay compliant and protected without slowing you down. 

Why understanding additional insured requirements protects your production or event

An additional insured isn’t just a formality. It’s a critical part of protecting your production, your partners, and your ability to move forward without disruption. Getting it right helps prevent delays, disputes, and unexpected costs when it matters most. 

If you’re unsure who needs to be listed as an additional insured, or whether your current coverage meets contract requirements, it’s worth addressing early. 

Front Row Insurance specializes in production and event insurance, and we’re here to help you get it right before cameras roll or doors open.