What is wedding photographer insurance?

Wedding Photographer Insurance is, simply put, insurance that a wedding photographer will purchase to protect their equipment and themselves when shooting a wedding. This may sound very specific, because it is, but weddings are a major industry, and wedding photographer is its own distinct profession! Many photographers make a living shooting weddings. And like most in-person professions, photographers are going to want to get insurance. This is not something that would be provided by the customer, the wedding venue, or included in any sort of prepaid package, but something that a wedding photographer must purchase on their own, as an independent contractor.

Why do wedding photographers need insurance?

Before we get into the best way to choose wedding photographer insurance, you might be wondering why you even need it? Do you really want to spend a portion of your pay on insurance? What are the odds you would ever need it? While it might seem unlikely that anything will go wrong, we can tell you from experience, it’s worth it. First of all, many venues will require all vendors, including photographers, to carry insurance in order to work a wedding there. But even without that requirement, it would be very risky as a photographer to work any event without it, and especially a wedding. Weddings tend to be joyous occasions, filled with dancing, laughing, and toasts. They’re generally so much fun for guests and even those working. But weddings also carry their own set of risks and dangers, to both people and equipment. A lot of money is being spent on one epic party, which means a lot of different people and companies are coming together that haven’t worked together before, often in an unfamiliar venue. With so many variables, and so many moving parts, accidents can and do happen. If a drunk guest trips over your tripod while trying some new dance moves, you’re going to want liability insurance in case the guest is injured and decides to sue you. If a caterer drops a tray of sparkling champagne on your expensive DSLR, you’re going to want equipment insurance that will cover the damage to your gear.. These are just examples, of course, but the potential hazards are endless. Not that it’s all doom and gloom or anything. No one wants or even expects accidents to happen at a wedding, and it’s not likely at any given event, but when accidents do happen, you’re going to be very relieved to have insurance that will protect you and your equipment. Even a minor incident can end up costing a lot more than you might expect. 
 

What kind of insurance do I need as a wedding photographer?

We know, talking about insurance is the least exciting part of being a photographer. But now that we understand how important wedding photographer insurance is, let’s get into some details. What kind of insurance can you get as a wedding photographer, and what kind do you need? For a wedding photographer, you’ll want both equipment insurance and liability insurance, and possibly some others. Equipment insurance covers damage or theft of your equipment, and liability insurance covers you and your business if someone were to get hurt or injured and blame you. It can also cover damage you may have caused to the venue. You can generally buy them together as a bundle to save money and make life easier, or you can purchase each type on its own if you really need to. There are a few additional types of insurance wedding photographers can purchase as well, including property insurance, if you happen to damage the venue, and errors and omissions insurance, which protects you from lawsuits by unsatisfied customers who feel they didn’t get what they paid for. There’s also the matter of duration, or term. If you’ve been hired to photograph one wedding, you’ll want a short -term plan that will usually cover you for a few days, or the duration of the event. Don’t forget to include rehearsals, etc, that you’re also hired for. But, let’s say things are really taking off, and you have 4 weddings booked this year, you may end up saving money by getting a long-term or annual plan, like any small business would have. Athos offers both types, and can help guide you to the right plan to fit your needs and the needs of your photography business.

How much does wedding photographer insurance cost?

If the idea of purchasing an insurance plan for your wedding photography sounds daunting and expensive, don’t worry. There are a variety of plans that fit your needs at a rate that won’t break your budget. How much a plan will cost, specifically, is hard to say, due to the variables involved. You can get a lower-deductible plan with higher premiums, or vice versa, or lower upfront cost but less coverage if something were to go wrong. The price for insurance will also depend whether you want short or long-term, and which specific coverages you want to buy. But just to have a general ballpark idea, you can usually buy a basic plan for a single wedding as a vendor starting at around $75. An annual policy will have a higher premium but may be more cost-effective in the long run.  Athos agents are experts in all things event, equipment, and liability insurance, and will gladly talk you through the process. You can also apply for a quote and purchase a plan completely online, in just minutes.  

Weddings are a great chance for family and friends to come together and celebrate a momentous occasion. These are moments and memories that the couple and their guests will remember for a lifetime, and of course, that’s what they hire a photographer to capture. And wedding photography is also a thriving business! It can be fun, exciting, and lucrative. And of course we all hope that every event goes off without a hitch, but occasionally things happen, and your best bet is to be prepared. In our many years in the business, we’ve never heard someone regret buying insurance, but we’ve heard many, many people regret not buying insurance after something goes wrong.  The best way to protect yourself, your equipment, and your peace of mind, is to have the appropriate coverage. Call Athos today or apply online to get the plan that works best for you and your needs. We’re experts in insurance for wedding photographers, and can get you the coverage you need, so you can focus on capturing these once-in-a-lifetime moments! 

Today we’ll be going slightly more in depth, but not too in depth, about short term equipment rental insurance. This isn’t the full Wikipedia-style explanation. Instead, let’s keep it simple, and go over 5 quick facts about short term equipment rental insurance. 

What is short term equipment rental insurance?

Short term equipment rental insurance, quite simply, is insurance that you purchase to cover rented equipment for a defined period, as opposed to buying insurance that continues indefinitely. It’s generally going to cover your equipment for a specific project or time period, usually the period you’ve rented the equipment for. 

Who should buy short term equipment rental insurance?

The short answer is: anyone who is renting equipment. The slightly longer answer is that people buying short term equipment rental insurance are often going to be producers, directors, filmographers, cinematographers, sound mixers, and anyone else involved in a production who is renting or even borrowing equipment for said production. Oftentimes, the rental house will require insurance to be purchased on any rented equipment. Even when renting or borrowing equipment from a (very generous, and probably too trusting) friend, you’re still going to want to cover the equipment with an insurance plan, to protect it from any of life’s inevitable curveballs. An uninsured on-set disaster is one way to ruin the shoot day (and probably the friendship). 

What does short term equipment rental insurance cover?

There’s no one answer to this, since providers vary in what they cover, and policies can often be very customizable to the needs of your production. A standard damage waiver will cover fire, theft, and vandalism, and more extensive policies may cover collision, falling objects, fire, flood, and more. This more thorough coverage is going to be more expensive. Ultimately, you pay a price for peace of mind, and to avoid the disaster scenario of having to pay out of pocket for damage that didn’t seem likely. The more coverage, the lower the risk, the higher the price. 

Something to note about short-term equipment rental insurance is that it generally does not include liability, such as bodily harm or damages to property. If someone knocks over a camera tripod and it injures a bystander, those medical bills would not be covered by the equipment insurance. If it breaks a window in a rented studio space, that window typically would not be covered by the equipment insurance policy. This is where a General Production Liability insurance, and Third-party Property Damage insurance would come into play, respectively. Yes, this is a lot of big words and different types of policies, but it’s not as confusing as it seems. Athos has expert insurance agents on hand to answer questions, and walk you through the process of customizing a plan that fits the unique needs of your production.

How much does short term equipment rental insurance cost?

We know, peace of mind sounds great and all, but how much is that going to cost, and is it really worth it? The truth is, the cost of a short term equipment rental insurance policy will vary based on where you buy it, and what the policy covers. It’s also going to affected by the value of the equipment, and how much it would cost to replace, how long you’re renting it for, and what you’ll be using it for. As we discussed, the more potential hazards covered in the policy, the higher the premium. Also, a higher deductible policy will bring down the cost of premiums, and vice-versa. A lot depends on your preferences, the needs of your production, and your risk tolerance. The large range of variables means that we can’t provide an actual dollar estimate. Luckily, Athos agents can guide you to the best, most cost-effective policy for your specific production, and give you a real quote in just minutes. If you already know what you want, and don’t feel like talking to anyone, you can enter some details online and get a quote in minutes. You can even purchase the policy and get the certificate instantly, all from the comfort of your couch (or bathroom, we won’t know). Buying insurance has come a long way! 

Where can you buy short term equipment rental insurance?

There are numerous insurance providers out there, and while short term equipment rental insurance is a very specific type, there are still plenty of options to pick from. Often, you can buy an insurance add-on from the rental house you rent the equipment from, but you pay a price for that convenience, and this usually won’t be the best or most affordable policy. There are so many costs when it comes to production, it’s important to save money where you can. The best way to do this is finding a company that’s been around for years, has a long history of satisfied customers, and understands the specific needs of the entertainment and film production industry. That is where Athos comes in. We are fast, affordable, and understand the needs of the business. And you can do everything online. You can also save money on a policy by bundling together the various policies you’ll need for your production. 

While we go into more detail on different types of insurance for your event or production on our blog, we hope these five quick facts about short term equipment rental insurance can help set you in the right direction. And whatever you’re planning, let us create the perfect, custom-tailored policy for your unique needs. Contact Athos today, and our agents can get you the policy you need for a price you can afford, and answer any questions you have along the way. 

They think of celebrities in giant Beverly Hills mansions, major studios, and of course, a solid Hollywood sunset. Film is the thing that attracts so many people to LA. (That, and the year round perfect weather, sea breeze, and endless tacos, but, I digress.) If you’re a filmmaker, LA is the place to be. But once you’ve made it here, there are still a number of steps to a successful shoot. Today we’re going to talk about the FilmLA organization, what it does, and how it can help you take those steps. 

FilmLA is a not-for-profit film office that promotes information-sharing in the LA film production community. They have plenty of resources for filmmakers, and for anyone planning a shoot in the LA area. They primarily help with coordinating permits, but also can help with production planning, and community relations. Beyond that, they also do research into the effects of filming on LA, and lead efforts to bring production back to LA, after companies have moved to more budget-friendly locations. Their website has plenty of helpful resources to explore, including a location library for scouting public locations. One of the most helpful aspects of FilmLA is that they have advisors that can help production companies navigate the rules and procedures for filming in the various cities and jurisdictions they serve, as well as a variety of pre-permit location issues, such as: 

• Identifying logistical challenges like parking, lane and street closures, basecamps, etc. 

• Making reservations for LA city-owned properties

• Understanding special filming conditions and other unique neighborhood characteristics

Working with FilmLA is the only way to get permits for filming in the locations they serve, including the city of LA, most of the valley, Diamond Bar, South Gate, La Habra Heights, Palmdale, Santa Monica, Newport Beach, Lancaster, City of Industry, Vernon, Monterey Park, Gardena, Culver City, San Dimas, and Fullerton. A complete list can be found here: https://www.filmla.com/who-we-are/areas-served/. If you’re filming somewhere in the LA area, chances are you’ll be in contact with FilmLA! Filming rules and requirements vary by jurisdiction, and they can help you figure out how that will affect your shoot. 

Overall, FilmLA is a huge resource and necessary contact for whatever you may be filming in LA. We know, this is the tedious, logistical stuff that no one got into this business for, but it’s also necessary to get past before you can do what you actually want, which is make cool stuff. FilmLA will help you get past all the boring parts as painlessly as possible. The only thing worse than having to go through the process of filling out paperwork and getting a permit, is getting fined or shut down on the day of the shoot for not having one. 

So, you’ll be in touch with FilmLA for your permit, but before you can get it, you’ll have to show them proof of liability insurance. They understand the importance of being insured in this business, when so many things could go wrong on set on any given day. Ironically, the unpredictability of filming is the only thing that’s somewhat predictable. So make sure you have the proper coverage in order to be able to get that permit. Insurance requirements vary depending on what areas you’re planning to film in, and what activities you’ll be doing on set. 

Of course, Athos is very familiar with the FilmLA requirements, and can help you find the right policy to satisfy the needs of your production. We can also answer any questions you might have about the process. Feel free to give us a call any time, we have agents ready to help.

In this post, we’ll go over what those limits are, and more importantly, what they mean for you, so you can feel confident that you’re choosing the best policy for your needs. General liability policies usually include the following 6 limits: General Aggregate, Products/Completed Operations, Personal and Advertising Injury, Each Occurrence, and Fire Damage. So, what do these limits mean? Let’s dive in!  

The General Aggregate limit is the maximum amount the insurance carrier will pay during the policy period. So, if the general aggregate limit is $15,000, that’s the most you’re going to get if something (or multiple things) go wrong!

Products/Completed Operations is a limit on coverage for liability arising out of your products or business operations once those operations have been completed or abandoned. Let’s say you make a toy for three years and then you close down your company to spend more time playing with these wonderful toys. Now let’s say that someone trips on one of those toys and wants to sue the company for making the toys so trippable. The insurance policy isn’t going to cover this lawsuit because there is no insurance policy. Why? Because there’s no more company!

Personal & Advertising Injury is a limit on coverage for certain offenses that you or your employees may commit in the course of your business, such as libel, slander, disparagement, or copyright infringement in your advertisements. These are things that your business could be sued for. Most policies limit how much the insurance provider will pay to defend against these suits. So this is important to know when purchasing a policy, and also important to keep in mind when deciding whether to libel, slander, disparage, or infringe on someone’s copyright! We’ll give you a tip– try to avoid it! 

Each Occurrence is the maximum amount the insurance carrier will pay per claim submitted during the policy period. So for one incident or claim, insurers will usually have a limit on how much they will cover. This is an important bit of info to know when choosing a policy, because you’ll want to make sure it’s an amount that matches your risks. 

A Fire Damage limit is for coverage for liability for damage by fire to your rented premises. Basically, if you have a business location or set, and you burn it down, there is a limit to how much of it will be covered by your policy. These limits apply per-fire, so multiple different fires would not fall under the same limit. But at the same time, if there are multiple fires at the same property, you have some bigger things to look into that don’t involve insurance policies!

Usually, when you’re looking for a policy that fits your needs, the two most important considerations are the general aggregate and the each occurrence. You’ll really want to take a look at those, and make sure that there’s enough coverage for the things that could go wrong on set, or at your business location. 

Sometimes, you’ll be required to have insurance with a certain limit. So, if your policy doesn’t meet those requirements, you’ll need to set up an excess or umbrella liability policy, which provides additional coverage to supplement an existing policy. You’ll typically need one of these to meet higher insurance requirements. 

If you need insurance for a production, call Athos! Our friendly and experienced agents are ready to help. We’ll look over insurance requirements to make sure you’re getting the coverage you need, and we’ll walk you through the process. There may be a limit to a general liability policy, but there’s no limit to how much time and care our agents will spend guiding you to the right one!

There are so many lenses to choose from, and each one is different. You have the vision, and you need to find the best tool to bring it to life.

You can read about the different types of lenses all day long, and you’re probably familiar with many of them already, but how do you know how they’re actually going to stack up against each other on a real shoot? If only there was some way… Ok, you may already see where this is going, but check it out: we have the perfect tool for comparing many possible lenses!

We are talking about The ShareGrid & Old Fast Glass Ultimate Full Frame Lens Test! It consists of over 300 videos available in 4K, showing 20 of the most popular Full Frame lens sets available to filmmakers. You can go on there right now and compare 85 individual Full Frame prime lenses at various T-stops, using the one-of-a-kind “Quad-player.” As the name suggests, the Quad-player allows you to simultaneously play up to 4 videos, for the most thorough possible comparison of cinema lenses, all from the comfort of your own home (or studio, of course). Check out their intro video. It’s hard to overstate how epic this is. This is the largest side-by-side lens test ever made. So what’s the one thing that could make this even more epic? The fact that it’s totally free! You can go right now and compare many different lenses, shooting the same action, and the same time, and see exactly what the differences are in image. 

Beyond just seeing, the test includes lens statistics: lens’ character, performance, and Bokeh chart breakdowns. It has a side-by-side comparison feature as well, where each lens is put through the exact same series of tests, while collecting footage. 

So go ahead, go crazy. Pick 4 lenses, and watch the exact same footage in each at the same time. Read the lens stats, and very clearly see the differences between lenses. Then pick 4 more and do it all again. It’s a tool like no other. Athos was happy to sponsor the event by providing insurance services. So once you’ve picked the best lens or lenses for your production, make sure to call us up, our friendly agents can help you insure the lens, and the rest of your equipment, against whatever may go wrong. 

We know how hard it can be to keep costs low and stay under budget, so while it can seem like an unnecessary expense, camera equipment insurance is more affordable than you might think. Let’s talk about what camera equipment insurance is and why it’s so vital. 

What Is Camera Equipment Insurance?

Camera equipment is expensive, and whether you own it, rented it, or borrowed it for the shoot, insurance protects you from financial liability if something goes wrong. Which it often does! (See our article “10 On Set Catastrophes That Really Happened” if you don’t believe us!) Equipment can be damaged, stolen, dropped, knocked over, spilled on, elbowed, jostled, slapped, dropped off a roof, you name it, it’s probably happened on a set somewhere. Spend enough time in the industry and you’re bound to have your own story. And when you do, you’re not going to be on the hook for thousands of dollars if you have the right insurance. 

This kind of insurance is also referred to as Inland Marine Equipment Insurance. That name might sound strange when talking about film equipment, but don't let it throw you off. Inland Marine Equipment insurance covers transportable equipment and other property. The name began as Ocean Marine Insurance when the equipment was transported by boat, and it just kind of stuck. And sometimes it’s referred to as a Floater policy because the coverage "floats" with the equipment wherever it goes, as outlined in the policy. But whatever the cute nicknames, the policy has one important job- to protect you from losing a lot of money if your equipment gets damaged.

Why Do You Need Insurance?

While TV and film sets are governed by many laws, one of these is Murphy's law: anything that can go wrong on set will! While we always hope every shoot goes off without a hitch, there are a nearly unlimited number of possible mishaps, and they’re often not what you’d expect. And you certainly can’t prepare for what you can’t anticipate! Often, camera insurance is going to be a lot cheaper than repairing or replacing a damaged camera, which can easily send you over budget. And any delay in production can be even more costly. Ultimately, it can be worth it just for the peace of mind that comes with knowing that whatever happens on set, you’re covered. 

And if you’re renting equipment, it’s usually required that you have it insured as well. 

What Does Camera Equipment Insurance Cover? 

Like the movies and shows we make here, camera equipment insurance in LA comes in many varieties. So the cost of insurance and coverage you purchase are going to vary based on your needs. Most insurance companies have various options to suit the needs of your production. We have another detailed article about the various types of insurance, but let’s go over a few of the main variables and types. 

Short-term equipment rental insurance is for equipment that you have rented for a limited time or just one project. You can also get annual production equipment insurance for equipment that you own or have rented long-term. And then there’s annual photography equipment insurance, which covers damages that might happen to your photography camera. 

When you have a policy with Athos, getting a copy of it is as easy as sending an email, as all of our policies are sent through email to reduce environmental impact. It’ll be in your inbox for easy reference. And getting a copy of your loss history is as simple as emailing the request along with the policy holder's name and policy number. We keep it easy and convenient. 

Athos insurance covers a wide range of casualties that your equipment might encounter, including common mishaps like accidental damage, theft, smoke or water damage, falling objects, and transit and shipping. It also covers less common, but equally worrisome problems like fires, earthquakes, lightning, explosions, windstorms, hail, floods, and acts of terrorism. There are also optional add-ons for more specific settings- if you’re going to be filming around water, you can get insurance for any equipment that’ll be floating or underwater. 

And Athos policies are valid around the globe, so if your production takes you to some far flung location, your policy works there as well. Just keep in mind that countries with US sanctions are not covered, like Iran, Iraq, and North Korea. And, on the topic of travel- your equipment is covered while in transit or on airlines as well! These policies cover any damages or theft after your equipment is checked into an airline. 

A few other helpful hints when traveling for production; make sure to be clear on what’s allowed on the plane. The last thing you want is for a TSA agent to seize any of your equipment. And be sure to break down your gear as much as possible when packing. This will make it easier and faster for TSA agents to inspect it, and less likely that something will break during inspection and transit. 

Drone Insurance

Let’s be honest- aerial shots from drones look awesome, and you can’t really get that shot any other way. But drones also bring in a number of new risks you’ll need covered. At Athos, we offer special insurance for drone, which covers loss or damage to your drone, accessories, mounted equipment, and spare parts. It also protects you from liability if your drone causes bodily injury or property damage, and includes legal fees and medical bills. 

This insurance is only available for commercial drone use, meaning that it must be used in connection with a business. It’s also only covered when flown in the U.S. There are additional worldwide use policies, so if you need that, contact Athos for a quote. And you’ll buy drone insurance based on how long you need it for; you can get it anywhere from hourly, to monthly, or annual. And if you have multiple drones, you’ll need multiple policies. And the best part is, you can get your official certificate of drone insurance online instantly! 

Protecting Your Gear

In addition to insurance, there are a few other steps we recommend for protecting your gear out in the world. Unfortunately, it’s somewhat common to have equipment stolen from cars. This may seem like common sense, but if you can’t take it with you, make sure it’s in the trunk and not visible, or have someone watch it. And always park in a secure, well-lit area when you have expensive equipment with you. 

In terms of weather, make sure to prepare for shooting conditions you may not expect. Investing in some rain covers has saved many a shoot day, but a well-placed trash bag can usually work in a pinch. A lens hood can help protect the lens, as can an optical flat to shield it from dust and sand, which is easier to replace than a lens if it should get scratched. Wipe your gear off after it rains (but never wipe the lens with your shirt!), and you can even throw some silica gel packets into your camera bag to soak up extra moisture. 

When it comes to heat, don’t leave gear in a hot, closed car, and always give your camera a half hour to adjust when moving from one extreme temperature to another, before turning it on. Keep gear in the shade when not being used, and keep track of the camera’s temperature when using it in the sun. Again, these are mostly common sense moves to help keep things running smoothly.

Call Us for a Quote

Hopefully you now see how vital equipment insurance is to any production, and have a better idea of what it covers. Take that next step of making sure you’re truly ready for whatever the shoot might throw at you, by getting the right policy. Athos insurance agents can help tailor a policy to your exact needs, so you’re covering everything you need, and nothing you don’t. Give us a call and we’ll walk you through the process!

You’ve probably heard the term “workers’ comp,” but unless you’re in HR or a business owner, it may just sound like another buzz word that gets thrown around. Let’s talk about what workers compensation is and how it relates to film production. 

Workers comp, which is short for “workers' compensation,” is insurance coverage that you take out for your business that reimburses employees for work-related illness or if they're injured on the job. Because let’s face it, things happen. And sometimes those things happen to your employees. And when they do, they can sue you. So let’s get into it. 

Each state will have its own laws and statutes as respects to what is an employee, what is an independent contractor, and whether or not independent contractors can be insured by a workers’ comp policy. For example, in California, the employer/policyholder should review both the ABC test and the Borello test for workers’ comp purposes. If you're also in California, you can read more information about the ABC test here.

If you're an employer who controls the work aspect of the contractor's “work life” such as work hours, functions, pay rates, etc., this may qualify them to be an employee eligible for workers' compensation.   

Let’s say you own a cafe. Is the waiter an employee? The baker? The candlestick maker? The waiter is an employee. You make his schedule, you decide his pay rate. The baker is most likely the same, unless you source the pastries from another bakery. 

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

As for the candlestick maker, I’m gonna need a little more information. Such as, where’d you find a candlestick maker? Does he make candles too, or just the sticks? You get the idea. 

So, how about the plumber who fixes your toilet? Nope, she’s an independent contractor. Why? Because you don’t control the work aspects of her life. You don't control her hours, pay, or work activities she’s required to perform. 

Now, if she’s an on-staff plumber because you’re all jamming the toilet so much, then she’d be an employee. But in that case, try re-evaluating your diet and then worry about who's covered by workers comp. 

So plumbers, and anyone else you contract with, are independent contractors. They tell you when they’ll get there and how much you’ll have to pay. 

You may be wondering, how does this relate to production, and why all the talk about coffee shops? Is it because I’ve been cooped up in the house too long writing these articles and am dreaming of a nice espresso and croissant? Most likely, yes. But, it’s also an easy example to start with. 

When it comes to film production, most people on set are independent contractors. These include ADs, Production assistants, grips, gaffers, camera crew, etc. There are employees as well, usually receptionists, assistants, etc, who are hired annually or part-time and given a W-2. But most of the folks you see on set, scurrying around, carrying equipment, frantically shouting that we’re “burning daylight” are contractors, who are paid by 1099s. While they are technically independent contractors, they can be covered under workers comp because of the nature of their work and how their schedules are typically dictated by the production. It is advantageous for production companies to cover them in case of an injury on set. Production work can be higher risk than you might think, with a lot of moving parts, new locations all the time, and heavy equipment. So even though it's more costly to cover contractors under a workers comp policy, it’s still advantageous to both parties: for production to protect itself from liability, and for contractors themselves, since they generally aren’t providing their own. 
 

Photo by Rendy Novantino on Unsplash

Does your production need coverage options? Or, do you have any questions about what coverage you might need? Athos offers policies that include workers’ comp, and our friendly agents can help you find the right policy for your specific situation. 

But if you just need workers’ comp by itself, there are a few other options. You can go through your state fund or work with a payroll company that can add the workers’ comp coverage on top of payroll.

We always hope production goes smoothly and we can create that Hollywood magic without any major hiccups. But for the times when things go awry in ways we never even suspected, make sure you and your employees are covered. Give us a call today and know you’re in good hands. 

Well, you’re finally getting out there! You got a sweet gig in another country! You’re excited to see new places, meet cool strangers, and eat things you’ve never tried. It’s all happening, and it’s very exciting.  

However, when you're traveling outside the US with your videography equipment or photography equipment, there’s more to international travel than just renewing your passport and getting your vaccines. And if you’ve read any of  our blog posts before, you probably know where this is going. That’s right, insurance! 

Before you travel abroad, you need to know how to insure your photography gear with international insurance coverage. Let's explore what kind of coverage you’ll need, what’s covered, and what’s not.

What Happens When You Run Into Airline Troubles?

When planning how to insure your camera equipment for travel, you need to check a few things beforehand. Make sure you're not traveling anywhere your insurance policy won't cover. 

If you're traveling somewhere on  the US Sanctions List, you might not be covered there. That’s something you’ll want to bring up with your insurance company agent when shopping for a policy. This list may include some places you don’t expect, so make sure to take a good look.

When photographers and videographers fly internationally, there are a few other tips to keep in mind. It’s always better to carry-on your gear versus checking it in. Keeping your camera gear close by makes it harder for the airlines to lose it (which they seem to LOVE doing). 

If your equipment is somehow mistaken for a security hazard, it could get confiscated by security. For example, if you have a boom mic that resembles a grenade launcher, maybe leave that one at home. 

If this happens, it’s unfortunately not covered by photography insurance or gear insurance. This is yet another thing to chat about with your insurance agent about. Call your insurance agent before you travel abroad.

How to Best Insure Your Camera Equipment for Travel

When you travel outside the US with your camera equipment, you should also know if there are any insurance exclusions for theft or accidental damages involving transit, like if it’s lost by an airline. Some policies sneak those in, so definitely talk to us about it when you call.

What To Do In a Worst Case Scenario

And if your gear DOES get stolen while abroad, you’ll have to file a police report in that city immediately. We know the last thing you want to do in Paris is talk to Officer Escargot, but once you get back to the US and report a theft in a foreign country, it’s going to be really difficult to submit an insurance claim. You’ll need that evidence of the police report from the city where it was stolen.  

Show ‘em How You Navigate Camera Equipment Insurance

So, when you finally get that dream gig to travel outside the US, or even if you’re just bringing your camera equipment to shoot some fun scenes on vacation, make sure you’re covered before you step on that plane. 

The last thing you want is to get your valuable camera gear stolen in a foreign land and not have camera insurance. Even travelers’ diarrhea goes away faster than the regret of being unprepared! Give us a call and our friendly agents can help guide you to the right plan for your trip. Let us help you do what you came to do!

This year was tough for all of us! Thankfully, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel! More and more people are getting vaccinated, and while some people complain of the side effects, the main side effect is that life is starting to return to normal. 

For business owners, this is very promising. But with many operating in the red after a year of volatility and changing regulations, many businesses are trying to figure out the best way to recover and/or expand their operations. 

Their survival could depend on their ability to get a business loan. Luckily, there is help. It’s an SBA Loan, Man! A superhero with a big “L” on his shirt. No, that would be the lamest superhero of all time. 

Actually, a federal agency called the Small Business Administration, or SBA, supports small businesses, and matches them to the right lenders. But in order to get a loan, the SBA requires a business to have business insurance. So, let’s dive in and talk about what that means. 

While insurance requirements vary by industry, a common requirement is to have insurance coverages on the physical property and contents of the business. Loan applicants generally need some level of property insurance, depending on what type of property their business has. 

Most are required to get as the SBA puts it, “hazard insurance on any real or personal property collateral securing a loan”. Basically, any collateral that you offer up to secure the loan must be insured against hazards. 

Lenders just want to make sure that if you default on the loan and the property is lost in a fire or some other hazard, the lender wouldn’t simply lose their investment. So, if you’re a coffee shop, those fancy, steaming espresso machines have to be insured, along with tables and chairs, and any other property. 

What does getting hazard insurance for an SBA loan mean for your business? 

Well, for most Athos clients, the best way to cover their business property is through an Equipment Floater policy, also known as an “Inland Marine Equipment Floater Insurance''. 

You don’t even have to be a marine to get one! It’s just a fun name. This policy can cover many different types of equipment you own, including production, musical, sound, sports, and more, and it satisfies the SBA’s property or hazard insurance requirements. 

In fact, an Equipment Floater insurance policy is far superior to a property policy, since it covers contents and property anywhere, including your office, outside the office or in the field, and basically anywhere in the whole world, except countries with US sanctions (so be extra careful with your equipment in Cuba!) 

Also, equipment insurance is an all-peril policy! 

So, naturally, it includes many possible perils. Equipment floater insurance will cover: fire, water, lightning, accidental damages, earthquake, wind, flood insurance, transit coverage, equipment getting ravaged by wild lions, who knows what can happen! 

So getting an equipment insurance policy as your hazard insurance is even more broad than what’s even required to get an SBA loan. 

So, if you’re shopping around for a loan to help reopen your business, make sure you work with a reputable insurance company to get the coverage you need to secure your SBA loan! 

Or maybe you already applied for a loan, only to find out you need coverage?  

Reach out to Athos today, and one of our agents will guide you through the process! We got you covered!

Imagine the following scenario: A Director of Photography is at the airport waiting for his flight to South Korea. He’s hoping to somehow cross the demilitarized zone into North Korea for a documentary film he’s working on. As his carry-on luggage is being scanned at LAX, a TSA agent asks him to open up his Pelican case for inspection. The TSA agent finds his camera, camera gear – camera bag, lenses, lens hood, lithium batteries, and a small tripod. 

The TSA agent quickly inspects each item and confiscates the batteries and tripod. The DP is furious. He can’t do anything but listen to the TSA agent explain why airline passengers are prohibited from travelling with certain types of equipment. 

Eventually, the DP arrives in South Korea safely. The next day, he and a group of local filmmakers manage to smuggle their way into North Korea. During the short 2-hour shoot, the DP drops his camera and lens and cracks the lens.

Photo by Erik Odiin on Unsplash

What, if anything, is the DP able to claim under his insurance policy?

This is a tough question to answer. It would depend on the types of policies he has and the exclusions that are listed in those policies. In general, most insurance policies have an exclusion for Government Seizure or Destruction. 

A TSA agent is legally able to confiscate your camera equipment and if your insurance policy excludes Government Seizure or Destruction of property, your insurance policy would not be triggered. This means that in the above scenario, the DP would not be able to file a claim to replace his confiscated gear.  

In addition, The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which is a division of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, prohibits American citizens from doing business with governments, companies, and even individuals in certain foreign nations. Since North Korea is included in the list of U.S.-sanctioned countries, the DP’s lens that was damaged in North Korea may also not be covered under his insurance policy even if his insurance policy has worldwide coverage.

To avoid the same pitfalls that the DP above suffered, here are our Top 5 Tips to keep your gear safe when travelling internationally:

• Check the U.S. Department of Treasury’s website for the  list of sanctioned countries - If the country you’re travelling to is listed, chances are, your equipment is not insurable while you’re there. There are some exceptions to this rule, however, such as getting OFAC clearance from the government for government-approved travel. If that is the case, be sure to contact your insurance broker/agent prior to your trip to notify them that you’ve received clearance to travel to a U.S.-sanctioned country.
• Contact the airline(s) – Since every airline may have their own rules and regulations, it’s important to reach out to them to clarify which types of gear are allowed on the plane and which are prohibited.  At the end of the day, the more informed you are, the better your chances are that your gear won’t be confiscated.

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

• Do extra research before travelling with your gear – There are a ton of videos and articles online that can help you decide which types of equipment are likely to be seized by TSA, so make sure you know what those items are. Just remember that it can still be up to the discretion of that individual TSA agent to determine whether or not your gear poses a threat, so be smart! If that extra-long tripod looks like it could be used as a weapon, it may be a good idea to leave it behind. 
• Be organized – When packing your equipment, be meticulous about your gear organization. Break down your gear to make it easier for TSA agents to inspect it. Not only will this reduce the likelihood that it will get damaged during inspection, but it may also legitimize the purpose for your travel and help convince the TSA agent that your equipment is not dangerous. In addition, make sure to carry on the expensive stuff. If it’s hard to replace or the replacement costs are high, keep it in close proximity to you at all times. 
• Insure your equipment properly – Don’t rely on your homeowners’ policy to extend coverage for your gear when you’re using it in the field or travelling with it. Chances are, your equipment is no longer covered the moment you take it outside your home. 

Contact an insurance broker who specializes in production equipment insurance. The type of policy you should inquire about is called an Inland Marine Equipment Floater policy. Review the policy with your broker and ask as many questions as you can. The more you understand the policy and any exclusions that may apply, the better prepared you will be when you travel with your gear. 

Photo by Eva Darron on Unsplash

If you have any questions about your gear insurance while travelling, please feel free to give the friendly entertainment insurance experts at Athos Insurance a call at 626-716-9800 or contact us via our online customer service team. We’d be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Author, Aylene Villarin

Aylene joined Athos shortly after Katherine Wong founded the company in 2012, and has been an integral part of Athos’s growth and development ever since. Aylene’s diverse and robust experience spans across a multitude of services including underwriting, marketing, client management & retention, and business operations. She now serves as Athos’ claims analyst and manages the Underwriting Team, focusing on entertainment-wide insurance solutions for complex production risks.

So, you’ve invested in some good film and camera equipment, and managed to build up a solid collection of cameras, lenses, and gear. Now you want to rent it out between your own projects and pick up a little extra cash. Why not, right? 

Great idea! But before you start, there are some important things to know about renting out your gear. These five tips can save you a lot of time, money, and hassle. 

1. You’ll need a rental agreement 

I know, I know, it sounds all official, and you’re just renting it out to your roommate’s cousin’s friend Bobby. I’m sure it’s fine, right? NOPE! 

You’re going to want to have a rental agreement written up for every rental, even if it’s between friends or family, and even if you’re just lending it to someone and no money is being exchanged (very nice of you to do that, by the way). 

This way, if there is some kind of dispute, you have legal ground to stand on. It also legitimizes the rental in the eyes of your insurance company, so there are no issues with insurance claim payouts if something goes wrong. 

There are two key things to remember here: 

1. The rental agreement needs to be created before any gear is picked up.

2. The name on the rental contract has to match the policyholder name on the renter’s insurance policy. 

Wait! Your renter needs insurance! Let’s talk about that. 

2. Your renter needs a Certificate of Insurance to show they’re insured

Whoever is renting your camera or photography equipment will need to have equipment rental insurance. 

More specifically, they’ll need to have an Inland Marine Equipment Floater Insurance, an Equipment Floater, a DICE Production Insurance Package, or Miscellaneous Equipment Floater. We’ll discuss these different types of insurance packages in another post, but for now, just know that your renter needs to have one of them or it’s a “no” from you. 

You’ll need a certificate of insurance from them that names you as a loss payee. The limit should be at least the value of your rented equipment. And if the renter is renting from anyone else, the limit needs to cover the total of all rented equipment being rented from everyone. 

A quick note about expiration: an insurance policy will always expire at 12:01 am. This means that the expiration date should always be listed as the day after the gear is returned. 

I know, it seems like we are getting very technical here, and that’s because we are! We are an insurance company and it’s our job to look out for all the little details (and think about all the little things that could go wrong) so you don’t have to. 

3. You need gear insurance too!

Well guess who else needs camera equipment insurance? You! 

That’s right. You have to protect your gear, even if the renter has insurance, for a few reasons. 

If your renter is fraudulent, their insurance will not pay for your equipment, because the renter is duping you into giving them the equipment. This is considered fraud or criminal activity, which is never covered by an insurance policy when committed by the policyholder. 

Make sure to add “Voluntary Parting on False Pretense” coverage to your insurance policy, to protect against fraudulent renters. We’ll cover sketchy renters more below. 

4. You’ll need to do an official gear inspection

It’s important to inspect and test your gear before and after the rental, so you’ll be able to tell if anything has been damaged or broken. 

The last thing you want is a disagreement regarding damages. We recommend inspecting, testing, and documenting your inspection on video (you don’t need to make a Ken Burns documentary, just pull out your iPhone) with the renter before they leave with your gear. That way, you’re both on the same page about any scratches or pre-existing damages, which can prevent conflict later. Upon return, you’ll want to do the same thing. 

It’s always a good idea to do a deeper inspection within a few days of the equipment being returned, and to let the renter know you’ll be doing it. Don’t wait weeks to do this. The longer you wait, the easier it is for the renter to claim they had nothing to do with it. 

When the renter returns the equipment, ask if there were any problems or issues to allow them to explain anything unusual. And of course, document all feedback in writing.

5. You’ll have to be a little discerning about who you rent your camera gear to

I told you we’d return to the topic of “sketchy renters” and here we are. It’s so important to vet and research anyone you’re considering renting to. Fraud is on the rise lately, and being scammed is no one’s idea of a good time (except maybe the scammer). 

We recommend getting references, checking ID, asking for their social media profiles and scanning them to make sure they look real. Don’t worry, we won’t make you take a trip to their hometown and interview their elementary school teachers, but at least the same due diligence you’d do if you were hiring someone for a job, or vetting potential tinder matches for your sister. 

You need to be able to trust the person, at least to a certain degree. Always ask how they found you, and if they were referred by someone you know, ask that person about them too! 

Find out as much as you can before entrusting them with your valuable camera equipment. And if something seems fishy or doesn’t add up, ditch them. There will be other opportunities, and it’s not worth the trouble or risk. 

You worked hard to pay for all your gear, and renting it out can be a great way to make a few extra bucks. But just following these simple steps before jumping into a rental agreement with someone can help safeguard those valuable assets. 

Hopefully everything goes smoothly, but if anything goes wrong, you’ll be happy you were prepared! 

If you have any questions about gear rental insurance or need a gear rental policy for your camera equipment, our entertainment insurance agents at Athos Insurance is standing buy to make magic happen for you. 

Rent your gear with no worries with Athos Insurance!

You’ve decided to rent equipment to shoot and produce your new project. You locate a reputable rental house and secure everything you need. Everything is going well and you are getting great use out of the equipment. The return date is just around the corner and you are ready to return everything, damage-free. Then, an unexpected incident occurs.

After packing up the equipment at the end of the shoot, you leave it on the sidewalk for just a moment while opening your car. As you turn around, you see someone running off with the gear!

You know that these types of unfortunate events can happen to people renting gear. That’s why you get insurance, right? But what you may not know is that if they happen while the equipment is in your possession, a simple insurance policy may not cover everything. You could even be on the hook for additional charges.

Yes, you read that right! You may get charged additional costs from the rental house in the event of an accident or incident that leaves the gear unusable. 

While most insurance claims cover the cost of replacing or repairing the rented equipment, most people forget to consider the daily monetary loss that the rental house suffers while the gear is out of commission. This monetary loss is the additional cost that the rental house charges you due to the “loss of use” that they now have to cover.

Essentially, the rental house loses money every day that this gear is out of commission because they can’t rent that same equipment to someone else. 

Loss of Use Provision 

As a result, more and more rental houses are including a Loss of Use provision in their rental contracts. The Loss of Use provision states that the renter is responsible for continuing rental fees every day that the rental house is unable to rent the same equipment to another party. This makes the current renter responsible for rental houses' loss of income  for every single day that the rental house is unable to rent the same equipment to another person.

Those loss of use charges can be devastating for renters and add up quickly. This provision is what makes Athos’ optional Continuing Rental Fees Insurance essential. With this extra coverage, you are reimbursed for any continuing rental fees that are incurred after an initial 3 day waiting period. 

Get Peace of Mind

Loss of use fees are a burden on the renter while protecting rental houses from additional monetary loss. The best way to protect yourself from this burden and ensure peace of mind is to purchase optional Continuing Rental Fees Insurance through Athos. 

When you’re working, you need to be focused on your craft, your creative process, and making an incredible production. You do not want to be worried about potential mishaps, like damage to your rented equipment. Get started right here.

Making movies is fun. Every day is different, there’s always tasty food around, and everyone becomes best friends! Plus, at the end you have a movie! But a lot of work goes into it as well. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears, sometimes quite literally! Here are 10 on-set catastrophes that went beyond method acting and really happened.

Photo by  Jakob Owens on  Unsplash

1. The Boat Trip Hollywood Disaster

On the set of the 1996 film Titanic, around 50 cast and crew members had to go to the hospital after eating soup that had been laced with PCP, a powerful psychoactive drug that often leads to hallucinations. They suspected food-poisoning, but eventually realized they had been drugged. They never found out who spiked the soup, or why, but it’s a night no one will ever forget. Luckily, no one experienced any serious side effects, and shooting was able to resume the next day. I guess all of Hollywood is make-believe anyway!  

2. The Fury Film Accident

On the set of this WWII movie, a stuntman (whose identity was never revealed) was stabbed by another stuntman while practicing a scene with a bayonet. He was rushed to the hospital and was fine. Those present say he was in good spirits the whole time, even making jokes and talking!

3. The Passion of the Jim

Well, this one’s a doozy. Jim Caviezel, who played Jesus, went through an ordeal filming this movie. While filming in the Philippines, he was struck by lightning not once, but TWICE! He also dislocated his shoulder when the 150lb cross dropped on it, and was accidentally whipped twice, which left a bad scar. Plus, he got hypothermia and pneumonia from the winter scenes of him hanging on the cross. It’s a movie, guys, you’re not really supposed to torture him! Talk about method acting!

4. Hot Po-Tatum!

Channing Tatum really took one for the team on this one. While shooting The Eagle of the Ninth in the freezing cold Scottish Highlands, the actor and heartthrob was severely burned by boiling water. In order to stay warm, a crew member would pour warm water down his wetsuit between takes. But this time, he’d forgotten to dilute the boiling water, and poured scalding hot water down Channing Tatum’s wetsuit, severely burning his skin, (even burning the tip of his penis) and sending the poor actor to the hospital. He luckily made a full recovery. That’s terrible for Channing, but I’m sure the crew member will never live it down! Imagine having “burned Channing Tatum” on your resume!

5. Expendable Jason

While filming The Expendables 3, Jason Statham drove a truck into the Black Sea after the brakes on the truck went out. Luckily, Statham was actually a competitive diver before he started acting, and was able to escape the truck before it plunged 60 ft under the sea. Turns out he’s a badass on screen and off!  

6. Expendable Stallone 

Looks like the Expendables franchise had problems from the start! While filming the first movie, Sylvester Stallone broke his neck while shooting a fight scene with Stone Cold Steve Austin. He had to have a metal plate put in. We’re glad you’re ok Sly, but maybe when you’re 63, it’s time to let a stuntman step in! 

7. Like Clockwork

While filming the iconic scene in Clockwork Orange where the character Alex’s eyes are propped open, actor Malcolm McDowell ended up suffering temporary blindness and a scratched cornea from having his eyes open for so long. The things people do for art!

8. Worse than a Hangover

While filming The Hangover sequel in Thailand, Ed Helms’ stunt double suffered a terrible brain injury and was put in a coma after a car crash stunt went wrong. According to his lawsuit against Warner Bros, the stunt coordinator, at the last minute, told the other stunt driver to increase his speed beyond what was safe, causing the damage. Even when making a movie like The Hangover, some very unfunny things can happen! 

9. Water Laird

During the filming of Waterworld, Kevin Costner’s stunt double was Laird Hamilton, one of the best surfers in the world. Hamilton would jet ski to set, and at one point became lost at sea when his jet ski ran out of fuel! He drifted for hours in open water before being rescued by the Coast Guard. Luckily in Hamilton’s main sport, surfing, no gas is required! 

Photo by  Donald Tong from Pexels

10. Lord of the Injuries

While shooting Lord of the Rings in New Zealand, many actors suffered injuries. But Viggo Mortensen suffered the most. He shattered a toe from kicking a helmet (which is the take they ended up using in the film), got a black eye surfing with a few costars, and chipped a tooth during filming of The Two Towers. Luckily, his injuries were mild compared to the character he plays! 

It’s certainly interesting to read all about the crazy things that can happen on set, but it’s also important to be prepared for anything when shooting your own film. Hopefully, these stories are a good reminder to double and triple check that you’re covered for anything that might happen on the film set. At Athos Insurance, we make sure you aren’t paying for coverage you don’t need and make it easy to find the right insurance for whatever project you’re shooting, at the best possible price. 

Looking to insure your next shoot? Contact us today to make sure an incident on your set doesn’t become a catastrophe! 

If you’re entering the exciting world of documentary filmmaking, you might be wondering how to protect yourself and your crew across various locations. Questions like:

“Do you need production insurance for your documentary?” 

or

“What types of insurance coverage do you need?”

These are all common questions to ask before starting your documentary shoot. We are here to help you with these questions.

While your production may not include hazardous activities like fight scenes or pyro effects, accidents can still happen! You’ll need to protect your valuable equipment and talented team. Here’s why you need film insurance when shooting a documentary — and how to get the coverage you need for your production.

General Liability Insurance for Film Production

General Liability Insurance provides coverage for bodily injury to third parties, i.e. anyone who is NOT part of your cast or crew who may be impacted by your production. When shooting a documentary, you’ll often be in public places with bystanders or spectators, who can be injured by your activities. Your production company could then be sued for these injuries.

For example, let’s say you are filming your documentary in a museum, and your team has taped electrical wiring onto the floor. A museum visitor walks by, trips over the wiring, and breaks his or her arm. They would likely sue for bodily injury, and the museum would not want to be held liable for the accident, so the costs of medical treatment would fall on you. This could be devastating to your production and your business.

When you book a shooting location or work with a film permit office, you will almost always be required to carry general liability insurance. This ensures that damages can be paid out for third party accidents or injuries. 

General liability insurance is not as expensive as you might think, and it can be an absolute lifesaver. Remember, you cannot control the actions of third parties, so even if you take all preventative measures, accidents may still happen. Don’t get caught having to pay thousands of dollars for someone’s medical bills.

Third-Party Property Damage Coverage 

In addition to general liability insurance for potential bystander injuries, you’ll want to make sure you’re not on the hook for other people’s property damage. Furniture, flooring, walls, fixtures, or personal possessions that get broken or stolen, should be covered by insurance. Otherwise, you’ll be responsible for replacing and repairing the item.

For example, let’s say you’re loading equipment, and a crew member hits the wall, leaving a hole; or perhaps you’re hanging lights and one falls into a glass-top table.  These are examples of damaging other people’s property while filming. The venue where you’re filming can easily hold you liable for damages.

Many venues will require third-party property damage coverage when you’re shooting there. Expect to provide proof of coverage to cover this location. Good insurance will cover the costs of repairing damage to floors, walls, or ceilings, as well as repairing and/or replacing property at the locations you shoot.

Production Equipment Insurance

Whether you have your own equipment or are renting equipment from a rental house, you’ll want to cover the gear for accidental damages and theft. Equipment losses happen on projects big and small, hazardous and straightforward. Accidents, from dropping a camera to spilling a drink on your computer, to breaking a light, can slow or derail your production. Protect your assets with equipment insurance.

Equipment insurance should also cover theft. Your documentary production may take you to public places with a lot of foot traffic, or you may shoot at locations with high-crime rates. It takes only seconds for a thief to snatch your camera, laptop, or boom mic. We’ve heard horror stories of productions that completely shut down when their equipment was stolen and it wasn’t insured. 

If you are working with a rental house, you can be absolutely certain they will require Equipment Insurance. They want to make sure the gear is covered while in your possession. You can sometimes purchase coverage through the rental house, but we recommend obtaining your own to cover all possible scenarios.

Even if you lock up your equipment and take good care of it, mistakes happen. Equipment Insurance will cover damage or loss due to accidents, natural disasters, or theft.

Continuing Rental Fees or Loss of Use

If you are renting film equipment from a rental house or an equipment owner, and you have an insurance claim, Continuing Rental Fees or Loss of Use coverage will reimburse the rental house or equipment owner for their loss of income (rental fees) during the claims process. We recommend checking your rental contracts to see if you’re responsible for this loss of income. If so, you'll want to make sure to include this coverage when shopping for insurance.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

General Liability Insurance only covers bodily injury to those who are not associated with your production. To protect your cast and crew members, you’ll need workers’ compensation insurance. In many states, you’re legally required to obtain this coverage, even for independent contractors or 1099s. This ensures that cast or crew who get injured on your production get medical or rehabilitation costs covered, as well as wages they lost due to the injury. 

Even if you’re not using stunt performers or filming people doing dangerous activities, workers’ compensation (workers comp) is an absolute must. It covers everything from an actor  tripping over a cord to a crew member getting burned from a light. Note that even the safest sets can have accidents. Workers’ Compensation helps prevent your production company from having to pay thousands of dollars for hospital bills or missed wages. 

Your production team likely includes independent contractors and 1099 “gig workers,” all of whom should be covered under Workers Compensation, unless they have their own Workers Compensation coverage. Be sure that you cover any day laborers as well, even if they only work for you for one day in one location. 

Errors & Omissions Insurance (Also known as E&O Insurance)

If your film gets picked up by a studio, network or distributor, you will definitely need errors and omissions insurance. This type of coverage protects you from claims based on the content of the film. Without E&O, you may be more vulnerable to suits alleging libel, slander, defamation of character, invasion of privacy, illegal use of someone’s image, infringement of copyright, and plagiarism. 

For example, if you included footage of an informant making negative comments about a public figure, that public figure could allege that your film is defaming his or her character — even if you believed the informant to be credible. This is a higher risk for documentaries as compared to movies with fictional people. Without E&O coverage, you may have to pay attorney’s fees to defend yourself in court.

You may also be sued if you accidentally include footage of someone who did not consent to their image being used. We’ve even heard of documentary filmmakers being sued because they didn’t obtain permission for a pop song that was playing on a PA in a scene’s background.

E&O Insurance is usually a requirement when you sign a distribution agreement. You’ll start by demonstrating that you covered your bases, ie. you got script clearance, obtained consent forms and image releases, etc. Once you obtain your coverage, the policy will cover your defense costs if you are sued and the judgment if you are found liable.

The cost of E&O depends on the reach of the film and how controversial it might be. The more sensitive topics you include, the more your film may be targeted. And because you’re making a film, you may be presenting real people and situations that some people might try to construe as misrepresentation or invasion of privacy.

In short, you need E&O insurance for virtually all film projects that will be seen by the public. 

Wrapping Up

Getting insurance protects your film production and is well worth the cost. It protects you against potential lawsuits, reduces your liability, and helps keep your production afloat even if things go wrong. Costs of insurance vary depending on your coverage level and the production itself, but you’ll find it extremely helpful if someone is injured or tries to sue you.

Whenever someone cancels their production due to theft or had to pay thousands for medical bills or legal fees, they always wish they’d gotten insurance. We hear about it all the time! Don’t skip this crucial step — it’s vital towards covering your production! 

If you have questions or need assistance in finding the best film production insurance policy for your documentary shoot? You can trust Athos Insurance to be your guide.

We are a trusted entertainment insurance broker, who can build you a custom production insurance policy for your next documentary shoot. From feature films to independent films, the entertainment industry trusts us with their insurance requirements. 
You can easily get a production insurance quote, or contact our friendly customer service team if you have questions about insuring your next shoot. Call us at 626-716-9800 for immediate assistance or click to leave a message.

What is Inland Marine Insurance? When clients see the term “Inland Marine Insurance” they are often wondering how this is related to their production or film gear. It sounds like it should be insurance for something water or ocean-related, but don’t let the insurance terminology confuse you. In this article, we are going to breakdown what this policy covers and how it got its name. 

What Type of Equipment Does Inland Marine Insurance Protect?

Today, Inland Marine insurance has evolved and provides coverage for a broad range of miscellaneous types of property in transit and on-site. In other words, an Inland Marine policy covers portable or moveable equipment. The coverage is not location-specific so equipment insured by an Inland Marine policy is covered in storage, in transit, on set, etc.  

Property covered includes (but is not limited to) the following:

• Camera and Photography Equipment

• Production Equipment

• Musical Instruments

• Sports and Recreational Equipment

• Industrial Equipment

• Property in Transit

• Property in the Custody of a Bailee

• Contractors Equipment

• Leased Property

• Scheduled Property

• Trip Transit

• Non-Motorized Trailers

• Mobile or Moveable Equipmen

These policies are typically meant to cover accidental damages and theft of equipment. Additionally, they may cover losses caused by water damage, fire, earthquakes, windstorms, hail, or flood.

An Inland Marine policy won’t cover intentional acts by you or your employees, wear and tear, or internal causes of loss such as mechanical breakdown. 

Photo by  Lê Minh from  Pexels

How Does Inland Marine Insurance Relate to Film Production? 

If you own production equipment or rent gear from a rental house or other individuals you’ll need an inland marine insurance policy. This policy covers the production equipment for accidental damages and theft on or off the film set.

Some people are under the assumption that your homeowners or renters insurance policy will cover all your business equipment. This is not correct.  If you are using your production equipment for business  purposes, they may not be covered by your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy. 

What about if you have a business personal property policy? On a business policy, business personal property coverage is often location-specific. This means if you are taking your gear off-site (i.e. away from your office location) it may no longer be covered by your business personal property policy.

Where Did the Term “Inland Marine” Come From? 

Historically, insurance companies offered Ocean Marine insurance to protect owners from loss of cargo in the course of international commercial voyages by sea. Subsequently, a marketplace for fire insurance for buildings on land arose, especially after the Great Fire of London in 1666. Back then,Fire insurance companies typically provided narrower coverage, where the policies specifically listed what the perils are covered, and excluded all losses from any other causes.

In the 19th century, the Industrial Revolution gave rise to new types of property called “exposures on land”. Exposures on land were considered things like telegraphs, railroad equipment, and other types of property with which the fire insurance companies were unfamiliar with. 

People and businesses started shipping cargo beyond major ports and cities. They needed protection in case these goods were lost while being shipped by land as well.  This is where the term “Inland Marine insurance” came from. Inland Marine Insurance offered insurance protection of goods shipped beyond all the major bodies of water and port cities.

Don’t let the term “inland marine” fool you! We’re experts at providing coverage for production and specialized equipment - not boats!  

Have more questions about insuring your camera equipment? At Athos Insurance, we are happy to assist you with all of your questions concerning camera equipment insurance and can help you get the right kind of inland marine insurance for your camera equipment. Our office is open for your questions, contact our service team with any questions.

As a creative, the last thing you probably want to read about is insurance. The different types, the different levels, deductibles, you’re probably already tuning out reading this. But as boring as it is to think about, a quick guide to how video production insurance protects videographers can potentially save you a lot of money and stress later on. I promise I will make this as quick and painless as possible. Sure, you may not be a huge production company, but you still want the right type of videographer insurance coverage to protect your business.

Photo by Skye Studios on Unsplash

Types of Videographer Production Insurance

There are three main types of videographer production insurance that we’ll go over in this post: production equipment insurance, general liability insurance, and third-party property damage insurance. 

Equipment insurance covers, you guessed it, your production equipment. You’ve invested in all of this expensive gear, and now you’re finally getting the work that’ll help you pay it off. The last thing you want is to drop your expensive camera-baby and have to start from square one. You’ll want a policy that covers accidental damage and theft, and it should cover the replacement cost value, since equipment tends to depreciate as it gets older and used. Now, if you’re renting equipment for a shoot, you’ll still need to buy insurance on it for the time you’re renting it. Some rental houses will give you the option of buying insurance from them directly, but it’s often more cost-effective to buy your own. It’s always good to shop around for a policy within your range that covers your needs. Most rental houses will want to see the certificate of insurance that proves you have it, if you’re not buying insurance from them directly. Some videographers rent out their own equipment on peer-to-peer platforms. If you’re renting out your own equipment on peer-to-peer platforms, make sure your policy covers you if one of your renters breaks your stuff or runs off with it. 

In addition to your stuff, you may need general liability insurance. What this covers you for is, well, general liabilities. Since a favorite American pastime is suing each other, you’ll want to be ready in case you find yourself in a personal injury attorney’s crosshairs. What this means in practice is that if a bystander trips over a cord or impales themselves on a lighting stand on one of your shoots, you’re not going to have to go bankrupt/fake your own death to get out of it. In a business where you’re constantly working with new people, in new places, bodily injury can be more common than you might think. 

Another reason to have liability insurance is for property damage. If you’re on location and break a window, or drop a heavy light and dent the floor, that money’s not coming out of your pocket. Some general liability policies don’t include coverage for third-party property damage, though, in which case you’ll have to purchase it separately. Always make sure you understand what a policy covers before you choose one. 

Photo by Vanilla Bear Films on Unsplash

What about Amateur and Freelance Videographers?

Don’t talk about yourself that way! But for real, if you’re not getting paid for a film shoot, you may think you don’t need any insurance, but you probably want at least basic coverage against theft and damage. Your homeowners’ or renters’ insurance policy might cover it, but many policies put a limit on expensive items, most policies don’t cover business equipment, and you might not be covered outside the home. Make sure the policy you get covers items stolen out of a car, since some don’t. 

Whether you’re a seasoned vet or just starting out, there’s an insurance policy out there that’s perfect for your needs and your equipment. Get a policy you can afford, so you can protect your videography business, focus on getting the shot, and grow your business. Even if it’s expensive, you can’t put a price on peace of mind with quality insurance coverage. 

When you’re renting equipment, insurance is crucial. You don’t want to be responsible for any damages or losses to equipment that you don’t even own. But navigating the different insurance policies and trying to figure out what insurance plan you need can get very confusing. 

Rental houses always require renters to purchase Inland Marine Insurance. This is the policy that will cover the rented gear for accidental damages and theft so it’s really important to have this coverage

Many rental houses also require General Liability Coverage in addition to Equipment Rental Insurance. General Liability covers you for bodily injuries to third-parties. 

For example, if you rent a light from a rental house and it falls and hits someone who is not part of the production crew, that person can sue everyone involved in the project for their injuries (including the rental house, since technically, they are deemed the “owner” of the equipment.) 

Remember, you’re just the renter. This is why many rental houses will require General Liability Coverage in addition to Equipment Insurance.

Here are a couple more important things to remember when you are shopping for equipment rental insurance:

• Look out for common exclusions like theft from an unattended or unlocked vehicle, water damage, transit, worldwide coverage if you will be traveling outside the US. 

• If you’re renting equipment from multiple rental houses or equipment owners, make sure to add the total replacement cost value of all the gear. This should be the minimum insurance limit you purchase. You’re taking a big risk if you don’t insure everything because if you have a total loss like a fire or a theft where everything is stolen you will be personally responsible for the difference. You may think this won’t happen to you, but we’ve seen this happen before. 

• Business personal property does not cover rented production equipment. 

• Always make sure you have a rental contract in place to legitimize the rental. Claims may get denied if you do not have proof of a rental contract. 

• Always be sure the name on your rental contract matches the name on your insurance policy.  

• If you’re renting any vehicles in addition to the equipment, it’s important to note that the rented vehicle is not considered equipment, so you may also need to buy a Non-owned Hired Auto Policy as well.

There are so many factors to keep in mind and so many scenarios that could make you liable for damages and theft if you don’t have the right insurance. Every rental house has their own insurance requirements, so we highly recommend that you ask all rental houses you rent from for their insurance requirements to ensure your rented equipment is covered properly.

Fortunately, we get that rental insurance may be confusing, which is why we are always here to help answer any questions you might have! You can call us directly at 626-716-9800 or contact our always friendly customer service team.

Here’s an easy way to think of it...

Scheduled Equipment + Unscheduled Equipment = Total Owned Equipment

Let’s break down the factors:

Scheduled Equipment is for any single item with a replacement cost over $5,000 a piece, including sales tax.  So what if you buy a kit or several components that are always used together?  We always ask: can you purchase these items separately in the store?  Or are they always sold together?  If any single component can be purchased alone, that’s considered one single item.  For example, let’s say you purchased a set of 5 lenses together.  Each lens is worth $10,000 each (including sales tax) for a total of $50,000.  Each of these lenses can be purchased separately on it’s own.  That means you should schedule each lens separately under your Scheduled Equipment limit.  In the same example, if the 5 lenses are sold as a set for $50,000 and cannot be purchased separately, you would schedule this as 1 item under your Scheduled Equipment limit.  Athos requires the make, model, serial number (if possible) and replacement cost value of all scheduled items on file.

Unscheduled Equipment is for all single items with a replacement cost of $5,000 or less (including sales tax).  All these items (yes, even the small cords and batteries) are covered under the Unscheduled Equipment limit and do not need to be listed out.  You can think of it as a blanket limit for all your gear valued under $5,000.  You may wonder why you need to cover all these little items, even ones valued less than your policy deductible.   Well, just add them all up, and you’ll be surprised how much gear you own.  Remember that your deductible is per claim, not per item.  If all your gear was stolen one night, you’re only responsible for the one deductible for the entire claim amount. 

When applying or renewing for the Athos Equipment Floater program, we ask applicants to confirm their Total Owned Equipment amount.  Next, they’ll list all their Scheduled Equipment (items over $5,000 each).  Our system will then automatically calculate the Unscheduled amount by subtracting the Scheduled Equipment from the Total Owned equipment amount.

Unscheduled Equipment = Total Owned Equipment – Scheduled Equipment

Photo by  Samsung Memory on  Unsplash

So here’s a few important things to remember:

1. All OWNED gear over $5,000 apiece must be scheduled with Athos or else it’s not covered AT ALL  

Yikes!  So if you buy new gear with a replacement cost over $5,000 during the middle of your policy, make sure to add it to your policy (email Athos to update your policy).   Please don’t think that your Total Owned Equipment limit is a blanket amount for all gear, no matter what the value is.  Think of your policy as having two classifications (the total limit for gear over $5,000  and the total limit for ones under $5,000)

2. Make an inventory of ALL your gear and always UPDATE it

As a business owner, your gear and equipment are your company’s assets.  If something horrific happened to all your equipment at one time (i.e. theft or fire), you’ll want a document that already lays out all equipment and its values.  Trying to remember all your assets after it’s been stolen or burned up, will be extremely difficult and create issues during a claim with the insurance carrier.

3. When valuing your equipment, always use the replacement cost and include sales tax

The replacement cost is the cost to replace your gear with a brand new item or like-kind (if they don’t make it anymore).  The value is NOT based on the fair market value, which factors in depreciation or compares your value to a used version.  Always include the sales tax so you’re insuring for the complete replacement cost.  You do not want to be stuck paying the sales tax after if you’re maxing out limits on a claim

Why does the Athos equipment coverage program make us go through all this trouble to schedule gear? 

It may be annoying to break out your gear into two groups, but this was created to give more flexibility to customers.  Some other equipment insurance companies (not Athos) require ALL gear to be listed to validate coverage.  This is quite restrictive because, during a claim, only items on that list would be covered.  What if you recently bought a memory card and forgot to add it right away?  No coverage.  Eeek!

Under the Athos inland marine insurance program, only single items over $5,000  must be listed to have coverage (scheduled equipment).  This means for the unscheduled equipment (under $5,000 apiece), you’re not bound to a full scheduled list for coverage. This is helpful especially as people buy/sell/upgrade equipment often.  Think of your unscheduled equipment limit as a blanket limit for the smaller stuff.

The Athos equipment program can cover all types of equipment, from cameras, lighting gear, sound gear, props, sets/wardrobes, production-related gear, musical instruments, generators, party rental equipment, bounce houses, sporting equipment, and other equipment related to Entertainment and Sports industry.  Since the value of our clients’ gear ranges from low (such as a battery or cord) to high (such as an Alexa Mini or Red Camera), it’s important to make and save an inventory of ALL your equipment.  Then you’ll be ready to determine how to cover your gear properly as scheduled versus unscheduled gear.

Finding the right equipment insurance used to be a difficult and tedious task, calling insurance companies, listening to bad music while being put on hold, and of course, trying to navigate through that confusing insurance language. Now you can visit our site any time of the day, get instant insurance quotes, and customize your equipment policy to your liking. Here are a few key items to consider before buying your Owned Equipment policy.

Things you should consider when looking for the right equipment insurance policy

1. Coverage: One of the first things to consider when shopping for equipment insurance, is understanding what equipment insurance policies typically cover. Typically, these policies are meant to cover your gear for accidental damages and theft. Equipment insurance policies typically won’t cover wear and tear or if your equipment breaks or malfunctions

2. Common Exclusion to Look Out For: Some equipment insurance policies will have an exclusion for theft of equipment from an unattended or unlocked vehicle. 

This means that if your equipment is stolen from a vehicle and that vehicle was either unlocked or unattended, the policy will not cover this loss. 

Be sure to always check if this exclusion exists so you can either take the necessary precautions to protect your gear, or you can look for a policy that includes coverage for theft of equipment from a vehicle.

3. Valuation: Different insurance policies will have different methods of determining the claim payment amount in the event of a loss. A good equipment insurance policy will include Replacement Cost valuation. This means your equipment will be replaced with equipment of like kind and quality. When a policy uses a replacement cost valuation, you are not penalized for depreciation. 

It’s always important to know the current replacement cost of your gear since it may be different than what you paid for it.

Photo by  KAL VISUALS on  Unsplash

4. Extra Equipment Insurance Coverage Options for the Entertainment Industry: Depending on your business operations, you may need to look for extra coverage to protect your equipment properly. If you have any specialized business operations, you may want to consider talking to a representative when shopping for insurance to ensure you’re properly covered. Below are just a few examples:

• Rental Houses Operations: Do you rent out your gear to other people to make some extra money (i.e. sub-renting, using peer-to-peer platforms like ShareGrid, etc.)? If yes, one of the biggest risks you face when renting out your gear is fraudulent renters. If you rent your gear to a renter who never returns your equipment, the renter’s insurance policy will not pay for their crime. If you have rental operations, you should look for an equipment insurance policy that can offer voluntary parting or conversion coverage to protect you against this risk.

• Filming above or underwater: If you are an underwater camera operator or frequently use your equipment above water (i.e. on a boat), make sure that your equipment is covered when using it above (afloat) or underwater. This may be extra coverage that can be added to your policy.

5. Deductible: In the event of a claim, the deductible is the amount you, as the policy owner, are responsible for before a claim payout is made. When a claim is paid out, the insurance carrier will subtract the deductible from the total payout. Some equipment insurance policies will offer you different deductible options, which gives you more flexibility in choosing an amount that works for you.

6. Customer Service: While most of your research for an equipment insurance policy can be done online, it’s important to know that you can talk to an actual person at the insurance company if needed.

• Are you able to get in touch with a representative via email only or can you give the company a call and talk to a team member? 

• When you have questions, is the company able to respond promptly? 

Always value the importance of reliable customer service when it comes to insurance. At Athos, we work to provide the most reliable customer service possible. If you have any questions, feel free to visit our customer service center here.

Lauren Castillo

Lauren is the external assistant vice president at Athos Insurance. In her 3 years at the company she has developed a passion for client services and marketing. At Athos, Lauren has honed her skills for client retention, underwriting, and also helped launch the company’s social media and marketing efforts.

As I write this, outdoor restaurants and bars in LA are about to close down again for at least 3 weeks as COVID-19 cases are on the rise. They were open, they closed, then they were open only for outdoor dining, now they’re closed again. We don’t know whether they’ll be open again in a few weeks or not? 

While regulations on restaurants, stores, and everything else have changed constantly over the course of the pandemic, filming rules have remained pretty consistent since June. So if you’re a filmmaker looking to jump back into the game, hopefully this article can point you in the right direction. 

Some filmmakers are hesitant to even bother location filming right now. With the added work and expenses of complying with health and safety guidelines, plus the risk of you or someone on your crew getting sick, many would rather wait this whole thing out. That’s understandable, but the new rules and guidelines aren’t as complicated as you think. Most are common-sense measures to slow the spread of the virus, and I guarantee after reading this article you’ll be more equipped to get a production off the ground.

The Basics

On June 12, LA County Department of Public Health put out a health order. It has requirements about social distancing, masks, hours you can film, sanitation, and testing. These apply to all types of filming activity, union or not, and even include student films. In order to get film permits, filmmakers must comply with the order, and the requirements are pretty strict. In addition to these county requirements, the tv, and commercial film industry has developed its own guidelines, laid out in a SAG AFTRA publication by the AMPTP’s Industry Wide Labor Management Safety Committee Task Force, comprised of health experts and reps from studios and unions. 

We’ll base this guide off of those guidelines as well as the county order (there is a lot of overlap) to use as a COVID-19 resource. If you decide to start production during Covid, you’ll want to read the full health order here, but we’ll go over enough to give you a good idea of what to expect.

Remote Work

First, they recommend that anyone who’s able to do their job from home should do so. Obviously very few productions can take place fully remotely, though some have gotten creative. Some of the production jobs that can take place remotely, including casting (with actors self-taping auditions or zooming in), pre-production meetings, post-production, etc. Basically everything except on-set filming. 

You'll Need a Compliance Officer on Set

So for those working on set or in person, a workplace COVID-19 Compliance Officer (C19CO or COC) must be designated to establish COVID safety protocols, train staff on these rules, and make sure they’re being followed. While there’s no formal certification requirement for the officer, it has to be someone “appropriate,” so you can’t get a “COVID Compliance Cutie” shirt for your golden retriever and think you’re set to go. 

However, maybe your responsible, out-of-work friend who’s a bit of a stickler for rules would appreciate the gig. There are also some unofficial training courses for aspiring COCs, and online databases of those who have completed the courses. 

The Nitty-Gritty (Additional) Rules

Production has to provide PPE and sanitizer, and everyone has to wear a face mask whenever possible (no one likes wearing masks all day, but at least you don’t have to smell the boom operator’s coffee breath). Actors don’t have to wear masks while shooting, but are encouraged to wear them between takes and setups, especially when around other people. 

1. Anyone who has symptoms of Covid, has tested positive, or has likely been exposed has to isolate and not come to work. 

2. Regular testing of on-set cast and crew is required. For shoots where regular testing isn’t feasible, they discourage close scenes that include talking, to prevent spread.

3. There are strict protocols for what to do if one or more cast or crew members become infected.  

4. Common areas must be disinfected frequently, workstations must be at least 6’ apart, and breaks must be staggered so people can stay 6’ apart in break rooms. -Employees can only eat in certain areas, to make sure they’re wearing masks all other times.

5. Props, equipment, and tools all have to be cleaned between uses. 

6. If you’re doing an audience scene, audience members should wear masks and be seated 6’ apart, preferably outdoors. This rule protects against covid and close-talkers.

7. Some of the more upsetting rules relate to food and drink, such as the rule against buffets. (I know, I should have been more upfront about this one.) It’s sad, but if it helps us get back on set, we’ll take it. Also, no shared coffee pots, no sharing food, and everyone has to sanitize before eating. 

8. When possible, shooting has to occur between 7am and 10pm. But again, this guideline is stated as “when possible.” If there’s a reason that it’s impossible to only shoot within those hours (such as needing to shoot during sunrise), that’s ok, it just needs to be justifiable if anyone should take you to task.

And while it’s important to be familiar with the basics, remember that there will be a compliance officer on all sets to make sure rules are being followed and not forgotten, so you don’t have to stay up late studying the county’s full 10-page list. 

When you break down the guidelines, it’s not as intimidating as it might seem. It’s mostly just common-sense practices to keep everyone safe. And while it may require slightly more time and money to film certain types of scenes, it shouldn’t restrict your creativity too much (maybe just cut that packed nightclub scene for this one). 

So for those who can’t wait until some theoretical post-pandemic future, we hope this guide has helped give you the confidence to jump back in.

Need production insurance for your next shoot? Athos has your back with interest free installment plans on all standalone ANNUAL equipment floater policies.

PLEASE NOTE: This article was written based on current guidelines as of 12/4/20. Be sure to check before starting production for any more recent changes. 

Once these valuable items are considered essential to your business operations, they’re almost always excluded by your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.  These policies typically only cover gear for personal use. Additionally, if you have a business policy with Business Personal Property, sometimes this only covers your gear in a specific location or has many inconvenient exclusions that are unsuitable for someone in the entertainment world. This is where Athos can assist with your personal property coverage.

Also known as Inland Marine Equipment Floater insurance, an Athos Equipment policy covers many risks, including the use of your personal property for commercial purposes. 

Our policy (at Athos Insurance) is also widely known as an “equipment floater”, meaning your insurance coverage ‘floats’ to follow your gear wherever it may be, especially if you’re taking your equipment away from your home. This type of insurance can play a HUGE role in the event that you need to make an insurance claim. 

Highlights of included and optional coverages:

• Accidental Damages - Unintentional damages to equipment such as water damage, drops, and scratches are covered, as well as, damage caused by falling objects.

• Theft - Equipment stolen from you is covered; theft could be from set, storage, your home, an auto, etc. 

• Damage caused by natural events such as lightning, fire and smoke, earthquakes, windstorms, hail and flood is covered. 

• Damage due to Nationally Declared Acts of Terrorism is covered. 

• (Optional) – Voluntary Parting and/or Conversion - known as Fraudulent Renters coverage. If you rent out your equipment and the renter just never returns your gear, the renter’s insurance policy wouldn’t cover their criminal act. Voluntary parting coverage is meant to cover this very type of risk. 

• (Optional) – Equipment afloat or underwater -if you plan to take your gear on a boat or underwater (i.e. an underwater camera operator) you can add the optional Above or Underwater coverage. Snow would also be considered water. This coverage can be added annually or on a temporary basis on your annual policy by endorsement.

• Worldwide Coverage - Your equipment is covered worldwide except for in countries with US sanctions. If traveling to Mexico the policy automatically includes coverage for equipment up to $25,000. Additional coverage for Mexico can be added for additional premium. 

• Damage or theft that occurs during transit and/or shipping is covered.

• Replacement Cost Coverage - This means your equipment will be replaced with equipment of like kind and quality - you are not penalized for depreciation.

Learn to Protect your gear and your business investments with better insurance at Athos!

Jace Hadfield, Processing Manager of Athos Insurance Services

Jace’s professional background is heavily focused on finance. However, his finance skills were diversified amongst many industries along his career including an education institution, a large tech company, and a software engineering firm. When he joined Athos, he easily found his groove with our program policy processes and now manages the processing department. Jace continues to improve inefficiencies and always make sure accounts don’t fall through the cracks (something essential at an insurance brokerage and agency). With such varied experience, Jace brings a fresh perspective and an enthusiastic attitude to Athos. 

Everything You Need to Know About Voluntary Parting or False Pretense Coverage when Renting Out Your Camera Gear  

In a world where peer-to-peer production equipment rentals are becoming more common, we want to provide camera equipment owners with the most robust coverages available. 

Overall, an amazing online community (like ShareGrid) has formed, where you can easily find and rent any piece of equipment you may need for production or photo-shoot just by doing a quick online search.

Additionally, camera equipment owners are benefitting from making some extra money by renting out their gear when it’s not being utilized. While most of the community is made up of genuine creatives, renting your camera gear out to someone you don’t know comes with risks. The biggest one is voluntarily parting with or renting your gear to fraudulent renters.

What is Voluntary Parting vs. Theft?

A common misunderstanding is that people think voluntary parting is the same as theft, but they are actually defined differently. Theft is defined as equipment being stolen directly from the renter against their will. An example of this is when a thief smashes the window of your car and steals the camera equipment that you left in the back seat. 

By contrast, Voluntary Parting occurs when an owner willingly gives his or her equipment to someone (the renter), and the renter never returns with your gear. The biggest misconception is that the renter’s insurance policy will pay if the renter themselves steals the gear. 

However, voluntary parting is considered a crime the renter commits, and the renter’s insurance policy is never going to cover them for fraudulent activity. In other words, an insurance policy is not meant to cover the policyholder against criminal activity. 

So when you rent out your camera gear to people you don’t know, it’s important to be aware of this possible exposure and you’d want to check with your insurance company to make sure that your insurance covers fraudulent renters on your equipment rental insurance policy. 

 Photo by Lê Minh from Pexels

The Good News About Voluntary Parting or False Pretense Coverage

At Athos, we offer an optional additional coverage called Voluntary Parting or False Pretense coverage to individual equipment owners, which is a great add-on because this is typically a coverage that’s only available to rental house businesses. 

Voluntary Parting or False Pretense coverage offers protection against fraudulent renters, and it is a coverage we highly recommend to anyone renting out their gear, especially in peer-to-peer online platforms.  On our annual equipment policies, equipment owners have the option of adding up to $100,000 of voluntary parting or false pretense coverage.  

In addition to having the Voluntary Parting or False Pretense coverage on your policy, you always must have a rental contract in place between you and the renter. At the minimum a rental contract should include the following:

• A statement that says the renter is fully responsible for all damages or losses whatsoever
• Both the owner's and borrower's legal names and addresses 
• A full description of the rental equipment 
• The period of time the rental agreement is for 
• The expected delivery/return date
• The cost of the rental 
• Any security deposits that are required
• Fees for late returns 

Since a rental contract is a business document we recommend having your business attorney review your rental contract for legal accuracy. 

While a sound insurance policy will help save the day, throwing all your responsibilities out the window is not encouraged.  All clients who walk through your door should be vetted and reference checked.  The Athos policies also require that a valid rental contract is in place for valid coverage.

There are plenty more stories about the great experiences people are having when they can seamlessly rent out their gear and make some extra money on the side. The bad stories are the ones that always stand out and discourage equipment owners from participating in the peer-to-peer gear rental space. And while we’d love for every rental to go smoothly, we know that even with all the measures put into place to keep these fraudulent renters out of the community, they are still a very real threat. 

It’s so important to understand what your risks are when renting out your gear, and how to protect yourself. Athos has your back and we want to help! Rented equipment owners who are renting out their gear to strangers should always feel secure in their own insurance coverage, just in case, a renter’s policy doesn’t pay out or if the renter is fraudulent. To learn more about this special coverage, you can contact our customer service support team. 

Time and time again we hear from clients who left their gear in their car and come back to find that it’s all been stolen. This is one of the most common types of thefts, and it can happen very fast! Whether you’re running into a restaurant to get a bite to eat after a long day of filming, or if the gear is being stored in a vehicle while on location, you should always have your guard up and keep your gear safe. 

Unfortunately, criminals have been known to target this industry. Fortunately, Athos’s equipment insurance can help with this.

Here are our recommendations on how to protect your camera equipment from getting stolen out of a car:

1. Unload your equipment and take it inside whenever possible

2. If you have to unload in multiple trips, have someone you trust to stay with the gear while you unload your gear

3. If you must leave equipment in a car, never leave equipment visibly in a car - Put it in the trunk

4. Designate a watchman for any gear that will be left in a production vehicle for an extended time

5. Park in a well-lit secure and guarded (24/7) location

Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash

Since this type of theft is so common in the entertainment industry, some insurance policies have an exclusion for theft from an unattended or unlocked vehicle. When shopping for insurance always talk to your broker or camera equipment insurance company to see if your policy covers theft from an unattended/unlocked vehicle. Oftentimes filmmakers end up learning about this exclusion the hard way, after equipment has been stolen out of a vehicle, and find it’s not covered on their policy.

The exclusion of theft from an unattended or unlocked vehicle will not always be clearly listed on your certificate of insurance. Some insurance certificates will specifically state if the policy includes coverage for theft from an unattended vehicle, but often the only place where you will be able to find this exclusion mentioned is in the actual policy documents. Be sure to double-check with your insurance company to be safe!

If there IS an exclusion for theft from an unattended or unlocked vehicle exclusion, ask if it can be removed so that you can rest assured that you are covered. Knowing whether or not your policy covers equipment stolen from an unattended or unlocked vehicle will help you better understand your risks. 

Additionally, if you’re renting equipment from a rental house, most vendors will require that your policy covers theft from an unattended/unlocked vehicle. They want to make sure their gear is fully covered while in your possession. You can always check the insurance requirements provided by the rental house to see if they require this exclusion to be removed. If it isn’t clearly stated in their list of insurance requirements, make sure to check your rental contract as well.  

If you do experience this type of theft, you’ll want to make sure to do the following as soon as possible:

1. File a police report

2. Take pictures - Be sure to include signs of break-in like broken windows

3. Take inventory of what was stolen

4. If there were witnesses, try to get statements 

5. Contact your insurance company 

Photo by Ryan Graybill on Unsplash

Having all of this information will be helpful when submitting your claim to the insurance carrier. The adjuster assigned to your claim will need this type of information and being prepared can help ease the claims process. 

Knowing your risks and how to protect yourself is the best way to prepare for this theft scenario. The more you understand what your insurance covers and any exclusions that may apply, the more you can protect your business, and the better prepared you will be when deciding how to handle your gear. The Athos Team is always here to help educate and answer any questions you may have so please feel free to reach out.