ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

2 years, 3 months ago - John Lubran

Compulsory insurance under law is a narrowly specific requirement, such as under Road Traffic laws.

For most undertakings insurance isn't compulsory per se; nevertheless liabilities are compulsory under Law, insured or not. Legally required or not, all serious production, including micro budget shorts, ought to be insured against third party risks and is often a requirement of those with whom the filmmaker needs cooperation.

Where film making involves other people, and other people's property, insurance is a defence against the wreckage and ruination that can arise, even in the most seemingly safe circumstances.

Understandably if ones project is a purely hobbyist or commensuratly private amaturist thing where all and everything is offered voluntarily and where no glaring safety risks are likely, it's not unreasonable to take a low level risk.

For any production involving much more than glorified home movie activities insurance is a no brainer.

The lack of meaningful contextual detail in the question strongly suggests naivety. Naivety is often a factor in production disasters and uninsured train wreck and slow car crash consequences.

So whilst genericaly worthy jobsworth type answers might be deemed helpful, the devil is in the detail. There's none in the question.

2 years, 3 months ago - Yen Rickeard

If you hope to make a career in filming, then safety comes first. Then, even if you think you can afford to cover the costs of any destructive event, strongly consider insurance. If you are paying every one, and hiring equipment, film sites etc you should have enough money to buy the insurance. Then make sure you won't have to claim on it!

2 years, 3 months ago - Kal Sabir

Unless you are minted and able to cover any claims, get insurance.

2 years, 3 months ago - Chris Chandler

There are (arguably) two insurances a production might/should have. Other people have covered public liability - absolutely better to have it than not. Consideration might be also given to employer's liability insurance if you are paying anyone on the shoot. Even a freelancer could potentially claim against you if they suffer injury or loss whilst working on a production.

2 years, 3 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

My argument is that if you feel you can't afford insurance, you absolutely can't afford NOT to have it...

Things go wrong, people get sued.