Stunts are integral to many films, contributing to high-stakes, tension, and audience immersion. However, stunts also carry significant risks for actors, the set, and the production as a whole. As studios consider how to protect their work, insurance coverage is an invaluable asset. But what insurance can cover stunts? Many stunt coordinators are turning to DICE insurance to meet their crews’ needs.
It is common for boilerplate film insurance policies to explicitly exclude stunt work, as it poses a greater danger than other types of production activities. However, DICE insurance is a flexible product that offers numerous protection options and is highly customizable. By relying on trusted insurance partners, you can obtain a layer of protection that gives you the confidence to perform your stunts the way you want them.
Essential Takeaways
- DICE insurance is a customizable product that can be a strong fit for film studios, given the difficulty of obtaining stunt coverage.
- Stunt work commonly results in bodily injury, third-party and equipment damage, and production delays, each with financial consequences that can be mitigated by DICE protection.
- When considering a DICE policy, look not only for stunt inclusion but also at the policy limits and how they align with industry minimums (e.g., union requirements).
What Are the Risks of Stunt Work?
Stunt coordinators are exposed to a niche within the film industry that few other teams understand. From broken fingers to the risk of lifelong injury, this field of work is known for its risks, and good insurance should be ready to shoulder the financial side of such danger.
Some of the most common risks involved in stunt work include:
- On-set injuries, e.g., strains, broken bones, cuts
- Third-party liability as a result of injuring other crew members during the stunt or damaging the venue
- Equipment damage from stunts using specialized equipment
- Production delays if a production needs to respond to an injured actor, allowing time to recover
- Permitting requirements dictate that a studio must carry a minimum level of coverage to shoot at a location
These are just some of the risks, but they are often the largest source of financial impact for a studio’s stunt department.
How DICE Insurance Mitigates Stunt-Related Liabilities
DICE insurance is a flexible product, meaning it can be customized to your production’s particular needs. The many types of protection typically included under DICE coverage address not only production-wide risks but also the challenges that can arise from stunt work.
For example, general liability coverage can help address the financial consequences of damaging third-party property (e.g., the venue you are renting as a set) if stunts go wrong and cause damage. Workers’ compensation may cover stunt performers, though some policies require that stunt workers be covered with a rider. Equipment coverage can address the risk of film equipment damage during stunts, and interruption protection can mitigate the financial impact of production delays. At the same time, new talent is found, or the original worker recovers.
Do not forget to consider excess or umbrella inclusions, which can increase coverage limits to accommodate large productions or especially high-risk stunts.
What to Look for in a DICE Policy
DICE policies are flexible. As a result, no two look the same (or at least they should not, because cookie-cutter insurance leaves productions underprotected). As you evaluate your DICE insurance options for your stunt crew, be sure to look for:
- Stunt inclusion: Although DICE insurance is more likely than other types of insurance to include stunts, not all policies do. Always verify that the policy documentation explicitly includes stunt work. Do not assume that ambiguous language about “hazardous activity” is the same as stunts.
- Limits: Depending on the type, scope, and frequency of stunts in your film, you may need a higher insurance limit to address the financial risk adequately. Consider worst-case scenarios to see if you will be adequately covered.
- Compliance: Make sure the policy meets or exceeds the minimum requirements set by the venue, unions, and other parties.
Get the DICE Insurance You Need to Film With Confidence
As you get ready to tackle the stunts for your next film, evaluating your insurance protection is essential. Insufficient coverage could leave the studio on the hook for significant costs related to injury, property damage, and more. The professionals at MFE Insurance work closely with stunt coordinators and are familiar with the specific risks associated with this aspect of the film industry. Contact MFE Insurance to get started on a DICE insurance policy that covers your team the right way.