Any film can be challenging to insure due to significant potential risks, from equipment malfunction to data loss, crew injury, and accidental copyright infringement. However, the risks become even more numerous when production must travel to complete the project—especially abroad.
Insurance for feature film production does not necessarily encompass protection for productions outside of the country (or possibly even outside of the state, depending on the policy). To open up the entire world as a possibility for your production, reviewing insurance coverage customized for use in international climates is essential.
Keeping the film crew protected throughout their travel not only attracts top talent thanks to the security offered by an insurance policy but also shields the studio from potentially significant financial and legal challenges.
Here are some essential travel insurance tips for producers to make sure their film crew is covered when shoots extend beyond the studio’s walls.
The Risks Exclusive to Filming Abroad
Filming in foreign countries or even disparate locations within the United States can pose challenges that a film studio is not prepared for. A few of the main risks that need to be addressed include:
- Difficult environment – Unless footage can be captured by drone, some locations require individuals to physically reach the location in order to film—and this is not always easy or safe. Shooting a documentary halfway up Everest or an action scene deep underwater requires crews to place themselves in complex, unpredictable environments that increase the risk of injury and even death.
- Health risks – Many countries are home to diseases, parasites, and other ailments that a film crew might not have encountered before. Even with preparatory vaccinations, crews can contract illnesses such as Dengue fever, malaria, and botfly infestations—among hundreds of others—during their time abroad. Sick crews may cause business interruptions and incur healthcare fees that were not part of the original budget.
- Equipment insecurity – Equipment is at much higher risk during travel than at a home studio. From damage during transport to theft on-site in another country, film equipment is vulnerable, and so is the production if an irreplaceable piece is lost. Damage to certain electronics could even mean loss of film data and could be catastrophic for a production.
- Political unrest – Depending on where the production is shooting, the team may need to contend with political turmoil, gang violence, and more. The risk of injury increases, and teams may even need to consider the threat of abduction or vehicle theft.
These are just a few of the many potential risks that a production may face. Depending on the location of the shoot, numerous other factors may also make production more challenging or place the crew at risk. In general, a few types of insurance will be non-negotiable when producers and their teams travel.
Foreign Production Insurance
The overarching umbrella of travel protection comes from foreign production insurance. This type of coverage addresses many of the basic needs that films may face abroad, including:
Property (props, rented stage tools, rented vehicles, etc.)- Production equipment
- Film (negatives, stock, and other media)
- Property damage (often called “location insurance”)
Travel Accident Insurance
Travel accident insurance applies while the crew is in transit to their shoot location—which is a prime time for things to go wrong. From crew risks such as injury or death during transit (such as in a vehicle accident) to flight mishaps, emergency evacuations in another country, and more, travel accident coverage addresses the many risks inherent in moving the crew and their equipment long distances to the next shooting location.
Workers’ Compensation Insurance
Any production should have workers’ compensation (in fact, most productions are mandated to do so to secure venue partnerships). However, always check the policy to see if coverage extends to work abroad. In many instances, workers’ compensation insurance will need to be expanded to address the increased risk that the crew faces in a foreign country.
Expansions may include additional protections for illnesses and diseases common in the target country or a higher coverage limit to address other risks, such as gun violence.
Protect Your Film Crew With Travel Insurance
A film can be greatly enriched by showcasing the assorted climates, cultures, architecture, and other features of communities across the globe. However, with all the travel required to accomplish these shoots, the risks increase. Producers should strive to make sure their film crew is covered with multiple types of travel insurance protection.
The professionals at MFE Insurance can provide customized insurance guidance so your team leaves no activities up to chance. Contact MFE Insurance to discuss the coverage that is right for your production.