Production Insurance actually encompasses multiple
policies. These can include General Liability, Inland Marine, Hired/Non-Owned
Auto Liability, and Work Comp.
Today I am going to focus on the relationship between
Inland Marine and Hired / Non-Owned Auto Liability (HNOA), specifically damage
to vehicles and rented locations.
HNOA provides for liability to damage caused by you – the
insured – against another’s property – for example an auto accident. So can you
assume the same will hold true if you hit one of your Hired Autos with another?
No, not unless you have Hired/Non-Owned Auto Physical Damage coverage. Most
assume that because both vehicles are property of others it should be, but once
those vehicles are in your care, custody, and control it is no longer
considered someone else’s property.
The same can be applied to locations. If you drive your hired
auto into a building on the main street (that has no relation to the shoot),
damage to that building is covered under your HNOA policy. But what if you
accidently drive it into the location you are filming at? There will be no
coverage for that location unless you have Third Party Property Damage (aka
location insurance). This is for the very same reason as the paragraph above –
the location is in your care, custody, and control.
While these are two examples, there are enough to fill a
small book. It is for this reason that you want to explore all potential
options when contacting your broker for a Production Insurance quote. If you
don’t have a full understanding of all the caveat’s you run the risk of a major
financial loss.
And above else, pay close attention to the term Care,
Custody, and Control, as that plays a huge and often overlooked part in whether
a claim is paid.
Few people take the time to read their policies but I can’t
stress enough how important it is to do so. Highlight anything you don’t
understand and ask your broker for an explanation. You may well find there is
additional coverage you’ll want to add – before it’s too late.
Greg @ zeboray.com
