This is a precis of all the covers on offer however not all production houses or personnel within the industry would require all the covers on offer. FIUA is available to discuss your requirements.

This class of cover, also known as Cast insurance, provides for the increased costs incurred due to the death, injury or illness of nominated personnel. Ascertaining whom to insure can, in some instances, prove to be extremely difficult; as a basic guideline the production company should only insure those personnel who are integral to the completion/continuation of the production. Obviously in most cases the director is the most integral and, invariably, the Director is always insured under this policy, together with lead artistes.

Other key personnel can be a Narrator, Director of Photography, Producer, Animators and in some cases hero animals. If the shoot is occurring overseas then often several other members of the crew would be insured on the basis that they would not be easily replaced.

Coverage is usually taken out for Pre-Production and Shoot however in some instances may be taken out for the Post-Production period. Usually the Director is insured for the longest period being from the first day of pre-production and in many cases, because of their continuing involvement in the production, cover is maintained to the end of post-production. Artistes may be involved in post-production for voiceovers and pickup shots.

It should always be remembered that FIUA will require a medical examination to be completed before affording the nominated person with any form of illness cover. There are extensions to the standard cover which are available upon request such as bereavement and essential elements. These areas can be discussed in greater detail with FIUA.

Cover may be effected for individual productions or on an annual basis if required.

Cover is provided for the increased costs incurred due to loss of, or damage to the negative, and includes the risks of faulty stock, camera and processing. Coverage would normally commence one week prior to shoot and will cease at the end of post-production.
With constantly changing technology it is important that FIUA is advised what systems and formats will be utilised on the production in order that the most adequate cover is provided for the applicable production.

Cover may be effected for individual productions or on an annual basis if required.

This particular cover is basically split into three sections:

• props, sets and wardrobe,
• office contents,
• cameras, lighting and electrical equipment.

It should be remembered that the sum insured on each of these sections must represent the full value.

For production specific insurance it must be established before the commencement of the shoot as to whether items owned by specific crew members are covered by the production or by the owner who is hiring them to the company. If the crew member is providing insurance cover then the applicable contract should reflect same.

Annual insurance
FIUA has since its inception insured the majority of the major equipment suppliers throughout Australia and New Zealand. Cover on this basis can be arranged for all owners and / or hirers of equipment no matter the value of the equipment to be insured. The policy offered is extremely flexible and cover may be arranged on a world wide basis if so required.

Cover may be effected for individual productions or on an annual basis if required.

This section provides cover to the production company for the increased costs incurred by loss of or damage to props, sets and / or facilities.

Whilst it may be difficult selecting the sum insured for this cover it should reflect the maximum exposure that the production company believes could be incurred. The basic area to consider under this cover is that it is not necessarily covering only those items which are insured under the Multi-Risks cover such as props, sets and wardrobe. If the production is being shot in a studio then the studio is considered to be a facility. If the studio were to be destroyed by fire then the production company would obviously incur increased costs in moving to another studio or location.

Cover should be extended to include mechanical / electrical breakdown.

Cover may be effected for individual productions or on an annual basis if required.

The policy covers the production company for claims made against it by third parties for acts of negligence resulting in property damage or injury or death to persons, other than employees of the production company.

The cover extends to include loss of use, which is usually of great interest to production companies in that it provides cover for items such as cameras, where the hiring company maintains a weekly rental charge whilst a damaged camera is being repaired. This, of course, could result in large additional costs being incurred.

Cover can be obtained for limits between $1,000,000 and $20,000,000 although most councils and Government authorities are requesting $20,000,000. On occasions limits in excess of $20,000,000 may be demanded.

Cover may be effected for individual productions or on an annual basis if required.

This cover includes money or negotiable instruments in the care, custody or control of the Insured and / or authorised personnel. The sum insured should be the maximum at risk at any one time. It will exclude theft by employees.

Cover may be effected for individual productions or on an annual basis if required.

Also known as Motion Picture Producers’ Liability, this cover provides indemnity for suits brought against the producer and / or production company in respect of libel, slander, defamation, plagiarism, breach of copyright, invasion of privacy or theft of rights. The cover includes defence costs within the indemnity limit and is usually worldwide. The policy will state a limit on any one claim as well as in the aggregate of all claims. A cover of three years is standard.

To satisfy US requirements, in most cases, the sum insured would be $1,500,000 AUD on any one claim / $4,500,000 AUD in aggregate however, with fluctuation in exchange rates these limits may vary. Many production companies effect cover for $2,000,000 AUD on any one claim / $6,000,000 AUD in aggregate.

A fully completed and acceptable Proposal Form is required prior to the inception of any cover. This would include the Insureds solicitor to review and approve the relevant clearance procedures. The title clearance should be obtained as soon as possible to ascertain that the title is available – it may be too late when the Production has been completed.