WHAT INSURANCE SHOULD YOU REQUIRE FROM PRODUCTION?
If a film, commercial, photo shoot, music video or other production wants to use your property, one of the most important things to confirm before the crew arrives is production insurance.
Professional productions typically carry insurance designed to cover risks associated with filming, equipment, crew, vehicles and the locations they use.
As a property owner, you don't need to become an insurance expert—but you should know what to ask for and what to look for.
START WITH A CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE
Property owners commonly request a Certificate of Insurance, usually referred to as a COI, before allowing a production onto their property.
A COI provides evidence of the production's insurance coverage and typically identifies:
The insured production company
Insurance carrier
Types of coverage
Policy numbers
Policy effective dates
Coverage limits
Certificate holder
Additional insured information, when applicable
The production company or its insurance broker can usually provide the certificate.
WHAT TYPE OF INSURANCE SHOULD A PRODUCTION HAVE?
Insurance needs vary depending on the size and nature of the production, but property owners may encounter several common types of coverage.
GENERAL LIABILITY
Commercial general liability is one of the primary coverages to look for when a production is filming on private property.
It generally addresses certain claims involving bodily injury or property damage arising from the production's operations.
The appropriate limits depend on the production and property. Rather than assuming a specific amount is appropriate for every shoot, ask the production for its standard coverage and discuss any requirements with your own insurance agent or attorney when necessary.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Productions with employees or crew may carry workers' compensation coverage as required by applicable law.
Tennessee workers' compensation requirements depend on factors including the type of business and number of employees. Current information is available from the Tennessee Bureau of Workers' Compensation.
AUTOMOBILE LIABILITY
If production vehicles will be operating on or around the property, the production may also carry commercial automobile liability coverage.
This can be particularly relevant when a shoot involves production vans, passenger vehicles, equipment trucks, motorhomes or other production transportation.
EQUIPMENT + PROPERTY COVERAGE
Productions may carry additional coverage for rented equipment, props, sets and other production property.
The exact insurance package will depend heavily on the size and type of production.
WHAT DOES "ADDITIONAL INSURED" MEAN?
Property owners are often asked—or may request—to be listed as an additional insured on certain production insurance policies for activities related to the shoot.
This is different from simply being listed as the certificate holder on a COI.
Being a certificate holder generally means you receive evidence that the policy exists. Additional insured status can provide certain coverage rights under the policy, subject to the policy terms and endorsement.
If additional insured status is required, make sure the production's insurance broker knows the exact legal name of the person or entity that needs to be listed.
If you're unsure what protection you need, ask your insurance agent or attorney rather than relying solely on the certificate itself.
WHAT SHOULD YOU CHECK ON THE COI?
When you receive a Certificate of Insurance, don't just save it to your inbox and assume you're covered.
Check that:
The production company's name is correct
The policy dates include your shoot dates
The property or appropriate entity is correctly identified
Requested insurance coverage is shown
Coverage limits meet any requirements you've established
Any requested additional insured language or endorsement has been provided
If something looks incorrect, ask the production to have its insurance broker revise the certificate.
DOES A COI MEAN EVERYTHING IS COVERED?
No.
A Certificate of Insurance is evidence of insurance; it is not the insurance policy itself, and it doesn't guarantee that every possible incident at your property will be covered.
Coverage depends on the actual policy, endorsements, exclusions and circumstances surrounding a claim.
For that reason, owners of high-value, unusual or commercially operated properties may want their own insurance professional or attorney to review production insurance requirements.
General information about insurance regulation in Tennessee is available through the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance.
WHAT ABOUT SMALL PHOTO SHOOTS OR CONTENT PRODUCTIONS?
Not every inquiry will come from a large commercial production company.
You may hear from independent photographers, small production companies, influencers, student filmmakers, music video productions or content creators.
Don't assume a smaller crew means insurance isn't necessary.
Even a five-person photo shoot can involve lighting equipment, stands, cables, furniture movement and people working throughout a property.
If someone wants to commercially film or photograph your property but cannot provide proof of appropriate insurance, that's worth discussing before you agree to the shoot.
SHOULD YOU RELY ON YOUR HOMEOWNER'S OR BUSINESS INSURANCE?
Don't assume your existing homeowner's, landlord or commercial property insurance will automatically cover activities associated with a professional production.
Policies vary significantly, and commercial filming may be treated differently from ordinary residential or business activity.
If you regularly rent your property for film or photography productions, speak with your insurance provider about how your policy treats commercial production activity.
INSURANCE SHOULD BE HANDLED BEFORE THE SHOOT
Insurance is something to resolve before production arrives, not after an accident happens.
Ask for the COI early enough that you have time to review it, request corrections and clarify any questions.
Insurance requirements can also be documented in your location agreement. If you're new to production paperwork, read What Is a Location Release? and review our Sample Location Release for an overview of other terms commonly addressed before filming.
THE BOTTOM LINE
At minimum, property owners should have a conversation with the production about insurance and request evidence of appropriate coverage before granting access to the property.
For many professional shoots, that starts with commercial general liability insurance and a Certificate of Insurance, with additional coverage depending on the production's crew, vehicles, equipment and activities.
When the property, production activity or potential risk is significant, your own insurance agent or attorney is the best person to determine exactly what coverage and limits you should require.
Nashville Location Company provides location scouting, location management and location consulting for film, photography and commercial productions throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee.