insurance claim?

[Shapour Daneshmand]

choosing an insurance company has become a real confusion for me.
i think the real criteria really ends up to be how good they respond to a claim.
could any one who had a claim with an insurance company share their experience.
thank you in advance for taking the time.

 

[Shapour Daneshmand]

Reserved for future posts

 

[Michael Brennan]

Following is based on experience in the UK so your milage may vary according to country.
Resolution of a claim is down to having a clear understanding between you and the broker when you take out the policy.


Insurance 101
Regardless of the insurer it is up to you to fully understand what you are paying for and what they are offering.
This is particularly important if you are shooting docs or low budget narrative.
Include any regular high risk activities in your job description, without being dramatic and drawing attention!
If you need to call them to check your coverage for a particular job, don't make it easy for them to hit you with an increased premium, down play it as much as possible. for instance, by asking "Im checking to see if Im covered for working off the back of a fishing boat" rather than "Im really worried my kit is going to fall in the water"

Ensure policy exclusions and definitions are well defined, even though they may seem to have an obvious definition.

For instance
In respect to leaving kit in a vehicle, when is a vehicle "attended" and when is it "unattended"?
In the Uk an "unattended vehicle" is one where there is no physical presence of a crew member to deter a theft.
So if you are munching a bagel in a cafe with your van parked directly outside and there is a smash and grab under your nose you may not be insured.


What is the definition of "in your care"? We've all seen a willing porter underestimate the weight and slippery-ness of our cases and come to grief portering them from the sidewalk into the hotel or airport. Is the equipment "in your care" at this time or will the insurer say it was in the hotels care?

Who is "suitably qualified or experienced"? Are you covered if a willing producer director or intern breaks camera kit? If an intern is not insured then make sure the production team have to cover you. There is also an argument

Will they cover your kit if you crash your camera van after having worked outside of "health and safety guidelines" i.e. a maximum 18 hour day?

What is their definition of "properly packed"? 2 inches of high density foam? What about a soft sided camera running bag?

In respect to your equipment being borrowed by a mate, ensure that cover includes the kit leaving your care without a contract. (often it is best to make a contract with a mate anyway)

If you are renting out your kit, make sure they are happy with your rental contracts and paper trail.

What is their definition of "in-transit"...some companies won't insure kit if is being couriered and not in your care? So once a bag is tagged and dropped at checkin at the airport is it still in your care?

Are you covered "airside" working "on or near water " or working with the military. "Military manoeuvres" are sometimes an exclusion and this can include peace time training for the local reserve.


In respect to being covered by someone else's policy for a particular job, lets say aerial work, it is paramount that you are named on their policy, so you can deal directly with the insurance company in the event of an accident, rather than the holder of the policy.

In summary
Is the insurer aware of the circumstances of the risks.
Who is insured?
What is insured?
What value?
Have you taken reasonable precautions to protect the equipment?

If you are planning to embark on a particularly unusual shoot call them up to agree what risk mitigation you can do to ensure the kit remains covered.
Teach production that some locations and environments demand special insurance that they have to pay an extra premium. I've found that it is easier to argue the need for personal safety kit, extra personnel ect if production if they have already learnt that the circumstances of the shoot are such that kit won't be insured without an extra premium.

Also consider writing in your contract with production that if you suffer a claim because a member of production dropped or lost an item that production are liable for your insurance excess. Also make it clear in your contract of the circumstances where the equipment is not covered at all. You should not have to pay if a production assistant forgets to lock your car and kit is stolen, circumstances where your insurance company will not pay.


In respect to high end docs, I regard insurers as key facilitators, especially helpful to underwrite us in our day to day activities and also assisting us to achieve interesting innovative or risky shots in unusual or potentially hazardous environments. Some of the planning of the risky doc shots I have done have started with a conversation with my insurer, then I go to production with the complete game plan.




Mike Brennan