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Renting red risky?

M

Matt Ballinger

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Hi. I have a question regarding renting a red one camera. First of it seems very risky and expensive. I am looking into renting a red one camera for a music video i am planning on shooting. I went to a rental company to inquire about renting a camera package and was given an intimidating application. There is a lot of information i have been unable to decipher. Basically regarding insurance. Is insurance supposed to cost as much as the rental of the camera pacakge? I called a insurance company recommended to me by the rental house. They ask for general liability loss payee and these other things. So the quote i got was like 1050. Which is practically the cost of the rental package. Is this normal? Forgive my rookie questions.

Also the application itself is pretty intimidating. Stating that the renter is liable for loss or damaged equipment. And that the renter has to compensate the rental house for loss of revenue while awaiting the replacement of equipment. (if i read the application right) Is it just me or is it too great a risk to take to rent a red one camera? Whats the point of getting insurance if you still have to pay a large amount if something goes wrong? What if something bad happens. Is this rental place going to take everything i own to compensate their rental? I barely have enough to afford the rental and insurance. I just feel down now, because i am going to be shooting in a rough area. If its too risky to shoot with a red one camera i might have to stick with my sony ex1 . Safer then being liable for like 80 something thousand worth of equipment.

thanks, and a pleasure of being a member of this forum

M. B
 
The chances that something is going to break if you are careful is pretty damn low. (ever heard a grip say "It's a rental, don't be gentle")
If however you are in a type of place where you could get your gear stolen or robbed then that's a whole different story. In general renting is one of those situations that seems daunting and complicated at first but once you do it a couple of times it's no big deal.
 
honestly.. by your post.. it sounds like your EXPECTING something to happen.. and as a owner.. I would not rent to you.
BUT, insurance will usually cover any cost/loss of profits type of thing that may be on the renters agreement.
$1050 for insurance?? how long are you renting it for?

I pay 1200.00/year for my entire package
 
Any high end equipment (ie, expensive) has to be covered like you have been told. The 1050 number is for a production policy that also covers equipment. Most people have a annual policy that is more cost effective (and just a little bit more). If you are producing videos you should have a policy. If you are working gorilla style with no insurance you are already at risk.

Robert Torrance
Robert Torrance Camera, Inc.
 
1050 for two days seems kind of high. Is there a cheaper insurance for just a short rental?

Zakaree i rented a bike before and it got stolen. I ended up practically paying for a brand new one. So that is why i am cautious.
 
three months insurance costs around 300 usd here.
i suspect the rental company should have a hard time to get money for lost revenue while waiting for replacement.
 
Renting red risky?
Click to expand...

Are you out of your Vulcan mind?

I don't care if you rent a car, bicycles, lenses, or Red One.

You have to make a deposit, insured it or bond it etc...

This leading question is totally unfair.

Would you rent your EX1 to me for $100 so I can take it to the amazon, without paper work and insurance?

It's not a RED problem here.

It's a rental company policy and every company has their own policies.

Michael T.
 
Matt,

Although I'm a huge fan of Red, in your case (ie a 2-day shoot for a music video) I wouldn't bother renting a pro cam like the Red One. I would try to borrow a Canon 550D/7D/5D, or even rent one. It's cheaper and almost noone will see the difference, even projected. I'm talking about a music video audience...
 
In Boston, the major rental house will sell you insurance for 10% of the rental cost if you don't have your own policy. Check out that possibility where you are.
 
Cüneyt Kaya said:
three months insurance costs around 300 usd here.
i suspect the rental company should have a hard time to get money for lost revenue while waiting for replacement.
Click to expand...

Hi,

In most places you would be liable for consequential losses, many rental companies include it in the Terms and conditions. It's one of the reasons cars are often written off when the damage is not that bad.
 
Definitely get insurance, other than a few foolish independent owner/ops, no one will rent to you if you don't have it. $1050 definitely seems high, but it depends on a lot of factors and what coverage you are getting. It strikes me as odd that you say the insurance is almost as much as the rental.

Shop around, look for other insurance providers, get a variety of quotes and options.
 
Matt Ballinger said:
... I called a insurance company recommended to me by the rental house. They ask for general liability loss payee and these other things. So the quote i got was like 1050. Which is practically the cost of the rental package. Is this normal?
Click to expand...

No..not normal. Sounds like the rental house might be getting some
kind of financial kick-back from that insurance company...hence
the sky-high price.

Remember the rental prices aren't written in stone..they're for
the most part totally negotiable. But you need to have some experience
to be able to know how far you can go in getting the price cut
down. Sounds like you should ask around in your area about other
rental companies and prices for equipment and insurance. Find out
how other people are doing it and how much they pay.
But for your music video..someone in the thread recommended use
of a HDSLR and you'd probably be better off going that way.
Even big name acts are going that route. Red's are great for features.
 
Another option, if you can attach a producer who already has and insurance plan for their company so they can supervise the production. Their insurance will cover the rental as long as they are willing to take you on as a risk. Paying his day rate might be cheaper than the high numbers you're hearing from the rental house.

The downside is this 3rd party is going to want to supervise the use of the equipment, and may require you to hire a professional op/ac to be in charge of the gear, and might veto you going into rough areas or doing stupid/dangerous things.
 
As mentioned, get a good insurance package. Production insurance varies by how much liability coverage as well as the blanket of rented equipment. Say you think you'll average 100k valued package that you will rent several times over the year. Which is easy with a camera, lenses, lights, etc.

I don't discuss insurance with the rental houses when I'm calling for needed items, since it's assumed. You work out rates, days, shipping, then have your insurance company fax the insurance certificate to the rental house. It's easy peasy with a good insurance company.
 
Sounds like a normal quote to me for PRODUCTION insurance... which covers a lot more than gear replacement... also provides injury liability for the shoot. shit happens
its a necessary evil.

as for your fear of RED... plain silliness.
 
On the subject of insurance, has anyone ever posted recommendations of companies who provide reasonable insurance for owner/operators? I for one would like to have a short list.
 
Sounds like you might be better off finding an owner/operator.
That way you also get someone who has experience with the Red and knowns the pkg.
 
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