Foreign Locations and Film Insurance Explained (Outside US & Canada)

Foreign Film Insurance Coverages

Insuring Films with International Locations

When production activities occur outside of the US or Canada, there may be additional insurance coverages that are either mandatory or that should be considered. Requirements and recommendations will vary depending on the country in question and the type of activity occurring there. A list of some of the most commonly purchased coverages outside of the US or Canada are as follows:

• Foreign Voluntary Workers Compensation
• US Auto Liability
• Foreign Difference in Conditions/Excess Auto Liability Insurance
• Out-of-Country Medical Insurance (if Canadian, you'll require out-of-country medical in the US)
• Locally Admitted Foreign Liability Insurance
• Political Risk/War Risk Insurance
• Civil Commotion/Riot Insurance
• Weather Insurance
• Kidnap & Ransom Insurance

Due to overseas jurisdictions, frequently “local” policies are required. Obtaining local coverage will often require that you have a production company setup in this local country or be partnered with a location production company.

Production coverage, offered under a production package policy is written on a worldwide basis; however, filming in foreign locations often presents special hazards that must be underwritten separately.

Foreign Package coverage is available in the U.S., which provides you with the following coverages:

• Foreign contingent liability coverage: General Liability coverage is provided on a contingent basis (providing coverage over local primary coverage).
  
  
• Foreign contingent non-owned & hired auto coverage: Non-owned & hired auto coverage (for rented vehicles) is provided on a contingent basis (providing coverage over local primary coverage).
  
  
• Foreign workers’ compensation/employers liability insurance: Provided for U.S. hires (with state of hire benefits) and third country nationals (with country of origin benefits).  Local nationals are not covered under this program; they must place coverage locally in accordance with their country’s workers’ compensation regulations/system.

If you are a signatory to any of the guilds, you will need to obtain Guild Travel Accident coverage as required by the various guilds.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment coverage is available and will provide benefits in the event of a fatal accident or an accident resulting in the loss of a limb or eyesight.

Kidnap & Ransom coverage is also available to you and should be considered to protect against potential kidnappings, extortion, wrongful detention and hijacking.

To obtain coverage a no-obligation insurance quote for your project, please click on one of the links below:

Film Production Package for a single production: features, television series, documentaries, and more.

    A convenient way of administering your insurance if you anticipate multiple productions in the next twelve months. This type of policy covers Documentaries, Corporate Videos, Commercials, Educational Films, Music Videos, Shorts, and more.