I’m developing a series of films for use by law enforcement trainers to use for police officer suicide prevention and ethics training. Since I’m a filmmaker and not a law enforcement professional, I’ve been working with trainers to develop the series. But because law enforcement training isn’t my area of expertise, I haven’t been able to find an insurance company who will quote a professional liability policy to cover me. Has anyone else encountered this type of situation? If you’re involved with training film production, or if you have expertise in this area, I would truly appreciate any advice you can offer. More details about the project are on my website at: www.lawenforcementfilmseries.com.
Producing : Insurance/Liability Dilemma by Jay Pulk
Other topics in Producing:
Check out Trending Discussions
Register / Log In
Try and see if they have a line item in the (town? city?) budget for shooting this. It may be that the municipality can find insurance through their budget if there is a back end monetary reward to show for it down the road.
The project isn't being funded by a municipality. If it was, I might be able to approach the insurance in that way. At this point, the issue isn't paying for insurance, it's about qualifying for a policy. I'm open to working with another company or government agency if that's the best way to get the series made, but so far I haven't had much success in that arena.
Have you contacted a broker. They can normally give the best advice and approach a number of insurers for a quotation. You can normally get a over lap policy which would provide cover. Im an insurance underwriter and that would be your best option. You will have to pay a commission but they should be able to find something for you.
Thanks Amy, I've talked with many agents and underwriters, but you're the first person to suggest a broker. Is there someone that you can recommend?
This company does the same thing. Not sure if they will talk to you (competition), but they would be a good resource http://www.virtra.com/
If the project is for training law enforcement...Have you gone to them to see if they have a policy or program for this? Maybe the insurance company will approve if they know you have their support.
Thanks Debbie, but Virtra does what law enforcement (LE) trainers call scenario-based training. It's designed to immerse students in live-action scenarios. The project that I'm developing uses a series of short films, along with directed study by a LE professional. I haven't had much success finding companies who create video training content for LE.
True! Maybe though if you reach out to them, they may be able to assist you with your question - not 100% sure - just a thought. They might have resources. I am wondering why this would not be covered under normal insurance/bonding? I thought they may charge an additional fee. Usually all insurance and bonding you can get for the right price. Good luck to you! Its a great program!
PS I liked your page on FB and followed it on Twitter! :)
Michael, The trainers that I've talked with are eager to use the series in their training. But because the film series is a unique approach to the material, none of the insurance companies that I've talked with so far know how to write a policy.
Debbie, If I was an experienced LE trainer, I could probably get a professional policy to cover me. Even though I'm working with several LE training professionals, that issue seems to be part of the problem. I'll try contacting a broker as Amy suggested. Maybe they'll know more than the agents I've talked with so far.
1 person likes this
did you try waivers depending on unsafe on their life....some of the fighters we film at actual events there also statements concerning life threatening conditions depending on the bounty(fight) they waive certain rights to compete years ago we had a scene at a funeral and during the shot where he is just standing pointing out traffic he was clipped by a car his personal injury policy covered, why it was stated in contract as a personal side job if he was an officer as a security side job, dangerous of course or could be at the bank and sromething happeened both insurance policies come into place primary then the secondary on company coveres one and the other insurance and even a third their personal injury they can right it just a thought we use the police a lot our music events/flm they all signed as personal side job of security rob autry
Rob, The problem isn't with getting a production policy for filming, it's getting a professional policy for the use of the series. Maybe I should have made that more clear in my original post. If this was a training film about making puppets or something, I wouldn't see much issue with liability. But if the series is used for suicide prevention training, there is more of a potential for liability problems if someone misuses the product, or if something is missed somewhere.