Blog Archives

Making the Move from Actor to Producer

October 15, 2025 by Luke Gelineau

Many actors have moved from in front of the camera to behind the scenes. In fact…

Did You Know? As far back as 1900, Mary Pickford not only produced films, she also co-founded United Artists Studio!

Success for crossover artists depend on a number of things. It goes without saying that individuals pursuing a desire to change need creativity and creative inspiration. They also need strong knowledge of the business side of things.

And this includes film insurance.

Errors and Omissions Insurance

For instance, an actor who wants to produce their own films would benefit from errors and omissions insurance. For a small investment, they are safe from unintentional copyright infringement and misinformation.

Movie producers are not the only ones who should consider Errors and Omissions Insurance. This type of coverage is appropriate for all kinds of productions. Any project that relies on a written script should have Errors and Omissions Insurance as a supplement to their general liability policy:

Movies
Documentaries
Short Films
Videos & Verticals
Marketing Videos and Commercials
Radio
Theater
Television

Keep in mind that you must get Producer Errors and Omissions Insurance BEFORE distribution. You cannot obtain coverage if you are already facing litigation.

The Difference between E&O and General Liability

General liability insurance covers damage to a third-party or their property but does not cover less tangible things like libel or copyright infringement.

You need to add Errors and Omissions to protect against the following:

Infringement of Copyright
Invasion of Privacy
Infringement of Trademark, Slogan, or Title
Plagiarism
Defamation of Products
Libel or Slander

Your Errors and Omissions policy will cover the business owner, employees, and subcontractors. Each policy is industry specific. In other words, a film producer will need a different type of policy than a distributor.

Luke Gelineau

For more information on production insurance, contact Equipment & Production Insurance. The team at Equipment and Production Insurance are film, photographic & entertainment industry insurance specialists. Whether you need short-term, annual, post, documentary, commercial, equipment, rental house, E&O, or rent your own insurance, you can rely on their quick and knowledgeable assistance to meet all of your production insurance needs.

Going Freelance With Your Filmmaking Business

September 27, 2025 by Luke Gelineau

Becoming a full-time freelance filmmaker (say that five times real fast!) can be intimidating. Since your ability to pay your bills hangs solely on the success of your filmmaking business, it might not be the best idea to just jump in and hope for the best. There are factors to consider and precautions you can take.

What should you do before going full-time with your filmmaking business?

Going freelance with a filmmaking business requires a strong network, specialized skills, a polished portfolio, and business acumen. Key steps include developing a specific skill set, building a professional network, creating a strong portfolio with personal projects, and learning to manage client relationships and finances. Start by honing a specific skill, building a portfolio through personal projects or initial gigs, and actively networking through online platforms and direct outreach.

Consider these two options before becoming a freelance filmmaker.

Look for Part-Time Work

Just because you’re going freelance doesn’t mean you have to be entirely self-reliant. Consider building yourself a cushion by performing a small amount of monthly work for another company. This could involve graphic design, video editing, etc. Agree on a weekly or monthly price. This allows for a “rent safety net” while you are in the process of building up your personal business.

Many people believe that freelancing keeps you from working anywhere else or answering to another employer; however, there is no harm in performing a little part-time work while you are taking steps toward expanding your filmmaking career. Working for another company also lends credibility to your work and opens the door for reviews and recommendations.

Expand Your Skill-Set

Every freelancer has their “niche” or a skill that they have mastered. However, potential clients will find you much more credible if you have a wide array of basic skills. A good area to obtain a general understanding of is motion graphic design.

Think of it this way: a restaurant that makes really good burgers, but nothing else, appeals to a burger lover. However, if the burger lover has a wife who is in the mood for chicken, they will likely go to a restaurant that serves both. Skill-sets in filmmaking work the same way. Potential clients may need several services, but if you are only proficient in one, they will not be as inclined to hire you.

Do You Need Production Insurance as a Freelance Filmmaker?

The short answer is “YES.” Since you are self-employed, you are responsible for insuring your own equipment. Additionally, since freelance filmmaking equipment falls under “business” and not “hobby,” homeowner’s insurance will not cover it should something happen to it. It is extremely important that you invest in production insurance so that you don’t find yourself in the hole if something goes haywire.

Here at Equipment and Production Insurance, we want to help your business succeed. If you have any questions regarding the type of insurance needed to become a freelance filmmaker, do not hesitate to call us today!

Luke Gelineau

What is Vertical Production Series Insurance?

September 15, 2025 by Luke Gelineau

What Is a Vertical Production (and Why Does It Need Special Insurance)?
Imagine you’re holding your phone like you always do – straight up and down. That is referred to as “Vertical Mode.”

Now… picture a movie, TV show, or short video that fills the whole screen perfectly in that upright position, without you having to turn your phone sideways. That’s what Vertical Production is all about!

So, instead of filming the traditional “wide” way, Vertical Production uses a different aspect ratio, which means basically flipping the frame so it’s tall instead of wide. This format matches the way people naturally hold their phones, known as “portrait mode.”

Learn more about this important topic by visiting our Vertical Production page – click here!

Here at Equipment and Production Insurance, you can count on us to give you the honest answers and quick service for all of your production insurance needs. We want to help you see your business succeed. Contact Us Today with any questions you have, and let us help you choose the insurance that is right for you!

Luke Gelineau

Equipment and Production Insurance

Office Will Be Closed in Honor of Labor Day

August 27, 2025 by Luke Gelineau

In honor, celebration and observance of the achievements of our workers and their dedication to our company, our offices will be closed on Monday, September 1st, and will reopen on Tuesday, September 2nd. Feel free to Contact Online if you require assistance.

Wishing you a very Happy Labor Day! Your continued patronage and support empowers us to innovate and deliver excellence. Have a great holiday weekend and enjoy!

Sincerely,

Your Friends at Insured Production / United Agencies Insurance

The Process for Filing an Insurance Claim

August 5, 2025 by Luke Gelineau

I’ve been blogging about production insurance for a long time, and I can talk about insurance premiums and coverage types until I’m blue in the face. At the end of the day, the insurance claim is where the rubber meets the road. It’s the part of an insurance policy that nobody wants to talk about, but it’s obviously the only reason that insurance exists in the first place!

What if something goes wrong or somebody gets hurt? What if you damage some production equipment or it gets stolen? You would need to file an insurance claim, so let’s talk about how we do that.

Submitting an Insurance Claim Does Not Admit Fault

The most important part about filing an insurance claim is to remember one thing – You are NOT admitting guilt when you file a claim.

I have clients tell me all the time that something happened on set, but it’s not their fault. They don’t feel they should file the claim. They want to wait around for the other party to handle it. I understand this thought process. However, all that you are doing when you file a claim is alerting your insurance company that there has been an issue. We can tell them when we submit it that you weren’t at fault and they will go after the at-fault party directly. They will understand. It’s their job to fight for you and your company. They want to make sure you get treated fairly, so why not let them know as soon as possible so they can join the process early on?

Keep Your Documents

Once you report the claim, you will have to answer quite a few questions from the adjuster. They will want to see your records.

Proofs of Purchase
Receipts
Pictures
Invoices
Police Reports
Medical Bills
Any Other Documentation on File

If it is a claim for damage to rented equipment, they are going to ask to see a copy of the certificate of insurance and a rental contract. Make sure you keep all of this stuff on file somewhere, because you never know who’s going to need it!

Once the insurance company has all of the information they need, they start investigating the incident to determine who was at fault and who gets paid. This process can sometimes take a while. It could take around 30 days from first notice to final payout. Some claims even last longer if it turns into a protracted legal battle. Nobody enjoys handling insurance claims. They are almost never easy, and they usually take longer than you want, but it’s the most important part of an insurance policy, so we all want to make sure it gets handled correctly.

Remember that you should never be ashamed or bashful to report an incident to your insurance agent. Keep in mind that it’s one of your responsibilities as the insured to report claims to your agent promptly. If you are filing a report on something that happened a few months ago, it might be difficult for us to explain the tardiness to the insurance company.

It’s my goal as an insurance agent to make the claims process as quick and painless as possible. If you need more information on film production insurance, check out Important Information on Insurance for Film Equipment Rental Houses.