The short answer to this question is an obvious YES.
Film producers know that even with the best safety measures in place, accidents on the set can happen, If an employee gets hurt during production, your film company can be held responsible. Workers’ Compensation Insurance protects you and your film company from medical expenses, and lost wages of employees and actors hurt on the job.
California Film Companies Must Carry Workers’ Compensation Insurance
California law requires that all employers carry Workers’ Compensation insurance, even if they have only one employee. Workers’ Compensation for the film industry covers essential benefits for workers hurt on the set.
- Cost for Medical Treatment
- Temporary Disability Payments
- Permanent Disability Benefits
- Supplemental Wages
- Death Benefits
According to the California Department of Consumer Affairs, if your film company is based outside of California, but you plan to shoot inside the state, you can file for exemption as long as you do not hire California employees. However, you must provide a certificate of Workers’ Compensation insurance from a carrier in your home state.
Failing to have workers’ comp insurance in the state of California can result in one or all of the following:
- Up to one year in jail.
- A minimum penalty of $10,000
- State fines as high as $100,000
Even if there is not an accident, you can be charged if you cannot show evidence of coverage.
How to Limit the Number of Workers’ Comp Claims
Even though your Workers’ Comp insurance exists to protect your film company from injury claims, accidents can still cost you money. Insurance companies charge higher rates to those film companies with more claims. If your production company has been claims-free for a significant amount of time, then you could receive a discount.
To reduce the number of claims, make sure you train your employees in safety protocol.
Where to Purchase Workers’ Compensation Insurance for Film Companies
For more information on production insurance in California, 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, or Workers’ Comp Insurance, you can rely on their quick and knowledgeable assistance to meet all of your production insurance needs.
