Every production company (Italian or foreign) must take out an insurance policy covering the risks inherent to filming in Italian soil.
If you have an insurance policy from your country of origin, you must make sure that it covers filming in Italy.
Being film insurance a highly specialized sector, it is advisable to enlist the services of an insurance company specializing in cinema or television production; please see the list of insurance companies on the directory section of the guide.
Following is the principal insurance coverage pertaining to the entertainment sector, with particular regard to film production:
1) Civil liability risks
Civil liability includes risks which are the responsibility of the policyholder in case of damage caused to a third party through personnel engaged or equipment used during a shoot. The production company, whether Italian or foreign, must hold civil liability for itself and for third parties in case of an accident:
- through a policy taken out in the country of origin, provided it is also valid in Italy, or
- through a Italian insurance company, notably in the case of a co-production.
Civil liability insurance should be taken out from the beginning of preparation straight through to the end of post-production.
Generally this coverage (along with contact details of your insurance company) is requested by Municipalities or other Public Entities for street or public location shooting, for filming which requires the issuance of a permit, to hire equipment and to use film studios.
2) Work stoppage (Cast)
Guarantees reimbursement of the major expenses incurred to complete filming, or, should filming be abandoned altogether, reimbursement of expenses sustained when insured actors or directors are unable to initiate, continue or complete their performance due to accident, illness or death.
3) Damage to film negatives or magnetic tapes
Covers all risks of loss, damage or total destruction of film negatives, computer generated images or sounds, videotapes or sound-tracks, assuring reimbursement of the major costs (or of various expenses in the case of abandonment of the project) incurred to film or record against the lost or damaged material.
4) Faulty stock and mechanical defects
Assures reimbursement of the major costs incurred to duplicate filming or recording of material lost or damaged due to faulty stock, defective processing or equipment malfunctions.
5) Construction, furnishings and props
Insures all goods belonging to the insured or to third parties on an “all-risks” basis, in any part of the world, while being used, or waiting to be used, in the insured production project.
6) Extra expenses or technical stoppage
Covers all additional expenses required to complete filming following damages or total destruction of production material and equipment, including breakage of generators and cameras.
7) Miscellaneous equipment
Insures all technical equipment owned or rented by the insured, such as cameras, lighting equipment, sound equipment, etc., on an “all-risks” basis all over the world. Coverage may include damages to rental cars used by production staff.
8) Third party property damage
Covers the loss, physical damage or destruction of goods belonging to third parties, including the loss of use of said goods when they are entrusted in the insured’s care and control.
9) Office contents
Covers all working implements, including office equipment, furniture, fixtures and improvements against loss, damages or destruction.
10) Errors and omissions
Protects the Production against possible legal actions for:
- a) Invasion of privacy
- b) Defamation in all forms, ridicule.
- c) Copyright infringement
- d) Unauthorized use of names, trade-marks, titles, formats, ideas, characters, names of characters, characterizations, layouts and drawings, musical compositions shows, slogans, etc.
- e) Contract infringements following the examination of any literary, dramatic, or musical work, or breach of the trust and confidential nature of such examination.
11) Employer’s Liability
Covers the liability of the Production in case of accidents at work due to negligence by the Producers or the people responsible for safety control.
12) Automobile liability
In addition to the mandatory “Civil Liability”, this insurance can also cover the Production’s liability for damages caused by its employees with personally owned vehicles used in connection with their work. Fire, theft and collision coverages can be included.
13) Accidents (Crew and Actors)
Covers work-related accidents in accordance with requirements equal to or exceeding those established by National Labor Contracts for the same category of workers, or in accordance with individual bargaining agreements in the case of actors and professional workers. Death, permanent disability, temporary disability, and accident-related medical expenses are covered.
14) Transportation (air/land/sea)
Covers all risks related to the transportation of goods by air, land or sea, when such risks are not covered by existing policies or when this type of coverage is not available.
15) Animal mortality
Covers the loss of or injuries to animals being used for filming. Coverage can be supplied for death, illness, or ( with limitations ) accidents. It can be also extended to cover higher costs sustained to continue filming after accidents, illness or death incurred by animals.
16) Completion bond
Protects backers against the risk of expenses exceeding the approved production budget and guarantees delivery of the finished product in accordance with the terms and specifications set forth in the financing and distribution contract, as well as in other related agreements. Due to the specific nature of its modes of finance, domestically-financed Italian films rarely engage completion bonds. Completion bonds are, however, often used by international productions shooting in Italy.
17) Property insurance
Covers building and structures owned by the insured or by third parties against specified risks, such as lightning, fire, tornadoes, explosions, etc.; or against direct physical damages, according to specific limitations and exclusions.
18) Weather insurance
Covers the higher production costs sustained for the completion of filming activities interrupted or postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions. It is possible to obtain insurance covering the risk of specific conditions, such as lack of rainfall, insufficient natural light, clear skies, exceedingly brilliant sun, absence of wind, etc.
The following insurance coverage is also available:
Personal Insurance:
All forms of coverage for personal insurance.
Insurance against unexpected occurrences:
This is the coverage for any type of performance, special event, or gathering which may be subject to cancellation, no-show by performers, walk-out or interruptions.
You can find a list of Insurance companies in the Directory section of the guide.
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