(This article really only applies to the UK)

Why do I need to worry about insurance?

Each and every project you get involved with has a legal obligation to comply with the current HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES. Even if you are on a NO/LOW BUDGET FILM, AND NO ONE IS GETTING PAID, THE PROJECT MUST CARRY ADEQUATE INSURANCE!

However, more and more of these types of projects are completely igorant to this fact (or damn stupid and choose to ignore it). I've lost count of the number of Actors I've met who have worked on projects that WERE NOT INSURED and so many of them had also never seen a RISK ASSEMENT FORM.

What can you, as an Actor, do about this?

Well, if the project you are asked to join has no plans to take out adequate insurance, either TACTFULLY FORCE THEM TO CHANGE THEIR MIND OR JUST WALK AWAY.

If you are having trouble suggesting that they take out insurance, tell them the following:

Projects, no matter what size, are VERY wise to opt for insurance. Not only does it send out the right message to their cast and crew but it also protects them if anything goes wrong. The Health and Safety Executive are very, very strong now and it is deeply unwise to not hold insurance when you do anything at all involving anyone. This is because if anything does go wrong, the Director and Producer are held personally liable and accountable by the HSE resulting in criminal prosecutions, massive fines and even prison sentences...

I.e. if ANYONE gets hurt on a shoot (and that includes a member of the public), UNLESS THERE WERE ADEQUATE HEALTH AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS, THE PRODUCER AND/OR DIRECTOR COULD BE PROSECUTED AND GO TO JAIL!!!

All it takes is someone, somewhere to suffer an injury on a set and then talk to one of the many "AMBULANCE CHASING LAWYERS" that now advertise here in the UK and the project won't have a leg to stand on if they didn't comply with these guidelines...

Join Equity!

OK, so if ever an Actor wanted a reason to join Equity here it is: All members of Equity automatically get £10 million of Public Liability insurance. Although this is no substitute for each and every project having adequate insurance, it at least should go some way towards protecting you if ever anything went wrong to you on an unpaid job. Best check with Equity BEFORE you start any job that is uninsured. Their UK phone number is 0207 379 6000.

So, who offers the relevant insurance policies?

You might like to try any of the following but I suggest you ring around, explain what you are doing, ask them what cover do they recommend and try to get the best quote possible.

Below is a list of the companies I have used recently:-

• I used Essex Insurance Services (tel. 01708 524 416) on the last short film I worked on and they proved pretty cost effective, especially considering they are able to offer short-term cover for a week or so.
  We paid around UKP88 which covered a week's worth of filming for public liability and employers liability insurance. You may want to consider getting equipment insurance thrown in as well.
  Beverly and Neil, deals with film and photographic shoots - public liability and lighting kit
• Allan Chapman & James Insurance Brokers (IVCA) Tel: 0120 650 0000
• Highcross Insurance Services (don't have their number but it would be easy to find)
• Paul Cable at Media and Entertainment offers cheap insurance for short films: 020 8467 8455
• Torribles Secial Risks offer excellent cover too and are open to negotiation: 0117 917 1150

Other companies offering insurance include:-

• www.anchormaninsurance.co.uk
• AON ltd - 01753 651700
• Butcher Robinson & Staples International: 020 7397 5060
• Cadogan Hanover Park Commercial; 0845 345 0815
• FMW Risk Services: 01376 574200
• First Act Insurance: 020 8686 5050
• Helm Group: 01784 427300
• IMS Film Insurance: 020 805 2211
• Insight Insurance Services Ltd (Film Dept Manager is Alex Collett): 0845 272 5151
• Media Insurance Brokers: 020 7287 5054
• Performance Media Insurance: 0845 345 0815
• Robertson Taylor Insurance Brokers: 020 7510 1234
• Stonehouse Conseillers: 020 7636 3788
• THB Media: 0870 751 5077
• Tyser: 020 7397 4888
• Williamson Carson & Co: 020 8650 9222

What is a RISK ASSESMENT FORM?

A Risk Assesment Form is a template document that should be filled in and readily available at each and every shoot you do. It lists all the various risks that anyone may be exposed to and lists the steps taken to limit the possibilites of harm coming to anyone.

I've put two different blank template documents on this website and they can be downloaded from :

HERE

and

HERE

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