Do You Need Insurance for Your Video Production?
Whether your project is union or non union, high budget or low budget, you will almost always need production insurance to secure the essentials. Insurance is the key to landing payroll services, filming locations, equipment rentals, and even future distribution partners.
Why Insurance Matters
Productions move fast and involve real risk. A solid insurance policy protects you from financial exposure and signals professionalism to the vendors and partners who make your shoot possible. Rental houses, locations, and payroll companies will request a certificate of insurance before they approve your booking. Productions without coverage often find themselves stalled before they can even start prep.
Crew and Equipment Expectations
Experienced crew members sometimes require that their kit or personal gear be covered to a certain scale. A professional gaffer, DP, or sound mixer might not step onto a set without confirmation that their equipment is insured. Meeting that expectation strengthens your hiring pool and protects everyone involved.
Work With Your Vendors
Your rental house or filming location can tell you exactly what their insurance requirements look like. From general liability to equipment limits, your insurance rep can tailor a policy to meet those needs. Clear communication here avoids costly delays and gives you a cleaner path through prep.
Lowering Costs Where You Can
Overnight security is often an overlooked way to reduce the price of an insurance package. Keeping gear protected after hours helps underwriters feel more confident, which can bring your premium down for both short form and long form projects.
The Reality of Going Without Insurance
It is technically possible to run a production without coverage, but the risk is heavy. Without insurance you expose yourself and your crew to emotional, financial, and legal fallout if anything goes wrong. A broken camera, a damaged location, or an on set injury can escalate into a situation that jeopardizes your project and your professional reputation.
Key Takeaway
Production insurance is not a luxury. It is a practical tool that protects your team, unlocks access to vendors, and supports the standards expected across Chicago and Illinois film sets. Even small projects benefit from proper coverage, and the cost is often far lower than the risk of going without.