When should I buy Film E&O?

For financial reasons, many producers wait until delivery to the broadcaster or distributor before arranging their E&O insurance. But if a claim arises before delivery, any costs associated with defending the claim and penalties imposed will be the responsibility of the producer. If insurance is put in place after the producer is notified of a claim, it won’t cover that claim. We’d advise placing the insurance at the planning stages of your production. As with any insurance, the best time to buy E&O Insurance is before the risk is taken.

How do deductibles work?

As for most insurance policies, there’s usually a deductible on E&O claims – but these can be significantly higher than other commercial policies. The level of deductible can also influence the policy premium, so ask your broker for some options to find a solution that fits best with you and any other parties involved. Bear in mind that in the event of a claim, the level of deductible you choose will be the amount that hits ‘you’, the production company, in the pocket.

What information do I need to provide?

You’ll need to complete a proposal form before cover begins. You have an obligation as a policyholder to provide information that is complete, accurate and not misleading in anyway. The proposal form will include a list of requirements and clearance procedures. These procedures, as well as the clearance advice you receive from your solicitor, must be strictly adhered to. If an insurer determines that you haven’t followed the required procedures, your cover can be revoked or refused, which may affect future insurance purchases.

Film Errors & Omissions

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Film errors and omissions insurance protects films, TV, video and podcast producers from the financial impact of professional mistakes – either negligence or breach of contract or rights. Accusations of copyright infringement, accidental misuse information in a documentary or programme notes, or work being deemed defamatory are all things Film E&O insurance can help protect you against.

Who we support

Membership organisations
Publishing
Film and TV
Film Errors & Omissions

Why us?

Our clients are telling us

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We're specialists...

Through our collective experience, we’ve observed many of the best and worst practices in the insurance advisory market. We’re here to challenge the status quo and aim to establish a new level of service. We’re combining the best traditions of technical advice and client centricity, with modern thinking and smart use of systems and technology to enhance the client experience and create a dynamic workplace for our team.

Challenges in your industry

As a producer you’re exposed to a variety of risks as soon as your film is distributed. Despite slick production management and strict legal clearances, a producer could still face legal action from an error or omission. For example, the script of your production may be slightly similar to another film or programme, or even a published novel. This could lead to a claim that you’ve committed plagiarism i.e. copied someone else’s idea, and defending yourself at court can be very costly.

How we support

With the meteoric rise in video content, it’s not just film production companies who need film errors and omissions insurance. Video content for marketing and advertising is subject to the same scrutiny and risk exposures

Your business performs

Broadcasters, distributors and financiers of film and television productions expect you as the producer to insure against these risks. The solution is to take out errors and omissions (E&O) insurance prior to the distribution of your work, to cover the costs of investigation, settlements and defence if a claim is made against you.

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Your error and omissions insurance covers:

Errors and omissions insurance doesn’t cover costs arising from criminal charges or any deliberate wrongdoing. But professional mistakes do happen, and E&O insurance can help with:

Infringement of intellectual property rights – copyright, music rights, patents, trademarks; infringement of title, broadcasting cable or satellite rights, moral rights; or acts of passing off
Misuse of information – be it confidential or subject to any statutory restrictions;
Defamation, libel, slander;
Breach of confidence or infringement of privacy rights;
Title cover is an optional extension – we can help on title searches.

The first step in arranging your errors and omissions insurance is to speak with an experienced insurance broker as their advice will be invaluable. They’ll ensure you get the right levels of cover, at the right premium. For example, you’ll need guidance around your “delivery requirement”, which dictates the length of the policy period. This could be 1, 3 or maybe 5 years and will be clearly stated in your distributor’s contract.

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