Film Shoot COIs and Production Insurance Requirements

One of the fastest ways for a production to get delayed is missing or incorrect insurance paperwork. Many filming locations, rental houses, studios, municipalities, agencies, and clients require proof of insurance before a shoot can move forward. That usually means providing a Certificate of Insurance (COI) showing the production company carries the required coverage.

For small production companies and owner/operators, this is often the moment insurance shifts from “something the business should probably have” into a real operational requirement.

What Is a COI for a Film Shoot?

A Certificate of Insurance (COI) is a document summarizing the insurance coverage carried by the production company. For film and video productions, COIs are commonly requested by:

• Filming locations

• Studios

• Rental houses

• Municipalities

• Property owners

• Clients and agencies

• Event venues

The COI itself is not the insurance policy. It is simply evidence that coverage exists.

Common Production Insurance Requirements

Production insurance requirements can vary significantly depending on the type of shoot, location, and client. Common coverages requested for film shoots may include:

General Liability

General Liability coverage is commonly required for:

• Filming locations

• Property owners

• Permit offices

• Agencies and clients

This coverage is generally designed to help protect against third-party bodily injury and property damage claims.

General Liability for Production

Equipment Coverage

Many productions also carry coverage for:

• Camera packages

• Lighting/G&E packages

• Audio kits

• Mobile equipment (telehandlers, condors, etc)

• Production supplies

This is commonly structured through Inland Marine coverage because production equipment regularly moves between locations.

Equipment coverage

Hired & Non-Owned Auto

Productions frequently rely on:

• Rented cubes

• Transpo vans

• Crew vehicles

• Temporary production transportation

Hired & Non-Owned Auto coverage is commonly used to help address liability exposure involving vehicles the production company does not own directly.

Hired & Non-Owned Auto for Production

Workers’ Compensation

If productions hire employees or crew members, Workers’ Compensation requirements may also apply depending on the state, payroll structure, and production setup.

Common COI Requests for Productions

Production COIs often include requests for:

• Additional Insured wording

• Waiver of Subrogation wording

• Specific liability limits

• Proof of equipment coverage

• Proof of auto liability coverage

• Rental house wording

Some filming locations and vendors may also request copies of endorsements supporting the wording shown on the certificate.

How To Request a COI From Your Insurance Agent

A good COI request usually includes:

• Certificate holder name

• Mailing address

• Email address

• Shoot dates

• Requested wording

• Contract requirements

• Whether Additional Insured wording is required

• Whether Waiver of Subrogation wording is required

The more organized the request, the faster the certificate process usually goes.

Common Production Insurance Mistakes

Assuming Any Insurance Policy Works for Productions

Many production companies accidentally end up with generic policies not really designed around:

• Mobile equipment

• Temporary locations

• Rental houses

• Crew vehicles

• Production workflows

Policy structure matters.

Waiting Until the Last Minute

COI requests often happen close to shoot dates, but waiting until the day before production can create unnecessary stress if wording revisions or underwriting approvals become necessary.

Assuming Equipment Coverage Automatically Extends Everywhere

Production gear constantly moves between:

• Vehicles

• Hotels

• Airports

• Rental houses

• Temporary locations

That creates very different exposures than property sitting primarily at a fixed office location.

What To Ask When Comparing Production Insurance Policies

When comparing film production insurance options, it is worth asking:

• How quickly can COIs typically be issued?

• Is Inland Marine coverage included?

• Are rented vehicles contemplated?

• Is rented gear included?

• What is the coverage territory?

• Are rental house requirements commonly handled?

• Are production workflows actually contemplated by the policy structure?

One of the more common things we see at Parkside Agency is production companies assuming all production insurance policies work roughly the same, when operational details can vary significantly between carriers and policy structures.

Final Thoughts

Film production insurance is not just about checking a box. For many productions, insurance becomes part of the operational workflow itself:

• Location approvals

• Rental pickups

• Permit requirements

• Client contracts

• Crew management

• Production logistics

Understanding how COIs and production insurance requirements work can help productions avoid delays, reduce confusion, and keep shoots moving smoothly once real-world location and vendor requirements start entering the picture.