No matter how prepared you and your crew are going into production, when it comes time to shoot, things can go wrong. Entertainment insurance is an important tool to offset the risks that can happen before, during, or after production.
Not having production insurance means you take on 100% of the financial, legal, and logistical risks — even for small shoots. One accident, lost camera, or cancelled shoot day due to weather can completely derail your production or blow your film budget.
In this article we break down the types of insurance available, how much it costs as well as popular UK insurance brokers.
All productions, international and domestic, need proof of public liability insurance in order to receive permission to film, whether shooting commercials, TV shows, feature films or documentaries.
But insurance doesn't only apply to production companies. If you’re an independent filmmaker, a freelance location scout, content creator or Youtuber working on location, you will also need to take out your insurance cover.
Unfortunately without a solid film production insurance policy, you can be sued for causing damage to someone's property. Plus you’ll have to pay out of pocket for any legal fees, compensation, or damage awards.
If you are a student and your project is part of your course, you should be covered by your college or university. We recommend reaching out to your department and getting written confirmation of this before you start.
Here are just a few examples of accidents and interruptions that could happen on a film set:
A strong entertainment insurance policy should fully cover your production’s core needs — because the last thing you want is an unexpected incident on set that falls outside your coverage.
At the same time, a great policy offers flexibility. For example, even if you usually film on sound stages, you might suddenly find yourself shooting outdoors in extreme weather. In that case, you’ll want a policy that allows for temporary add-ons, and a broker who can quickly adapt your cover. That’s why most annual production insurance plans are designed to be expandable.
Standard film insurance typically includes cover for on-set injuries, equipment damage, copyright claims, and production vehicle use — whether it's an assistant picking up lunch or a crew member hauling gear in a truck.
From there, you can customise your policy to fit the specifics of your shoot. A feature film shot underwater, for example, would need very different coverage compared to a commercial filmed at a car dealership.
Just as policies vary by production, so do brokers. A broker who works mainly with indie films may not be the right fit for a big-budget studio production, where each cast member might need to be insured for millions.
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An annual policy is a comprehensive insurance plan that covers all your productions within a 12-month period, rather than just a single project. It’s ideal for individuals and production companies working on multiple shoots throughout the year because it ends up cheaper and requires less paperwork - one set of documents covers everything!
It also gives you flexibility and peace of mind that you are covered for any last minute pickups or re-shoots. Just be aware some insurers may limit your budget per production (e.g. up to £250K per project).
An annual policy can be UK specific or worldwide depending on your setup. It usually covers public liability (often £1m- £10m), employers’ liability, owned or hired equipment, cancellation or interruption to filming and cast and crew accidents.
Watch out for any stunts or potentially hazardous filming locations that may be outside your regular scope and require additional cover.
Short term production insurance covers you for a specific project or a limited time window — from as little as one day up to a few weeks or months. You buy it just for the duration of your shoot and that’s it.
It’s best for indie filmmaker and content creators doing one off-shoots, or anyone not filming frequently enough to justify an annual policy.
The key benefits are you pay a lower upfront cost, the policy is tailored to your shoot, and it’s quicker to arrange. You can often book it online.
Keep in mind that you may need to specify each shooting day and location in the policy and coverage ends on the last day of shooting, so any pickups at a later date won’t be covered.
Freelancer insurance is a type of annual policy designed for self-employed jobs on film sets, like camera and drone operators, location scouts, editors, producers and riggers.
The policy usually includes cover for technical equipment (both owned and rented), public liability and employers liability if you hire staff to work for you.
Major broadcasters are now also pushing for freelancers to carry professional indemnity insurance, particularly where you are working in an advisory capacity or handling location agreements, permits, or risk assessments. Most insurers cover this as part of their freelance insurance policy.
Film production insurance in the UK can range widely in cost depending on the type, budget and risk level of your shoots and it’s a good idea to ask for a few quotes.
Short-term insurance typically costs between £100 and £2,000, depending on the shoot length, equipment value, and risk factors. It usually includes public liability, employer’s liability (if you’re hiring crew), and equipment cover. This kind of policy is flexible and affordable for occasional or low-budget productions.
For those producing content regularly, an annual production insurance policy is more cost-effective. These start from around £500 per year for solo creators or small freelancers, and can go up to £15,000+ for larger production companies handling multiple, high-budget shoots.
In terms of budgeting for your film, to be conservative you’ll want to budget about 3% of your film’s budget for entertainment insurance– meaning that if your budget is £250,000, you would set aside £7,500.
In the UK, film and entertainment insurance is arranged through specialist brokers who are authorised and regulated, just like in other industries. While many production insurance providers now offer digital services, your policy will always be issued under a named broker or agency and you’ll have a real point of contact.
Ideal for: Larger / big budget productions, music videos, freelancers
Ideal for: Freelancers, production companies, annual policies
Ideal for: Indie filmmakers, short term and annual policies
Ideal for: All-size productions, international shoots
In an industry where even small mistakes can lead to costly consequences, filmmaking insurance is a necessity not a luxury. Whether you're shooting a short film, a feature, or a commercial, the right cover protects you from unexpected setbacks like injuries, equipment damage, or legal claims. It gives you peace of mind to focus on creativity, knowing you are covered for any unexpected incidents.
SuperScout is your own private location library – upload locations in minutes, tag them with ai in seconds, then search and share with your team
