Is that car insured during filming?

You have arranged the perfect car for your video clip, series or film. Fine, it may be worth almost EUR 67,000, but surely that will be all right. Won't it?

Unfortunately, a mistake on set is easily made. Someone confuses the brake with the accelerator, or an inexperienced production assistant decides to move the car "just for a second" and drives straight into a lighting stand. As a producer, there is one thing you want to know in advance: how is that vehicle insured?

The standard rules on set

Under No Risk's media production insurance, a car on set falls under the production equipment section. In simple terms, this means that a car appearing on camera is, as standard, insured against sudden material damage, vandalism and theft. This applies on the filming location itself, but also while the car is being transported from one set to another.

Even so, you cannot simply put your foot down without checking the details. A few important conditions apply. The owner of the car must always make sure the vehicle has statutory motor third-party liability insurance, known in the Netherlands as WAM insurance. Do not forget to check this. Damage caused by the car to other people or to someone else's property is not covered under the media production insurance. If the lead actor accidentally hits a passer-by, the WAM insurance deals with that. The media production insurance only covers material damage to the car itself on set and during transport.

The stunt exception

Then there are stunt cars. This is where insurers draw a clear line. As soon as a car is used for a stunt, it is no longer covered under the standard cover for motor vehicles on set. Dangerous actions, drifting or jumps are generally excluded.

If you still want to film that spectacular action scene, always report it to No Risk in writing in advance using the stunt form. Only once the insurer has given explicit approval and the necessary safety measures have been taken can you shoot the action scene with peace of mind.

If you use a car purely as a prop or for a calm driving scene, the standard media production insurance gives you the right cover. If you are planning something more intense with screeching tyres and turbo boosts, always contact us first to discuss the details. That way, you avoid unpleasant financial surprises.