Film Errors and Omissions Insurance Manchester
What is Film Errors and Omissions Insurance?
It’s an essential insurance cover for production companies that create and distribute content for cinematic, television, advertising and online release, as well as podcasts, music videos and theatrical productions. Film E&O is also important for anyone who creates and distributes video content. Our specialist film errors and omissions insurance policies are tailored to safeguard your creative work from legal and financial risks.
The risks associated with creating video or film content are very specific, but distributing your content brings a raft of new risks on a global basis. Even with legal clearances, mistakes happen. Film E&O insurance (also known as media E&O insurance) covers claims against a production company or distributor, usually after the film is released, including breach of copyright or trademark, breach of privacy, defamation and breach of contract – or overstepping the mark in a licensing agreement. Your distribution partners (film distribution companies, financial backers, broadcasters) will rely on you insuring against these risks so they don’t impact on them.
What if?
- Your content is considered too similar to existing work?
- Your film inadvertently breaches someone’s privacy?
- You’re sued for featuring a brand or music without authorisation?
- You fail to credit an author properly?
It’s on you, the producer – and costs can quickly mount up. With global content distribution, you’re now exposed in unfamiliar territories and jurisdictions where laws may differ. Film Errors & Omissions Insurance in Manchester can help cover the costs of an investigation, financial settlements, and legal defense if a claim is brought against you. But you need to buy the insurance prior to distributing your work.
What’s covered under Aguila’s Film Errors & Omissions insurance?
Film Errors & Omissions Insurance can’t protect you if you intentionally breach copyright, privacy or a contract – or if a claim arises from criminal activity. But with genuine professional mistakes, E&O can help with:
- Infringement of intellectual property rights – including copyright, patent, trademark, music rights, characters, plots, artwork; infringement of title, broadcasting cable or satellite rights, moral rights; plagiarism and acts of passing off
- Misuse of information – a breach of confidentiality or statutory restrictions
- Defamation, libel, slander
- Breach of confidence or infringement of privacy rights
- Title cover is an optional extension - we can help you with title searches
FAQS
What kind of Film Errors & Omissions claims are made?
There are examples of real (some high profile) claims that have arisen in recent years:
- A writer was accused of plagiarising a storyline and was sued for copyright infringement
- Private individuals appeared against their will in a TV series when their faces were not blurred out
- A photographer claimed his work appeared without permission in the background of a documentary
- A woman claimed to have inspired a character in a well-known TV series and sued for defamation, negligence and privacy violations
- A celebrity alleged their reputation was damaged by a defamatory portrayal of them in a film production
- An international business sued a local TV producer for title infringement for using their name
When should I buy Film Errors & Omissions insurance?
It might be tempting to wait until the film is completed and delivered to the distributor before buying film errors and omissions Insurance, but if a claim arises prior to delivery, you the producer are liable for any costs associated with defending the claim, and for any penalties. For this reason it’s important to put your film E&O insurance during the planning stages of the production.
How do deductibles work with Film Errors & Omissions?
Film E&O claims usually have a deductible, and these can be considerably higher than for other types of insurance. We can help you find the right balance between the level of deductible and the price of the policy.
The level of deductible is the sum that your production company will need to contribute when you make a claim.
What does Film Errors and Omissions insurance cover?
Film Errors and Omissions (E&O) insurance covers legal costs and claims arising from the content of your production. This includes allegations of defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, trademark misuse, and breach of intellectual property rights. It is essential for protecting against risks that could prevent distribution or lead to costly legal disputes. Aguila Risk International tailors E&O policies specifically for filmmakers, producers, distributors, and broadcasters, ensuring your project is protected at every stage.
Which locations are you based?
We cover all major production centres including Los Angeles, New York, London and Manchester.
Why Choose Aguila for Your Film Errors and Omissions Insurance?
We speak your language. In the production business, time is so often of the essence – that’s why we make the insurance side quick and easy. Our specialist film errors and omissions policy is designed to engineer out your distribution risks so you can focus on the creative side.
We work with insurers who are also specialists in underwriting these types of risk and activities.
- Comprehensive protection
- Worldwide cover
- Expert advice from individuals with decades of experience
- Quick and easy to put in place
- Single production or annual policy
- Up to five years’ cover
- Up to GBP/USD/EUR 10,000,000 limit of indemnity
- Optional cover for merchandising and soundtrack
Protect Your Production with Film Errors & Omissions Insurance
Film errors and omissions insurance is critical when you enter a distribution contract. Without it, the costs of legal fees and damages if you’re sued could represent an existential threat for your organisation.
Contact us now for expert advice to help you make the right insurance decisions for your production.
