I was reading another thread about having insurance and who provides insurance for a production. These were sound mixers working on projects. They all have insurance to cover their equipment, but the question came up about who should cover damages to the equipment if something happen. Most of the that board agreed that the Producer or Production Company’s insurance should pay out, not your insurance.

Let me step back, most of these sound mixer have a contact in place. May it be one day or 30 days, they have the producer or production company provide a COI(Certificate Of Insurance) to cover their equipment. If the producer or company cannot provide a COI, they will not work for the company. In other words, if something breaks, it comes out of their pocket.

Some producers and production company try to pass in the contract that it’s the responsibility of the sound mixer to pay for damage equipment. Most catch the clause and cross it out.

We do carry insurance to protect us, but what about when working with a producer or production company? Is it written in your contract that if equipment is damaged, the producer or company will pay for repair or replacement? Does the producer or company freeload on our policy? What about liability? It’s our policy, and will go up if when there is a claim? Is the producer or company get a free ride?

Some producers and production companies should have insurance, and should it cover you and your equipment? If not why? Shouldn’t they provide coverage for us?

Some suggested to add the cost of insurance to the invoice. "Uninsured Fee of 12% of the rental total." This is from a rental house. Also the deductible is paid by the producer or company, not you, if something goes wrong.

The sound mixers are freelancers like us, working for different clients on different projects. Have you ever ask if the Producer or Production Company will cover your equipment? Asked for a COI? Liability?

Thanks