How Much Does Video And Film Production Insurance Cost? 2026 Rates

U.S. video and film production businesses can expect to pay between $540 and $1,080 annually for business insurance, averaging $45 to $90 per month. The primary cost drivers are location, type of production, length of the shoot, budget of the production, equipment value, crew size, stunts and special effects.

How Much Does Video and Film Production Insurance Cost?

The average video and film production business in the U.S. pays between $540 and $1,080 per year for business insurance. That breaks down to roughly $45 to $90 per month. However, this is just a ballpark range and actual business insurance costs can vary widely depending on your specific situation.

Every film or video production comes with its own risks and insurance needs, so there’s no one-size-fits-all price for coverage.

A small independent short film with a tiny crew and no stunts will pay much less for insurance than a big-budget action movie with special effects, actors, and a large team.

Things like the type of scenes you’re filming, how long your shoot lasts, where you’re filming, and the value of your equipment can all affect how much you’ll pay.

For example, filming in a busy city where accidents or lawsuits are more likely may raise your liability insurance costs. Similarly, productions with car chases, stunts, or fire effects will probably have higher insurance premiums than a simple interview shoot done in a studio.

Understanding these variables can help you better estimate your insurance needs and prepare for the real costs of protecting your video and film production business.

Average Video And Film Production Insurance Costs For Coverage Types

When it comes to protecting your video and film production business, different types of insurance cover different risks. Understanding the average cost, coverage details, and what influences pricing for each policy type can help you build a more effective insurance plan.

Here’s a closer look at the major coverages most video and film production businesses need.

• General liability insurance: $45 per month
• Business owner’s policy: $52 per month
• Workers’ compensation insurance: $56 per month
• Commercial auto insurance: $142 per month
• Equipment insurance: $40 per month

Business Owner’s Policy (BOP)

Video and film production companies pay an average of about $52 per month for a business owner’s policy. A BOP combines general liability with commercial property insurance and is useful for production teams that maintain office space, editing studios, or valuable post-production workstations.

If a fire, electrical issue, or water leak damages editing suites, props, storage areas, or computers, a BOP can help cover equipment replacement and repairs to the workspace. This coverage also applies if someone is injured while visiting your production office.

Typical liability limits are $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate, while property limits depend on the value of items insured. Costs vary based on the size of the company, location, type of productions, and the amount of equipment stored onsite.

Average annual BOP premiums by state:

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual BOP premiums for video and film production operations; actual premiums will vary with business size, project scope, equipment use, claims history, and state-specific regulations.

General Liability Insurance

The average film or video production company spends about $45 per month on general liability insurance. This coverage protects against third-party injuries, property damage, and advertising-related claims.

A typical example would be a passerby tripping over a lighting stand or cable at an outdoor shoot. General liability can help cover medical bills, claim settlements, and legal defense costs. It may also provide protection when a venue or client requires proof of liability coverage.

Most production companies carry limits of $1 million per occurrence and $2 million aggregate. Pricing is influenced by production size, audience proximity to sets, number of crew members, and whether additional insured endorsements are required for filming permits.

Average annual costs by state:

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual general liability premiums for video and film production operations; actual premiums will vary with project scope, crew size, equipment use, claims history, and state-specific regulations.

Equipment Insurance

Video and film production companies pay an average of about $40 per month for equipment coverage. This policy protects cameras, drones, lighting kits, audio gear, stabilizers, monitors, editing systems, and rented gear against theft, accidental damage, or loss.

If a $20,000 cinema camera is dropped on set, or if a van carrying gear is broken into during travel, equipment insurance can help pay for replacement or repairs without halting production schedules.

Costs depend on the value of equipment, how often it travels, where filming occurs, and storage security practices.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual equipment insurance premiums for video and film production operations; actual premiums will vary with equipment value, usage, storage conditions, claims history, and state-specific underwriting factors.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Workers’ compensation for production companies averages about $56 per month. It provides coverage for medical expenses, rehabilitation, and partial wage replacement when employees are injured while working.

Injury risks are higher in production environments because crew members lift heavy gear, climb staging, work around electrical systems, or set up on uneven terrain. If a grip strains a shoulder loading equipment or an assistant falls while adjusting lights, workers’ comp helps cover the resulting costs.

Rates vary based on payroll size, number of employees, job types such as stunt work, lighting, or editing, and workplace safety practices.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual workers’ compensation premiums for video and film production operations; actual premiums will vary with payroll size, crew classifications, project scope, claims history, and state-specific rules.

Commercial Auto Insurance

Production companies that use vans, cargo vehicles, transport trucks, or passenger shuttles spend about $142 per month on commercial auto insurance. This coverage applies to accidents, theft, vandalism, or property damage involving vehicles used for business.

If a crew van transporting props and cameras is involved in a collision en route to a set, commercial auto insurance helps cover repairs, injuries, and third-party damages. Rates are affected by the number of vehicles, driving distance, driver records, and vehicle types.

Average annual premiums by state:

Note: Estimates reflect typical annual commercial auto premiums for video and film production operations; actual premiums will vary with fleet size, vehicle use, driving records, coverage limits, and state-specific underwriting factors.

Video and Film Production Business Insurance Costs By Provider

Video and film production business insurance costs will vary greatly depending on the insurance carrier. Use the table below to find average costs across different providers.

Note: Estimates are based on average annual premiums for video and film production businesses; actual premiums will vary by location, production scale, equipment value, claims history, and coverage limits.

What Factors Impact Your Video and Film Production Insurance Costs?

Video and film production insurance premiums are carefully calculated by underwriters based on your project’s risk profile. From the type of content you create to the locations you film in and your production history, several factors influence what you’ll pay for coverage.

Type Of Production

The kind of project you’re filming matters a lot. A documentary might cost less to insure than an action movie because it usually involves fewer stunts, special effects, or risky locations.

Length Of The Shoot

If your production takes more days to shoot, your insurance cost goes up. That’s because longer shoots mean more time for something to go wrong (like damage, injury, or delays).

Budget Of The Production

The higher your budget, the more insurance you’ll need. Big-budget films have more expensive equipment, more people involved, and greater risks, so insurance costs more.

Locations Used

Shooting in public places, foreign countries, or high-risk areas (like mountains or water) can increase your insurance. Controlled studio shoots are cheaper to insure because they’re safer and more predictable.

Equipment Value

Insurance covers the value of your gear, like cameras, lights, and sound equipment. If you’re using high-end or rented gear, you’ll pay more to insure it.

Stunts And Special Effects

If your film includes stunts, explosions, or pyrotechnics, the risk of injury or damage increases, so insurance will cost more. The same goes for flying drones or using animals.