As a professional you will need to protect yourself against unforeseen circumstances which, assuming a worst case scenario, may result in a claim being made against you. Whilst individual requirements differ, you should consider all of the following, alongside advice from one or more of the relevant professional bodies, who may offer full or partial cover as part of their membership benefits, or provide access to a scheme at favourable rates.
You may find that some policies are only valid for certain geographical areas, and you must be careful that you are covered for every country in which you are likely to find yourself visiting/transiting/working.
Public liability
Ensure that you are covered in case your actions, or those whom you employ, lead to an accident in which people are injured, or property or valuables are damaged.
Employee liability
Protection against claims affecting those who assist you on location, even if you are not paying them wages.
Professional indemnity
Covers the liability of the insured for negligence on the part of themselves and their employees in the pursuance of their employment.
Equipment
If you own equipment, cover it against theft, accidental damage and hiring replacement equipment whilst repairs are undertaken. You may also wish to include cover for hiring extra equipment on a job by job basis.
Personal life
Check your policy for exclusions which may affect some of the work you undertake. Examples are, filming in riots and war zones, risky lifestyle activities, and flying by any means other than scheduled airlines. These contingencies should be covered by your employer, but do check that extra or alternative cover is in place before you accept these assignments.
Travel
Cover against delays and cancellations affecting your travel, and should include provision for accommodation and/or alternative transport if you find yourself unable to travel immediately to your next destination. But do ensure that you are fully covered for the purposes of your work/employment. Most travel policies are designed purely for holidays, and are almost certainly limited to a number of days in a specified time period (as well as geographical limitations). They probably do not cover ‘risky’ lifestyle activities and sports, and you should take care when working/filming in this type of environment that the exclusion could also be applied to your activities.
Medical/health
When travelling/working abroad, some policies may be invalid for further travel/work abroad for a period of time after your return home. This is to cover their liability in case you are incapacitated by an infection/disease you contracted during your trip, which may take several days/weeks to incubate thereafter. Check your policy to ascertain the time limit imposed, and if you are required to work or travel abroad within this time limit, you will obviously need to provide yourself with alternative/additional cover (which, if consecutive trips abroad are for the purposes of work, may be provided by your employer).
Personal accident/injury
Cover for injury to yourself arising from an accident, which may have occurred either through work or leisure activities. These schemes often only apply after several weeks of incapacity.
Vehicle
Your vehicle should be covered for carrying equipment, employees and possibly artistes. You may also require your insurance to cover any driver with your permission. This need can easily arise, for example, if whilst on location, vehicles need to be moved, and you are unable to do it yourself whilst shooting. The most practical solution is to give your keys to the Production Manager, or other staff, to move your vehicle.
Income protection
This is an expensive option, but you may wish to consider it if you have dependants. However, if you do decide to go ahead with one, be very careful over the wording with respect to provision of benefit, as you need to be fully covered for any inability to do your full-time professional job. Some policies restrict their liability if you are able to function in any capacity whatsoever (what, still breathing?).