Insurance for makers/freelancers?

Jay FrancisJay Francis ✭
in General

Hi all - hoping someone might be able to help.


I'm about to rent studio space and have the opportunity to work on some animatronic projects.  I'm looking for insurance carriers who are familiar with small time prop/model/animatronic studios and freelancers (General Liability plus Product Liability for manufacturing).  The commercial broker who obtained insurance for my existing electronics/software freelance business is having trouble finding a carrier willing to cover my new adventure.


Any other freelancers or small studio folks able to share their solution?


Thanks in advance,

Jay

Comments

  • Jay FrancisJay Francis ✭
    I should add - this is in the United States
  • Steven TaylorSteven Taylor ✭
    Jay I use a company that has a simple art-based set of policies
    https://www.actinsurance.com/artists-insurance

    I haven't needed to call on them for any issues but it's a thing and a reasonable expense
  • Jay FrancisJay Francis ✭
    Thanks Steven - I'll give them a call. 
  • Jay FrancisJay Francis ✭
    Talked to an AI agent at ACT insurance on the phone (not impressed).  They don't cover motorized items, so animatronics are out.

    I did find a broker who has worked with clients manufacturing haunted attraction props.  This avenue is promising.  However, I've learned it isn't reasonable to look for blanket product liability insurance covering an undefined set products (i.e. a studio that makes one-offs and custom works).  If you have a specific product that can be evaluated for risk, it's possible.  I'm sure how to handle this aspect of "the business" is either well known to those who do it, or a closely held business secret  ;)
  • Steven TaylorSteven Taylor ✭
    There is some nuance here that I haven't been exposed to ... When I had a home construction co. we would carry injury liability as well as tool, equipment ect. The ACT insurance was enough for me to have my building owner, grant me a lease ... please keep us posted on what you find- it will be useful across the board.
  • Jay FrancisJay Francis ✭

    Follow up:


    Where I did have success, and unfortunately isn't a general solution for many, was to leverage my engineering background and reframe what I'm doing as engineering prototyping and R&D instead of creative/art.  For animatronics and props that include mechanical/electronics, this shift makes sense, and insurance companies understand the risks.  On the negative side, while the in house engineering work (i.e. design work which could include prototyping) is covered, actual production and delivery of a physical item to a client is not.  Which means I need to have more insurance conversations in the future before I can deliver a finished item to a client (assuming I want liability coverage...).  For now, this gets me into studio space and covers development.


    Side note - adding professional liability coverage could cover delivery of designs/plans to a client, and at least for me isn't a huge add-on cost if/when needed.


    I still think there must be insurance underwriters who have a more nuanced understanding of what I was originally trying to pursue, or there's a different approach that I'm too inexperienced to know about.  Now that I have some breathing room, I can take some time to look deeper.


    I hope this helps someone...


    --Jay

Sign In or Register to comment.