When it comes to insurance, many film and television professionals lean towards short-term policies to cover individual productions. On the surface, it feels flexible and straightforward. But while short-term cover can work for a one-off project, for those working regularly in the industry an annual insurance policy provides far greater value – both financially and practically.
The Hidden Cost of Short-Term Cover
Short-term cover might look like the cheaper option at first. But buying multiple short-term policies across the year often means you end up paying more. It’s like renting equipment every weekend instead of buying your own kit – convenient in the moment, but much more expensive in the long run.
Each new short-term policy also comes with extra effort:
- New applications and paperwork
- Re-assessing cover terms
- Re-explaining your business model and risks
- Paying administration fees
Those costs and the wasted time quickly add up.
Did You Know
Short-term film cover often carries minimum premiums. If you buy multiple short-term policies in a year, you could end up paying those minimum charges again and again - making annual cover far more cost-effective.
Why Annual Cover Works Better
An annual insurance policy works like a season pass for your productions. One policy, one premium, one set of paperwork. Whether you’re working on commercials, music videos, feature films, or episodic TV, you’re already covered.
The advantages are clear:
- Better value: A single annual premium is usually more economical than piecing together multiple short-term covers.
- No gaps in protection: Avoid the risk of being uninsured between policies.
- Time saved: Less admin, less chasing paperwork, more focus on your work.
- Stronger support: Building an ongoing relationship with your broker means better advocacy if you need to make a claim.
Productions move quickly, and opportunities often land with little notice. With an annual policy, you’re not scrambling to arrange cover at the last minute. You can take on new projects knowing your insurance is already in place.
Think of it Like Equipment Ownership
If you’re only filming once in a blue moon, hiring a camera makes sense. But as soon as you’re on set more than a couple of times a year, owning your own gear quickly becomes better value – it saves money, gives you flexibility, and is always ready when you are.
Insurance works the same way. Short-term policies are like hired gear – handy for the odd project. But if you’re working even semi-regularly, an annual policy is the smarter choice: reliable, always in place, and usually far more cost-effective.
The Bottom Line
Short-term insurance is a temporary fix. Annual cover is the smarter, safer, and more cost-effective choice for anyone serious about working in film and television.
At Midland, we specialise in helping screen professionals simplify their insurance. We’ll work with you to set up an annual policy that protects your productions, saves you time, and provides real value across the year.
Get in touch with our team today to find out how annual cover can work for you.
Written By Scott McMurtrie
Senior Insurance Broker
Scott is an accomplished Senior Insurance Broker with over 12 years of experience in designing tailored protection plans for small businesses.
Read More »»
When it comes to insurance, many film and television professionals lean towards short-term policies to cover individual productions. On the surface, it feels flexible and straightforward. But while short-term cover can work for a one-off project, for those working regularly in the industry an annual insurance policy provides far greater value – both financially and practically.
The Hidden Cost of Short-Term Cover
Short-term cover might look like the cheaper option at first. But buying multiple short-term policies across the year often means you end up paying more. It’s like renting equipment every weekend instead of buying your own kit – convenient in the moment, but much more expensive in the long run.
Each new short-term policy also comes with extra effort:
- New applications and paperwork
- Re-assessing cover terms
- Re-explaining your business model and risks
- Paying administration fees
Those costs and the wasted time quickly add up.
Did You Know
Short-term film cover often carries minimum premiums. If you buy multiple short-term policies in a year, you could end up paying those minimum charges again and again - making annual cover far more cost-effective.
Why Annual Cover Works Better
An annual insurance policy works like a season pass for your productions. One policy, one premium, one set of paperwork. Whether you’re working on commercials, music videos, feature films, or episodic TV, you’re already covered.
The advantages are clear:
- Better value: A single annual premium is usually more economical than piecing together multiple short-term covers.
- No gaps in protection: Avoid the risk of being uninsured between policies.
- Time saved: Less admin, less chasing paperwork, more focus on your work.
- Stronger support: Building an ongoing relationship with your broker means better advocacy if you need to make a claim.
Productions move quickly, and opportunities often land with little notice. With an annual policy, you’re not scrambling to arrange cover at the last minute. You can take on new projects knowing your insurance is already in place.
Think of it Like Equipment Ownership
If you’re only filming once in a blue moon, hiring a camera makes sense. But as soon as you’re on set more than a couple of times a year, owning your own gear quickly becomes better value – it saves money, gives you flexibility, and is always ready when you are.
Insurance works the same way. Short-term policies are like hired gear – handy for the odd project. But if you’re working even semi-regularly, an annual policy is the smarter choice: reliable, always in place, and usually far more cost-effective.
The Bottom Line
Short-term insurance is a temporary fix. Annual cover is the smarter, safer, and more cost-effective choice for anyone serious about working in film and television.
At Midland, we specialise in helping screen professionals simplify their insurance. We’ll work with you to set up an annual policy that protects your productions, saves you time, and provides real value across the year.
Get in touch with our team today to find out how annual cover can work for you.
Written By Scott McMurtrie
Senior Insurance Broker
Scott is an accomplished Senior Insurance Broker with over 12 years of experience in designing tailored protection plans for small businesses.
Read More »»
