Errors & Omissions Insurance Coverage – scam?

[Richard Kuenneke]

Thanks Tim. Where’s the link you mentioned?

Rich

[Bob Cole]

Most purchases provide immediate feedback. You buy the apple, you eat the apple. It tastes good – or not. If it’s lousy, you’ve at least learned something, and you haven’t lost your ability to eat another apple. Insurance might be the only thing we buy which lacks feedback until it’s too late, sometimes disastrously so.

So I don’t fault you, as some others seem to have, for using the word “scam,” because it can certainly seem that way. (The health care debate has uncovered many stories of people whose policies didn’t cover what they had expected them to.)

This thread has been interesting, but has not touched on how E&O policies have performed in action. It would be good to hear some factual cases. I suspect, however, that many people involved in settling a dispute have had to sign an agreement restricting his/her freedom to discuss it.

The biggest problem is getting insurance that actually covers what you need. A good agent who really knows the territory would be a valuable asset in your search for appropriate insurance. Walter made a good point about the agent who took the trouble to visit his place of business. You might also want to consult an attorney who specializes in intellectual property for a recommendation.

Bob C

[Richard Kuenneke]

I contacted an intellectual property attorney and he won’t return my call.

Scam refers to the insurance guy I talked to who offered no information other than prices that seemed way beyond the need – AND he sent me a form to fill out that was unreadable. When I contacted him again for help with the form, he ignored me.

I’ve got my general business liability agent working on this. I hope to hear from her today or tomorrow. I think she’ll be able to give me a general E & O policy for my business – I am not sure she can cover a specific production that airs on local television.

The scam-insurance-guy mentioned above told me I would have to get a policy for a specific production and the minimum cost was $2,500.00. Once it was complete, I would submit it to them with all the documentation and they would send me an invoice.

Given their trusting, helpful nature, I am not sure they will add a considerable amount to the base price of $2,500.00.

Rich

[Bob Cole]

It’s time-consuming, but you might try contacting more agents and more i.p. attorneys. There are many lawyers with great experience in how insurance policies actually work, and it’s tricky. There are outstanding people in the insurance business, but there are also, as you have discovered, lazy and ignorant agents as well. I know a couple great agents, and they are worth the search.

Bob C

[Rich Sims]

Hi Tim,

You mentioned to take a look at the above best practices guide,

“Take a look at the Best Practices guide linked above.”

Cant’ seem to find the link, am I missing something? Could be, I’ve been traveling and need some sleep.

Thanks,
Rich Sims

[Tim Wilson]

Here’s the link to the Fair Use & Copyright resources at the Center for Social Media from American University School of Communication. The Best Practices guide is a little way down the page.

There are a bunch of other great resources there for documentaries, indie film, stuff you post on your personal website, educators — all very interesting and useful. Poke around the rest of the site to see what you might find. 🙂

Tim

Tim Wilson
Creative Cow Magazine!

My Blog: “Is this thing on? Oh it’s on!”

[Adam Deierling]

https://filmemporium.com/errors_omissions.html