Production Insurance
CTVA production insurance may be available for approved 300- and 400-level student productions that complete the Safety & Insurance Greenlight Process.
Insurance is not automatic. Your project must be registered, reviewed, and greenlit by your professor and the CTVA Production Safety Coordinator before you submit a Certificate of Insurance request.
This process applies to both principal photography and reshoots.
Access to CTVA insurance is a privilege. It may be suspended or revoked if a production violates CSUN, CTVA, or industry-standard safety rules.
Before you submit a Certificate of Insurance (COI) request for a filming location, a municipality, or an equipment rental vendor, make sure you have:
• Preliminary greenlight approval from your professor.
• Completed the Safety Green-Light Process.
• A signed Safety Green-Light Form from your professor and core crew: Producers, Director, 1st A.D., D.P., and P.D.
- Plan ahead! Insurance Requests take 10-business days to process; special requests can take longer.
- Submit a separate COI Request Form for each vendor or location. Refer to the COI Request Form Cheat Sheet for instructions.
- Attach the required paperwork. Include all documents required for that location, municipality, or rental company. See table “Required COI Attachments” table below.
- Get faculty review and signature. Your professor must review and sign each COI Request Form and confirm the attachments are complete.
- Email the complete packet. Send signed forms and supporting documents to ctva_insurance@my.csun.edu.
- Wait for processing. The Production Insurance Office will email issued COIs to the student producer who submitted the request.
Required COI Attachments Paperwork
| Request Type | What to Attach to the COI Request |
|---|---|
Filming Locations (using standard CSUN Location Agreement without changes) |
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Filming Locations (requesting changes to CSUN Location Agreement, or using their own location agreements) |
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| Rented items |
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| Municipalities |
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IMPORTANT: Student productions are financially responsible for any loss or damage costs within the deductible amount. This could be a significant cost to the production. Work hard to avoid loss and damage and be sure to include a contingency in project budgets in case of loss and damage expenses.
| Coverage Type | Plain-Language Summary | Limits / Deductibles |
|---|---|---|
| Third-Party Property Damage | Required when filming on rented property, such as a home, because General Liability does not cover property under the production's care, custody, or control. | $5,000 deductible. |
| Miscellaneous Rented Equipment | Helps cover rented production equipment against covered theft, loss, or damage while in use. | $5,000 deductible. |
| Props, Sets, and Wardrobe | Helps cover covered loss or damage to production materials such as props, sets, costumes, and wardrobe. | $2,500 deductible. |
• Waiver of Liability: Advanced student producers must collect a signed Waiver of Liability Form from every person on set who is not an enrolled CSUN student, including external cast, crew, and visitors.
• Producer responsibility: The producer is responsible for everyone present on set. Control visitors and external participants to maintain safety and compliance.
• Union / SAG projects: If your project is a union production, you must procure Workers' Compensation for SAG members and specialized crew, such as Stunt Coordinators, Talent, Studio Teachers, Minor Talent, Intimacy Coordinators, and others. Consult your professor for options.
If your script includes any of the activities below, build them into your safety plan before requesting a Certificate of Insurance (COI). Your filming plan must be approved first by your professor and then by the CTVA Production Safety Coordinator. Use the Script-Based Risk Assessment Form to create the safety plan. Additional requirements may apply depending on the script.
Conditionally Approved Activities:
Require Extra Documentation & Safety Protocols
| Activity | Basic Requirement |
|---|---|
| Animals | A certified animal wrangler must be present. Talent interacting with the animal must provide a written statement confirming they are not allergic: Animal Allergy Clearance Form. |
| Bikes and skateboards | Use only in controlled environments such as private gated property, studio backlots, designated parks, or CSUN facilities. Talent must wear helmets, rehearse, and provide a written capability statement: Talent Skills Clearance Form. |
| Driving sequences | Filming on public streets is prohibited. Picture vehicles may move only in controlled environments, such as private gated property or studio backlots. Poor Man's Process is a recommended safer alternative. Consult with Safety Coordinator. |
| Minor or cheated stunts | Provide a shot list and storyboards showing how the stunt will be cheated. Any prop weapon must be cleared before approval (see below). |
| Prop firearms | Operating firearms and explosive weapons are prohibited. Non-functional prop firearms must go through CSUN Police clearance. Prop Weapons Clearance On-Campus / Prop Weapons Clearance Process Off-Campus. |
| Other prop weapons | Items such as knives, hammers, pocket knives, and syringes must complete Step 10 of the Prop Weapon Clearance Process through the CTVA Production Safety Coordinator. |
| Fog machines and hazers | Use only in intended environments. Clear use with the location owner or representative, provide masks for those who want them, and give breaks every 20-30 minutes for minors or senior talent on indoor sets. |
| Approved fog / haze machines | DF-50 Diffusion Hazer and Chauvet DJ Fog Machine are approved for indoor/outdoor use. |
Conditionally Excluded Activities:
Need Additional Review and Strict Protocols
Some activities are excluded from coverage unless strict protocols and professional supervision are in place. Approval can take up to 10 business days.
If your script includes these activities, submit the Script-Based Risk Assessment Form and the Location-Based Risk Assessment Form, plus storyboards, overheads, shot lists, and location photos as part of your safety plan.
| Activity | Extra Review Requirement |
|---|---|
| Complex stunts or fight sequences | A Stunt Coordinator must choreograph the work. Submit the coordinator's contact information, resume, IMDb page, shot list, storyboards and/or overheads. Stunt doubles or safety equipment may also be required. |
| Non-owned rented stationary watercraft under 26 feet | Watercraft must be 26 feet or smaller, docked, and stationary. No movement is allowed. Approval is case by case. |
The following activities are typically excluded from CTVA insurance coverage and are not permitted without prior review and written approval from your professor, the CTVA Board, and the Safety Greenlight Process. Exceptions are rare and reviewed case by case.
• Rigging: Rigging of any kind on picture vehicles is not permitted unless reviewed and approved in advance. Cameras must be on sticks/tripod outside the vehicle or handheld by an operator inside the vehicle.
• Drones and aircraft: Drones and any manned or unmanned aircraft are not permitted unless specifically reviewed and approved in writing.
• Depictions of sexual abuse or molestation: These depictions are generally not permitted. Exception requests require thorough content and safety review and are highly unlikely to be approved.
• Filming outside the United States: International filming is generally not covered and is reviewed case by case.
• Rented watercraft over 26 feet and in motion: Not permitted unless cleared through the Safety Greenlight Process with appropriate insurance documentation.
• 3-ton trucks: Strictly prohibited with no exceptions. See this table for truck size classifications. Approved student production vehicle range: cargo vans up to 9 feet, box trucks up to 10 feet, and 2-ton box trucks from 14 to 16 feet.
IMPORTANT: CSUN does not provide auto insurance for production vehicles. If your project includes picture vehicles, they must be cleared during the Safety Greenlight Process, and you must procure your own insurance.
If there is accidental damage to a filming location, rented equipment, CSUN/CTVA equipment, props, set dressing, or costumes, the Student Producer must complete and submit the Loss & Damage Report. Use the Loss & Damage Report Form and the Loss & Damage Report Flyer.
Step 1: Stop using the damaged item. Remove the item from use or close the area. Secure the object or location so the damage does not get worse.
Step 2: Take photos and gather proof. Collect photos, videos, invoices, repair estimates, replacement quotes, and asset or rental IDs if available.
Step 3: Inform the owner or rental house. Contact the owner, rental house, location representative, or department contact. Ask for an invoice, repair quote, or replacement estimate.
Step 4: Fill out the Loss & Damage Report Form. If information is not available yet, write 'Unknown' or 'Estimate Pending.'
Step 5: Check the deductible. A claim may only be considered if the cost reaches the deductible amount: $5,000 for rented equipment or property damage; $2,500 for props, set dressing, and costumes.
Step 6: Submit the packet. Email the completed form and all supporting materials to ctva_insurance@my.csun.edu. If the invoice or quote is pending, submit the report anyway and follow up in the same email chain.
Step 7: Inform your CTVA contacts. Tell your Instructor / Faculty Advisor and Safety Coordinator what happened and that the report has been submitted.
In an Emergency
• On campus: Call Campus Police at 911, then contact EH&S at (818) 677-2401.
• Off campus: Call 911 immediately, then inform your Instructor / Faculty Advisor and Safety Coordinator.
After the Emergency Is Addressed
Follow the 4-step reporting process for injuries, accidents, or illness. Use the Reporting Injury/Accident instructions, the Student Injury Report Process Flyer, and the Student Incident / Accident Report Form.