Film Libraries Insurance

We provide bespoke cover to serve the unique needs of film libraries, with expert advice and a personal service from start to finish.

15 years with Williamson Carson
Mrs Upton
I have insured through Williamson Carson for 15 years and can not fault their friendly, considerate and professional service. They are very easy to get hold of on the phone, too; a diminishing luxury, thesedays!
excellent consistent personal
Howard T.
An excellent consistent personal first class service over the years.
Highly recommended for business insurance
MB
I had a great experience purchasing my business insurance from Willamson Carson + Whinney, thanks to Molly for making sure my questions were answered swiftly and completely and arranging the right policy for my needs. Thank you Molly!

Why use Williamson Carson for your film library insurance

  • The UK’s only insurance provider with tailored packages for film libraries
  • All policies are bespoke and designed to meet the unique needs of film libraries
  • BAPLA affiliated insurance brokers
  • All policies include breach of licence cover and breach of copyright/IP, and contain no exclusion related to the recent repeal of section 52 of the CPDA (unlike other insurance providers)

elements that can be included in your Film Library insurance package

The UK’s only Film Library insurance scheme

The UK’s only insurance policy specifically designed for film libraries and tailored for the requirements of members of BAPLA, PISCEL, and CEPIC members.

Image Photographic Film Library Insurance
Professional Indemnity Insurance for Image, Photographic & Film

Professional Indemnity for Film Libraries

Professional indemnity covers you for mistakes or allegations that you’ve made a mistake. Any old professional indemnity will NOT do. Our policies are tailored to cover the unique risks faced by film libraries. Importantly our policies always include breach of copyright should a third party allege you are using an image in breach of intellectual property (more common than you may think).

Breach of license policy extension for Film Libraries

Our policies include a unique breach of licence extension, which covers claims related to the exceeding express limitations regarding a licences e territory, duration, or media.

License Breach Policy Extension Image, Photographic & Film Libraries
Cyber Insurance for Images, Photographic &Film Libraries

Cyber insurance for Film Libraries

Ability to add cyber insurance which covers hacks and attempted hacks against your systems, database and online collections.

Public and Employers’ Liability

We can add both Public and Employers’ Liability. Public liability will protect you in cases of bodily injury or property damage associated with an incident involving your business. Employers’ liability will protect you from legal costs should an employee sustain a bodily injury in the course of their employment. These covers can be included or added as required.

Public & Employers Liablility Insurance
Office Equipment Insurance

Office and Equipment Insurance

We can also cover your office and equipment or damage or theft, with an exceptional claims service. Accidental damage included as standard in all policies. Worldwide cover available on any portable equipment.

frequently asked questions

We’ve put together some frequently asked questions regarding Film Library Insurance. We hope it’s useful.

Libraries

As a minimum, we would always suggest that a film library has professional indemnity insurance.

When a film library holds such a huge collection of footage, it’s incredibly difficult to ever be 100% sure on the origin, authenticity and clearances obtained for any clip. Unless one person has personally created all the footage, which is not the case for most large film libraries which have hundreds of contributors.

If a film library has employees, it also crucial that you have liability insurance to comply with the law. More often than not, libraries are also considering cyber insurance to protect from hacker attacks on their database and collection. In addition, if you have an office you may wish to insure the office, computers laptops etc.

Things go wrong, that’s life.

We have seen some quirky claims against film libraires in the last few years. Some practical examples –

  • Allegations a prop was an antique designer item, that required clearance from the designer’s estate.
  • Allegations clearances were not obtained on a model.
  • A cyber attack on a library which compromised their database.

A professional indemnity policy is designed to protect against any errors & omissions that may be made, and includes extensions that are very important for image libraries. These include infringement of intellectual property rights including copyright infringement, or importantly for film libraries, a breach of licence extension.

We would always recommend professional indemnity. We are seeing an increase in claims relating to copyright and intellectual property. It’s very easy for a third party to bring an allegation of negligence or breach of intellectual property, even if the grounds for doing so are unfounded. Professional indemnity would provide a legal defence in such instances.

Recent changes to section 52 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (CPDA) has also increased the onus on film libraries to ensure all items and props in an image are not subject to copyright and do not require clearance.

Public liability will protect you in cases of bodily injury or property damage associated with an incident involving your business.

Employers’ liability will protect you from legal costs should an employee sustain a bodily injury in the course of their employment.

You will need to take out Employers Liability if you have an employee. The creative industry is unique, in terms of the prevalence of freelancers. We are very cautious when it comes to employers’ liability. If you employ an extra pair of hands for a short period of time, such as assistants, we would highly recommend that you always maintain employers’ liability. Freelancers would then be covered in the same ways as employees whilst working under your supervision and control.

You will need to take out Employers Liability if you have an employee. The creative industry is unique, in terms of the prevalence of freelancers. We are very cautious when it comes to Employers’ Liability. If you employ an extra pair of hands for a short period of time, such as assistants, we would highly recommend that you always maintain employers’ liability. Freelancers would then be covered in the same ways as employees whilst working under your supervision and control.

All our quotes are personalised, and the premium is typically linked to the size of the business (often revenue). Policies can start from as little as £500 for very small collection and film libraries.

Yes, you can make changes by either calling the office or sending an email.

We do not charge Administration fees. However, an increase in cover may result in an additional premium due.

You can pay in full, by two instalments or by Direct Debit.

Providing you have been transparent with us, and declared all previous claims, it will not affect your policy with us.

We have partnered with a number of very high-quality insurers, their details will be shared on all quotes.