Helicopter insurance

Tony Brown · January 20, 2004

I've just found out that the insurance provided by the production company i'm working with is £100,000 if I'm killed whilst filming from the chopper.

Its really shocked me - when I think of the near misses I've had, even flying with the best pilots, really really shocked that they value a life so cheaply.

Can anyone give me details of cover they've received please?

Thanks.

Tony Brown · July 15, 2004

Seems the best solution to this one is to double your rate and take out your own insurance.

Eric Steelberg ASC · July 20, 2004

I can't remember but I know I had to sign something saying there was a possibility of "dismemberment, decapitation, and/or mutilation resulting in death" and had to agree not to hold the company liable. I'll never forget THAT memo.

Mitch Gross · July 20, 2004

I see waivers like that all the time in deal memos and other contracts, and I always cross them out, put my initials on the side along with a note stating that the assigning of rights is illegal in the United States. It wouldn't matter if I signed it or not, it is an illegal contract so therefore is unenforceable. They are responsible and that is that. It's called negligence, and they cannot force me or anyone else to assign away my rights to protection. Very old case law here, yet I still see it in contracts every day because there are plenty of people who don't know any better who think that they therefore cannot sue should anything happen.