Crew Vehicle Insurance: What Freelancers Need to Know
Most crew rely on their own vehicles to get to set, move between locations, and transport gear. It’s part of the job, whether you’re carrying a few essentials or a full load of equipment.
But once your car is being used for work, insurance can get a lot more complicated than it seems. What feels like normal, everyday use may actually be considered “business use” by insurers, and that can affect whether you’re covered at all.
To help clarify how this works in practice, our partners at Gallagher Insurance shared guidance on some of the most common questions from crew.
Is My Vehicle Private Use or Business Use?
Gallagher says Insurance policies vary, but it usually depends on how you’re using the vehicle. There are a few common issues: tools of trade, fare paying passengers, soliciting sales, delivering goods.
One Private Motor policy wording we checked says: “Your vehicle is not covered when being used for any activities in connection with a profession, occupation, or business.”
Private Use includes standard commuting, such as a worker transporting a briefcase or laptop. By contrast, a plumber using their van for work purposes would clearly fall under Business Use.
Crew members and film freelancers often cross into Business Use territory when they use their vehicles to transport tools of trade or deliver goods. If you’re relying on a Private Motor policy, insurers may decline any claims.
It’s important to note that a vehicle doesn’t need to be owned commercially or taxed as a work vehicle to be considered Business Use by Insurers.
Insurance for Equipment in Vehicles
Gallagher has received several questions on this topic, one example as below:
“If equipment is damaged in a vehicle accident or stolen from a vehicle, which insurance policy typically responds – Motor or Equipment?”
In this case, Gallagher Responds:
Generally, it’s the Equipment cover that responds to loss or damage to equipment, while the Motor policy covers damage to the vehicle itself. Permanently fixed equipment, such as racking or vehicle fit-outs, should be noted on the Motor policy as modifications.
Your policies may include specific conditions regarding the security and storage of Equipment in vehicles and you should ensure these are met.
Our standard Film Equipment cover does not have specific conditions around storage in motor vehicles, just that “all reasonable care” is taken to prevent a claim. We would expect that the gear is out of the sight, and the vehicle is locked. Ideally where possible, we would not recommend keeping gear in vehicles overnight.
How Does Vehicle Compliance Affect Insurance Claims?
A question Gallagher hears often is:
“How does vehicle compliance e.g., WOF, registration, RUC affect the validity of an insurance claim in the event of an accident?”
Gallagher responds:
Although usually not specifically excluded, our general advice is that vehicles must be driven legally at all times. Policy conditions include clauses such as: “the Insured must take all reasonable steps to protect the Insured Vehicle from loss and to avoid liability.”
Issues may arise at claim time if an accident is directly related to non-compliance. For example, if a vehicle fails its WOF due to faulty headlights and the issue isn’t rectified, Insurers could reasonably decline a claim resulting from poor visibility.
Motor policies do not cover wear and tear, maintenance, or gradual deterioration.
Recommendations from Gallagher for Freelancers Using Vehicles for Work
- Avoid relying on private motor insurance unless you meet all criteria at all times. Commercial motor cover is broader, covering both personal and business use, often at a similar or lower cost.
- Take care when working on production. Don’t assume your vehicle is insured, as approaches vary between productions.
- Ensure your equipment is comprehensively insured. Don’t assume production is covering it unless there is a clear agreement in place.
- Familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions of your policies, including any special conditions and exclusions.
- Be cautious when asking others to transport goods or equipment in their private vehicles. If they are uninsured and have a claim, you may be held liable.
- Verify the driving status and insurance history of anyone driving your vehicle.
Contact Gallagher’s Film and Entertainment Team
For a Commercial Motor and Equipment quotation, reach out to Gallagher’s Film and Entertainment Team – it may be more affordable than you think.
