Production insurance for the permit and the shoot.

Shooting on state property

State parks and beaches, Caltrans roads and other state property are permitted through the California Film Commission. The CFC says anyone engaged in commercial (profit and sale) photography on state property, whether still, motion picture or digital, needs its permit, students included. Apply at least four business days before the first prep or shoot day. Caltrans ramp and lane closures need at least 12 business days, and freeway closures need at least 16.

The CFC wants all insurance documents with the application:

• A certificate of insurance showing general liability of not less than $1,000,000 for each occurrence, with the State of California as certificate holder.
• A separate endorsement naming the State of California, including its officers, agents and employees, as additional insured for filming operations on state owned or operated property.
• Proof of workers' compensation, or a Workers Compensation Statement of Exemption if the company has no employees. See workers' compensation insurance.
• If vehicles are used, owned, hired and non-owned auto liability of not less than $1,000,000 for each accident, through commercial auto insurance.
• For a drone, specific UAS coverage listing the aircraft, with a limit of at least $2,000,000. See drone insurance. A hired helicopter or fixed-wing company must provide aviation insurance of not less than $5,000,000 for each accident.
• On interstate highways, FHWA approval is required and takes at least 30 days, and a separate certificate must include the United States Department of Transportation, FHWA and Caltrans as additional insureds.

A school may provide the documents for student films; if it can't provide all three, the student must. Outside California, rules vary by state and city film office, so I check the issuing office first.

Set safety rules underwriters ask about

Underwriters ask about stunts, firearms and water. California puts much of the answer in writing.

• An IIPP for every employer. Labor Code 6401.7 says every employer shall establish, implement and maintain an effective injury prevention program, in writing except in limited cases. It must name who is responsible, find hazards through scheduled periodic inspections, correct unsafe conditions in a timely manner, train workers, let them report hazards without fear of reprisal, and ensure compliance.
• Firearms rules for all productions. SB 132 (2023) added Labor Code 9150 to 9161. Its firearms and ammunition rules took effect January 1, 2025, for all motion picture production in California. Only a qualified property master, armorer or assistant property master, who keeps custody of firearms and blanks, may hand a firearm to a performer. A safety meeting is required when firearms are in a scene, and live ammunition is prohibited except in narrow cases. Anyone who handles or works near firearms must complete the CSATF Firearms Safety Course or an approved equivalent, paid for by the employer.
• Safety advisors on tax-credit shoots. Employers receiving a credit under the California Film and Television Tax Credit Program 4.0 are in a safety pilot running July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2030. Each production needs a dedicated safety advisor and a written general risk assessment. A specific risk assessment is required for firearms, major pyrotechnics and explosives, major stunts, process shot moves, aircraft or trains, off-road vehicles, watercraft in open water or people underwater for long periods, and workweeks over 60 hours. The advisor sends a final safety evaluation report to the Industry-Wide Labor-Management Safety Committee and the California Film Commission within 60 days after filming ends.

Cal/OSHA enforces these rules. A current risk assessment answers many underwriting questions. Pair it with general liability matched to the schedule.