Loss or corruption of client master files
Client master files can be lost or corrupted before delivery.
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Post-Production House Insurance
Your calibrated display or storage array can need repair without resolving what happened to a client's master. Equipment, file-restoration and professional terms should separate physical hardware, security incidents and an error in the finished grade, edit or mix.
Map master-file custody, backups and vendor access from intake to delivery, with actual edit, grade and mix duties.
Industry overview
You provide finishing services including color-grading and mixing for clients who entrust you with their master files. A data incident that exposes unreleased material or a studio equipment failure can delay your delivery and impact your reputation.
The Southern Agency can review your post-production workflow and data storage to help you select appropriate insurance. For example, we can discuss how cyber liability may help after an incident involving client masters, while professional liability may help with claims of service errors.
Risks worth discussing
Leak of unreleased content
A system breach can expose unreleased content.
Errors and omissions in final deliverables
Editing, color or sound errors can lead to a claim over the finished deliverable.
Storage and system failure
Storage arrays and workstations may fail near a deadline.
Damage to calibrated suite equipment
Calibrated suites, displays, and audio equipment can be damaged.
Ransomware locking the pipeline
Ransomware can lock the editing pipeline and disrupt projects.
Coverage worth discussing
Policies to ask about. Which ones fit depends on your operations, your contracts, and the carrier’s forms.
- Professional Liability InsuranceMay help defend you against claims alleging errors in your mixing, grading or editing services that caused a financial loss to a client.
- Cyber Liability InsuranceMay help with response costs or claims following a security incident involving your client's master files. You must review your storage and restoration terms.
- Commercial Property InsuranceMay pay for physical damage to your studios, workstations, and displays. Digital files are a separate exposure that requires specific attention.
- Equipment Breakdown InsuranceMay help pay for repairs to production or storage equipment after a sudden covered failure. File restoration costs are handled separately.
- Business Owners PolicyMay combine property and liability for your facility. It does not replace the need for dedicated cyber or media liability coverage.
- Inland Marine InsuranceMay cover portable equipment while it is traveling to other locations, subject to your transit terms.
Situations to think through
These hypothetical examples are not agency claim results. Whether a loss is covered depends on the facts, policy terms, and applicable exclusions.
Hypothetical: Master files corrupted before delivery
Master files are corrupted before delivery and the client alleges that editing or storage work caused loss. Professional-liability coverage may defend a covered service claim; restoring a unique file or re-creating footage is not automatically insured.
Hypothetical: Pre-release content leaked
Pre-release content is leaked from a post house system. Cyber coverage may help with approved response costs if the content, system, event, and required reporting fit the policy.
Before you talk to an agent
Questions to raise
- Map master files from intake through backup, editing, delivery, and deletion, including vendors with access.
- Review professional-liability wording against editing, grading, mixing, and delivery services promised to clients.
- Ask what failure must occur before equipment-breakdown or business-income terms apply; file restoration is a separate question.
- List calibrated and portable equipment by value, location, and ownership.
Contract terms to check
- Review client terms for file custody, backup, security, access, delivery, and what happens after corruption or a leak.
- Check confidentiality and incident-notice duties for vendors who store or transfer masters.
- Compare requested E&O limits with the included services and reporting terms; a contract does not establish coverage.
What the agent conversation looks like
Start with the work you do and the questions your current policies leave unanswered. Carrier options depend on your location, risk, and underwriting. Explore our approach.
- ListenReview your operations, current coverage, and past claims.
- AssessIdentify potential hazards and discuss ways to reduce risk.
- BuildDiscuss policy and carrier options, premium costs, and audits.
- SupportReview changes and help you plan ahead as your needs develop.
Questions owners ask
How does insurance protect client master files we hold?
Client masters in your custody create service and data risks. Professional-liability or cyber wording may apply to different claims; data recovery is not automatically included.
Why does a post house need cyber coverage?
A post house holds unreleased content and connected systems. Cyber coverage may help with response costs after an event involving covered content, systems, and vendors.
What if a storage array fails on deadline?
Equipment-breakdown coverage may help pay repairs after a covered sudden failure of listed storage equipment. Data restoration and business-income terms are separate.
Do clients require us to carry E&O?
A client contract may require E&O limits, but the contract does not determine an insurer’s grant. Compare the requested work and limits with the form.
Is portable equipment covered off site?
Portable equipment may need coverage away from the suite. Check scheduled items, locations, transit and territory.
How do I get a quote?
Prepare project volume, revenue, master-file storage, security/backup controls, equipment values, staff, and loss history for an insurer’s review.
Talk through your post-production house coverage
Bring your questions, current policies, and relevant contracts. An agent can review coverage terms, exclusions, and the information carriers ask for, then explain the options available to you.