Insurance requirements to film in SF

You must send us a certificate of insurance before we will process a film permit.

Requirements

The amount of insurance we require depends on the activity. At minimum, we need a certificate of insurance and endorsements as follows.

General liability

Minimum requirements:

  • $1,000,000 each occurrence
  • $2,000,000 general aggregate
  • Including evidence of Additional Insured status

Name “The City & County of San Francisco, the Port of San Francisco and each of their officers, directors, agents and employees" as additional insured. 

No waivers for general liability will be granted.

Auto liability 

Minimum requirements:

  • $1,000,000 combined single limit
  • Including evidence of Additional Insured status

Name "The City & County of San Francisco, the Port of San Francisco and each of their officers, directors, agents and employees" as additional insured. 

Auto liability can be waived if no automobiles are used during the production. This includes driving to the filming location.

Worker’s compensation

Minimum requirements:

  • Statutory Limits
  • Employer's Liability not less than $1,000,000 each accident, injury or illness
  • Including evidence of Waiver of Subrogation 

If worker’s compensation is issued by a payroll company, name the company/contractor in the description of Operations.

Worker’s compensation requirements can be waived if:

  • You do not have any employees
  • Employees are not doing any work on city property
  • You are not legally required to carry Worker’s Compensation coverage

Insurance certificate format

The name insured on your policy must match the Company or Contractor name on the film permit application. 

The Certificate Holder for all issued certificates must be:

The City and County of San Francisco
San Francisco Film Commission
City Hall Room 473
San Francisco, CA 94102

An authorized insurance representative must sign the certificate.

Waiver

If you want to request a waiver, Film SF will review each request.

You can request a waiver for:

  • Auto liability if no automobiles are used during the production, and if you're taking public transport and/or taxi or a ride-share service to, and from the location.
  • Workers compensation if not legally required, you do not have any employees, or employees are not doing any work on city property.

No waivers for general liability will be granted.

Send proof of insurance

Email the certificate of insurance to film@sfgov.org.

Call Film SF at 415-554-6241 if you have questions.

Last updated August 31, 2023

Department