Location Sound & Field Recordists
Tailored insurance for Location Sound & Field Recordists. Build your own cover to suit your needs with Public Liability, Equipment Insurance and more.
Location Sound & Field Recordists
Tailored insurance for Location Sound & Field Recordists. Build your own cover to suit your needs with Public Liability, Equipment Insurance and more.
Capturing the Sound Behind the Scenes
Location sound and field recordists capture clean, high-quality audio at the source. Whether you’re working on a feature film, a TV drama, a commercial shoot or a live documentary, your recordings form the backbone of any production.
Unlike sound designers who shape audio in post, your role is about capturing it in real time, often in unpredictable environments. This puts you in a uniquely exposed position when it comes to risk.
Why Insurance Matters for Location Sound Professionals
You work with sensitive and expensive equipment: microphones, mixers, recorders and accessories, all of which can be vulnerable to damage or theft on location. You also face pressures from tight schedules, demanding shoots and multiple collaborators.
Insurance helps protect you from unexpected setbacks, whether that’s covering the cost of damaged gear, defending against claims, or replacing lost income if you can’t work. With the right cover in place, you can focus on doing what you do best – recording great sound.
Insurance to Suit You
Public Liability insurance from £84 a year for £1m cover
Or choose your own cover limit of £2m, £3m or £5m.
Up to £50k all-risk technical and portable equipment cover
Covered in the UK & EU as standard or increase cover to worldwide.
Professional Indemnity - be covered for contract disputes
Protect your reputation with Professional Indemnity insurance with either a £100,000 or £250,000 limit.
Up to £50k cover for equipment that doesn’t leave your property
Protect the contents of your business and other technical equipment that doesn’t leave your property.
Employers’ Liability cover for up to 3 PAYE employees
Our Employers’ Liability cover provides £10,000,000 of cover.
Who Needs Our Insurance?
We arrange insurance for a wide range of location sound professionals, including:
- Location Sound Mixers
- Production Sound Mixers
- Sound Recordists for Film and TV
- Freelance Field Recordists
- On-set Audio Specialists working in film, television and advertising
If your role isn’t listed but your work involves sound creation, editing or post-production, we can help you find the right cover. Call us on 0330 236 6408.
Common Risks in Location Sound & Field Recording
Some of the challenges you might encounter include:
- Equipment loss, theft or damage during shoots, often in remote or uncontrolled environments.
- Weather-related incidents affecting outdoor recording.
- Accidents on set. Cables, tripods and gear setups can all cause hazards.
- Client disputes if audio recordings are deemed unusable or delayed.
- An injury or illness is preventing you from completing a project.
Even with careful preparation, these risks can impact your work and your income if you’re not protected.
Why Choose Mode Insurance?
We understand the demands of working in production and location sound. From unpredictable outdoor shoots to the fast pace of film and TV sets, your work environment is far from straightforward.
Our insurance solutions are built with audiovisual freelancers and small businesses in mind, offering flexible cover that reflects the reality of your job.
Practical Advice for Location Sound & Field Recordists
Alongside insurance, there are practical steps that can help reduce risk:
Carry protective cases and weatherproofing to shield equipment on location.
Use risk assessments for new or complex environments.
Have spare equipment and batteries to avoid downtime on shoots.
Back up recordings daily to prevent data loss.
Keep contracts clear about your responsibilities for audio quality and delivery.
Latest guides
FAQs
Below we have listed the most common questions we get from our customers about insurance for sound recordists.
Why should I get a quote from Mode Insurance?
Our coverage is flexible and can be adjusted to suit periods of intense project work or times when you're between projects. Additionally, our policies are specifically designed for the creative industry and are suited to a wide range of professions.
Can I adjust my insurance coverage as my professional needs change?
Absolutely! We understand that the life of a creative freelancer is ever-changing. That’s why our insurance plans are designed to be as flexible as your career. You can choose from short-term options for specific projects or opt for longer-term coverage. Adjustments can be made to suit your current professional situation, whether you're scaling up your operations or downsizing.
Do I need Public Liability insurance?
Whether you need Public Liability insurance depends on the nature of your business. It's not a legal requirement, but it's particularly important if your business activities involve interaction with clients, customers or members of the public. This could be as simple as working from a coffee shop, all the way to working in a large stadium or event space.
How much Public Liability insurance cover do I need?
The amount of coverage you need depends on your business type, size and the specific risks involved. Typically, businesses opt for cover ranging from £1 million to £5 million, but it's best to assess your individual business needs.
You may find a minimum coverage amount specified in a contract that you are looking to secure as many other businesses, venues or local authorities will stipulate the amount of Public Liability insurance you need.
Is Public Liability insurance a legal requirement?
No, Public Liability insurance is not a legal requirement for most businesses in the UK. However, it can be important due to the financial protection it offers against claims from the public.
You may also find that Public Liability insurance is required by some clients, suppliers and partners before you work with them.
What is the difference between Public Liability and Professional Indemnity insurance?
Public Liability insurance covers injury or damage to third parties and their property, while Professional Indemnity insurance protects against claims of professional negligence or poor advice.
Can I get Public Liability insurance for one day?
Yes, one day Public Liability insurance is becoming increasingly popular and most businesses can obtain cover specifically for one day. This is ideal for short-term events like workshops, pop-up shops or a shoot you are organising.
This is great for budgeting and charging your clients as you know exactly how much the insurance has cost for the specific job.
Which type of creative freelancers need Equipment Insurance?
If your work requires the use of expensive specialist equipment, such as Photography Equipment, Film Equipment, laptops microphones and more, then Equipment Insurance can help provide peace of mind that you can repair or replace any of your important work tools if they are stolen, lost or accidentally damaged.
How much Equipment Insurance cover do I need?
This will depend on the value of your equipment and how much it would cost to replace it all if it were stolen, lost or accidentally damaged.
We can provide up to £50k of Equipment Insurance to cover all of your vital work gear.
What equipment is covered?
The policy covers the equipment you need to keep your business up and running that you take away from the premises.
Some examples of equipment that can be covered are:
- Communication tools, such as desktops, laptops, mobiles, and tablets
- Essential work equipment, such as graphic tablets and hairdressing equipment
- Photography equipment, such as including cameras, lighting, and staging equipment
- Accessories, such as lenses, lighting rigs, etc.
- Cameras and ancillary equipment
- PA, sound and lighting equipment
- Portable electrical equipment
- Mechanical effects equipment
- Grip equipment
- Props, sets and wardrobes
- Makeup and prosthetics
- Editing and recording equipment
- Video and broadcast equipment
Who needs Professional Indemnity insurance?
Creative professionals who provide advice, consultancy work or work under a contract with a client can consider Professional Indemnity insurance.
This includes, but is not limited to, graphic designers, photographers and marketing consultants.
How much does Professional Indemnity insurance cost?
The cost of Professional Indemnity insurance varies based on factors like your profession, the level of risk and the amount of coverage needed.
How much Professional Indemnity insurance do I need?
The amount of cover required depends on your business size, the clients you work with, the types of contracts you work under and the potential risks involved in your services. It's a good idea to assess the maximum claim you could face and choose a limit that can comfortably cover this.
With Mode Insurance you can choose a Professional Indemnity insurance cover limit of either £100,000 or £250,000, depending on your needs and requirements.
Do I need Employers’ Liability insurance?
If you employ anyone, even on a casual or part-time basis, the law typically requires you to have Employers' Liability insurance. This means that you have at least the minimum cover if an employed person makes a claim against you.
What does Employers’ Liability insurance cover?
Employers’ liability insurance can provide cover for:
- Compensation if an employee claims for injury or illness caused while working for you.
- Fees for your legal representation at any coroner’s inquest of fatal accident inquiry and proceedings in any court of summary jurisdiction arising out of any alleged breach of statutory duty.
- The claimants’ legal costs for which you are legally liable.