Annual DICE Policies vs. Short‑Term Production Insurance: Which One Do You Need?
John Russo
Oct 07 2026 13:00

Annual DICE (Documentary, Industrial, Commercial, Educational) policies make sense for production companies running multiple shoots per year, while short‑term production policies are ideal for one‑off projects, music videos, or branded content campaigns with a defined start and end date. The right choice depends on your volume of work, certificate needs, budget, and whether you want ongoing coverage or project‑specific protection. If you’re shooting more than a few times a year, an annual policy often wins on both cost and convenience.

KJE Insurance places both annual DICE and short‑term production policies for companies in New York and Los Angeles, helping producers, line producers, and production coordinators choose the structure that fits how they actually work.

What an Annual DICE Policy Actually Covers

A DICE policy gives production companies a 12‑month blanket of coverage for all eligible projects they shoot within that year. It’s built for teams who work consistently — even if the projects vary in size and style.

Typical DICE policies include:

  • General liability
  • Equipment (owned and rented)
  • Props, sets & wardrobe
  • Hired/non‑owned auto
  • Inland marine coverage
  • Optional add‑ons like workers' comp, excess liability, or cyber for media companies

If your production company shoots commercials, branded content, interviews, social campaigns, or doc work year‑round, an annual DICE policy keeps your insurance stable and predictable.

Who Annual DICE Is Best For

  • Production companies shooting monthly or quarterly
  • Agencies producing ongoing branded or social content
  • Doc filmmakers capturing footage over a long period
  • Teams who constantly need COIs (cities, studios, vendors, rental houses)
  • Producers shooting in both NY and LA across multiple locations

If you're regularly asking, “Can you send another COI?” — you’re probably a DICE policy candidate.

Cost Structure of an Annual DICE Policy

Annual policies typically start around a few thousand dollars per year and scale with:

  • Total budgeted production activity
  • Equipment limits
  • Coverage extensions (e.g., drones, stunts, pyrotechnics)
  • Number of certificates needed

For companies doing consistent work, an annual policy is often more cost‑effective than buying multiple short‑term policies throughout the year.

What Short‑Term Production Policies Cover

Short‑term policies cover a single production for a defined shoot window — often just a few days or a few weeks. They're perfect for one‑off events or one‑time projects where you don’t need full‑year protection.

Short‑term policies typically include:

  • General liability
  • Equipment (owned or rented)
  • Props, sets & wardrobe
  • Optional add‑ons for stunts, animals, drones, vehicles, etc.

Who Short‑Term Policies Are Best For

  • Music videos
  • One‑off branded campaigns
  • Single-location interview shoots
  • Student films
  • Producers without a formal production company
  • Small projects that don’t justify a full annual policy

Cost Structure of Short‑Term Policies

Short‑term policies are usually priced based on:

  • Length of shoot
  • Equipment limits
  • Level of risk or special activities

They’re often cheaper for a single project — but far more expensive if you end up needing several policies throughout the year.

Certificate Turnaround: A Major Practical Difference

Producers care deeply about COI turnaround, and here’s the honest difference:

Annual DICE

  • Fast, repeatable COIs
  • Ideal for rental houses, brands, agencies, and city permits
  • Great for last‑minute location changes

Short‑Term

  • Certificates tied to that one project only
  • New policy = new COIs every time
  • Can slow you down if you’re on back‑to‑back shoots

Coverage Limits: How They Compare

Annual policies typically allow for higher limits and more robust coverage options. Short‑term policies may cap certain coverages depending on the carrier.

Annual DICE Usually Offers:

  • Higher equipment limits
  • Broader worldwide territory options
  • Higher liability and umbrella options
  • Fewer restrictions on shoot types

Short‑Term Policies Often Offer:

  • Lower base limits
  • More restrictions (e.g., no stunts or limited pyrotechnics)
  • Limited inland marine extensions unless purchased separately

Which One Makes Financial Sense?

Here’s the simplest breakdown:

Choose an Annual DICE Policy If You:

  • Shoot more than 3–4 projects a year
  • Need frequent COIs
  • Work across multiple locations
  • Rent equipment often
  • Want predictable, consistent coverage

Choose a Short‑Term Policy If You:

  • Only shoot a few times a year
  • Need coverage for a single music video, pilot, or branded campaign
  • Work under another company’s policy most of the year
  • Have a very tight project budget

Why Production Teams Choose KJE Insurance

KJE Insurance works with production companies in both New York and Los Angeles to build the right structure for their workflow. As an independent broker, we help teams compare annual DICE and short‑term options from multiple carriers and choose the one that fits their crew size, gear needs, and project volume.

You can explore our entertainment and media coverage here: Entertainment and Media Insurance. You can also see details about our Los Angeles presence here: Los Angeles.

FAQ

Are stunts covered automatically?

No. Whether annual or short‑term, stunts must be disclosed and approved.

Does DICE cover international shoots?

Often yes — but only with the right territory endorsement.

Are drones covered?

Only if aviation coverage is added.

Does a DICE policy cover E&O?

No. Errors & omissions is always a separate policy.

Can I switch from short‑term to annual mid‑year?

Yes — many producers do this after realizing they’re shooting more than expected.

If you’d like help choosing the right production insurance structure, request a quote or call 212‑786‑2018.