Insurance in Reality

Big Brother has become synonymous with British summertime, with further histrionics, mind-games and attention-seeking from fame-hungry members of the public. However, while the tasks and punishments of the creators and producers of the reality television show provide us with flimsy entertainment throughout the duration of the series, what kind of insurance coverage is put in place in the instance that something should go completely awry?

Responsibility for the welfare and protection of the housemates, however irritating, falls to the production company who must ensure that they have acquired the adequate insurance to cover all eventualities, which inside the Big Brother house is an inevitablity. The primary factor to consider in the organisation and execution of any Reality TV programme, is to make sure that an insurance policy will cover a contestant falling ill or suffering an injury, which may prevent them from continuing to participate in the programme and the subsequent costs of finding a replacement, possibly at very short notice.

In light of this, a production company will tend to get a physician to complete a full health check on all contestants prior to beginning the filming process, in order to assess their fitness and ability to take part in any tasks or activities, which require physical and sporting competence. In terms of the more strenuous and physically-demanding tasks set by Big Brother, the production company would need to ensure that their insurance policy also included personal accident cover.

Should a contestant sustain an injury while they are taking part in the programme, if they put in a claim they could expect to receive a weekly benefit if the grievance is deemed minor, or they could be entitled to a lump sum if they endure a serious accident. The lump sum will usually be capped, and this is generally calculated as a percentage of what the contestant typically earns. When looking at the personal accident aspects of the policy and claim, the insurer will charge the premiums based on the level of risk associated with the activity which the contestant undertook, in addition to the contestant themselves taking into account their age, weight and fitness level.

Big Brother has seen many participants come onto the show and then leave after a very short time, in a number of publicity-grabbing stunts as well as general walk-outs due to dissatisfaction. Contestant 'walk-cover' is an additional facet of the insurance policy in the event that a contestant walks off the programme and refuses to participate, however it is surprisingly rarely purchased leading to huge expenses being incurred by the production company.

From a legal and liability standpoint, the production company is required to demonstrate that they have made every effort to properly identify every detail about the individuals whom they are hiring to take part in their programme, in order to limit and control any potential risks. This is due to the fact that working closely, and on a daily basis, with members of the public can be extremely unpredictable compared with the trained and professional actors more commonly employed by television companies, who understand what is expected of them while on set. Therefore, the production companies who undertake such projects as Big Brother must make sure that they have covered all areas, so as to safeguard themselves from a risk management point of view.

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