Film Accounting Glossary

Loss and damage

What is loss and damage?

Also called L&D.

Loss and damage (L&D) is the budget line and the process for equipment, vehicles, locations, and property damaged or lost during production.

Each claim runs through the insurance policy's deductible, so small damages are absorbed as direct cost while larger ones are claimed. Picture-car L&D is one of the more frequent categories, and settling it needs pre-production condition documentation, which is why vendors photograph vehicles at check-out.

Example

A picture car takes $8,600 of panel damage on a stunt. Against a $10,000 policy deductible the show absorbs it as direct cost. Settling it at all depends on the vendor's check-out photographs proving the pre-existing condition.

Figures are illustrative, chosen to show the mechanics rather than to quote market rates.

Where you'll see it

Its own budget line, run through the insurance deductible. Picture-car L&D is frequent enough that condition documentation at pickup is standard practice.

Common mistake

Skipping condition documentation at pickup. Without check-out photographs, a damage claim becomes an argument about what was already there.

Related questions

Who pays for damage to a picture car?
The production, through its loss and damage line and its insurance. Below the policy deductible it is absorbed as a direct cost.
How do vendors and productions settle vehicle damage?
Against condition documentation taken at check-out and return, which is why photographing a vehicle at pickup is standard practice on both sides.

Related terms

Written and maintained by the team at Revolution Picture Cars, who budget and invoice picture-car rentals for productions. General explanation of industry practice, not tax, legal, or accounting advice. Union rates, incentive rules, and tax law change; confirm the current terms with your production accountant, your payroll company, or the relevant film office before relying on them.

Last updated August 2026.