Damage Waiver Terms | Black Dolphin Rentals Damage Waiver (BDDW) | Camera & Lighting Rental Protection – Black Dolphin Rentals LA

Black Dolphin Damage Waiver (BDDW) – Terms & Conditions

This page explains how the optional Black Dolphin Damage Waiver (“BDDW”) works, what it covers, and what it does not cover. It is a contractual waiver offered by Black Dolphin Creative LLC (dba Black Dolphin Rentals) for certain accidental damage to rental equipment. It is not insurance.

The BDDW is an add-on you can choose at checkout on eligible orders. It is designed to reduce the amount you would owe if covered accidental damage happens during your rental. It does not cover theft, loss, disappearance, or grossly negligent/intentional damage. These terms form part of, and are subject to, the Rental Agreement & Coverage.

1. Waiver Pricing & Coverage

When available for your order, you may be offered the Black Dolphin Damage Waiver at checkout. Availability depends on the total replacement value, type of gear, and your rental history.

  • Black Dolphin Damage Waiver (BDDW) – $59 per order
    • Price: $59 per rental order (flat, not per item).
    • Coverage limit: Up to $5,000 in covered accidental physical damage per rental order.
    • Deductible: $1,000 per rental order, payable by you.
    • Typical use: Most small to mid-range camera, lens, and lighting builds (for example, FX3 body/lens kits, Aputure kits, etc.).
    • Term: Applies only to the continuous rental period on that order (typically up to 5 consecutive days), as shown on your invoice.

For higher-value packages or certain categories of gear, we may require a production insurance Certificate of Insurance (COI) instead of, or in addition to, BDDW. In those cases, BDDW (if offered) will only apply to covered accidental damage within its stated limits and will not replace the need for a COI or other financial coverage.

For some higher-value or higher-risk rentals (for example, where total replacement value is approximately US $5,000 or more, or where renter history or other factors increase risk), we may require one or more of the following before releasing Equipment:

  • A valid COI naming us (and, if applicable, an upstream vendor) as Additional Insured and Loss Payee; and/or
  • Purchase of BDDW for the applicable order; and/or
  • A security deposit or card authorization hold in an amount we deem reasonable based on the order.

For very high-value rentals (for example, where total replacement value materially exceeds US $30,000), we will generally require active production insurance (a COI) regardless of whether you purchase BDDW or have a rental history with us. In those cases, BDDW (if available) is a secondary benefit that may reduce out-of-pocket exposure for some accidental damage, but it does not replace the need for a COI or other financial coverage.

2. What BDDW Is (and Is Not)

  • Not insurance. BDDW is not an insurance policy and is not a substitute for a production insurance policy. It is a contractual waiver by Black Dolphin Creative LLC (dba Black Dolphin Rentals) of certain charges for covered accidental damage under the conditions below.
  • Optional add-on. You are not required to purchase BDDW. You may rely on your own insurance, a COI, a security deposit, or your own financial resources as described in the Rental Agreement & Coverage.
  • Limited in scope. BDDW only applies to accidental physical damage to the rented equipment that occurs during the covered rental period. It does not apply to theft, loss, disappearance, or non-return of equipment.

3. Covered Accidental Damage

Subject to the coverage limit and deductible above, BDDW may apply to unexpected, unintentional physical damage that occurs during normal, careful use of the gear in the course of your production.

Examples of damage that may be covered (subject to our inspection and final determination):

  • Camera body or lens is dropped and sustains impact damage.
  • A light stand is knocked over and a light head cracks or breaks.
  • Rigging or mounting slips and damages a piece of gear despite reasonable setup and care.

Normal Wear vs. Damage

  • Normal wear & tear (minor cosmetic scuffs or marks that do not affect the performance or safety of the gear) is not treated as damage and does not require BDDW.
  • Optics: Any chips, cracks, or scratches on front/rear elements, or on optical coatings, are always treated as damage, not normal wear.

4. What Is Not Covered

Even if you purchase BDDW, you remain fully responsible for any loss, cost, or damage that falls into one or more of the exclusions below. In these cases, BDDW does not apply, and you will be charged for the full repair or replacement cost, plus any associated fees, as allowed under the Rental Agreement & Coverage.

  • Theft, loss, or disappearance. Any situation where equipment is stolen, lost, not returned, or cannot be accounted for at check-in (including “mysterious disappearance”) is not covered.
  • Failure to return gear. If you do not return the gear when due, and/or we are unable to recover it from you or your production, this is treated as loss or theft, not damage.
  • Sub-renting or loaning gear. Any damage, theft, or loss that occurs while the gear is in the custody of another party (e.g., if you sub-rent or loan it out) without our prior written consent is excluded.
  • Use outside the United States. Any damage, theft, or loss occurring outside the United States is not covered by BDDW.
  • Environmental exposure. Damage from water, moisture, salt, sand, mud, dust, smoke, or similar environmental exposure (including rain or splash) is excluded.
  • Temperature & climate. Damage from extreme heat or cold, condensation, or improper storage (e.g., leaving gear in a hot car) is excluded.
  • Shipping and transit damage. Damage that occurs during shipment via a third-party carrier (e.g., UPS, FedEx, courier) is not covered; such damage should be addressed through the carrier’s damage claim process.
  • Intentional or reckless damage. Any damage caused by intentional misuse, gross negligence, or reckless behavior is excluded.
  • Fraud or illegal use. Any damage or loss connected to fraud, misrepresentation, or illegal activity is excluded.
  • Manufacturer defects & normal mechanical failure. BDDW does not apply to manufacturer defects or normal mechanical failures. In those cases, we will treat it as a gear issue on our end.
  • Indirect losses. BDDW does not cover any indirect or consequential losses such as lost footage, lost income, reshoots, or production delays.

5. Limits, Deductibles & How Claims Work

  • Per-order limit. The coverage limit (up to $5,000) applies per rental order, not per item, and only to covered accidental damage during the active rental period.
  • Deductible. For any covered claim, you are responsible for the $1,000 deductible amount, which will be charged to the card on file at or after check-in.
  • Our determination. After gear is returned, we will inspect it. We determine, in good faith, whether damage is covered by BDDW, whether it is excluded, and whether gear will be repaired or replaced.
  • Valuation. Replacement costs are generally based on then-current market replacement value for equivalent gear. Repair costs are based on quotes from authorized repair facilities or trusted vendors.
  • If BDDW does not apply. If we determine that damage is not covered by BDDW (e.g., it falls under an exclusion), we may refund the BDDW fee for that order and you will be responsible for the full cost of repair or replacement, as described in the Rental Agreement.

6. Relationship to COIs, Deposits & Your Card on File

  • COIs remain primary on higher-value orders. For many higher-value orders, a production insurance Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming Black Dolphin Creative LLC (dba Black Dolphin Rentals) as Additional Insured and Loss Payee is required. In those cases, BDDW (if available) is a secondary benefit and does not replace the need for a COI or other financial coverage, especially where total replacement value is significantly higher than the BDDW limit.
  • Security holds & charges. As described in the Rental Agreement, we may place a security hold on your card and charge your card for applicable deductibles, uncovered damages, loss, theft, or replacement costs after reasonable notice.
  • Other coverage tools. We may use any combination of COIs, deposits, BDDW, security holds, and your card on file to manage the financial risk of a rental. Purchasing BDDW does not guarantee we will not require a COI or deposit for certain orders.

7. Acceptance of BDDW Terms

By selecting and paying for BDDW at checkout, or by signing any rental quote or invoice that includes BDDW, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Black Dolphin Damage Waiver (BDDW) Terms & Conditions, in addition to the Rental Agreement & Coverage and all other applicable policies on this site.

If you have questions about whether BDDW makes sense for your specific production, please email la@blackdolphinrentals.com or text (323) 303-2382 and we’ll walk through it with you before you book.