International filming locations, motorcycle riding by itsOscar-nominated actress, and physical scenes made “The Girl withthe Dragon Tattoo” the riskiest film for Fireman's Fund to insurein 2011. The movie dons the riskiest-film title even after some ofthe stunts needed to be toned down or scrapped because of insuranceconcerns.

“There was a lot of riding,” says Wendy Diaz, entertainmentunderwriting director at Fireman's Fund. “We knew that early on,and the actress was not a rider.”

Rooney Mara, nominated for an Oscar in the lead actresscategory, was not an experienced motorcycle rider before filming.According to interviews with the movie's director, Mara trained formonths on a motorcycle but that wasn't enough to keep some riskyscenes—included in the best-selling book from which the film isbased—in the film.

Diaz says any decisions to adjust or throw out stunt plans aremade mutually. The insurer of Hollywood movies for the last 85years does not tell movie-makers they can't do anything, but itdoes lay out the consequences.

“There is a lot of money to lose,” Diaz says. “This is atrilogy. You don't want to stand in the way of artistic vision, buteveryone has to be comfortable with what is going on.”

The movie was also shot in Sweden and Switzerland, creatinganother realm of risk for equipment, set, and cast transportation,as well as the risk of illness in a foreign location.

When a cast member is unable to work, then that can causeproduction delays, which can add up to millions of dollars. That iswhere an experienced insurer comes in handy.

“Fireman's Fund, [for example], insures 80 percent of U.S.films, and its credibility as experienced underwriters is respectedin the industry,” says Diaz.

“The insurer visits sets each month to stay up-to-date andmaintain its relationships, she adds. “They know we are workingwith the best interest of the client in mind.”

Other popular films of 2011 insured by Fireman's Fundinclude:

• J.Edgar
• The Rum Diary
• Tower Heist
• Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close
• Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows
• Hugo
• The Artist
• The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1

Last year's riskiest movie title went to “Salt,” starringAngelina Jolie. The distinction in past years has gone to “TheWrestler,” “Into the Wild,” “Crazy Heart,” and “IngloriousBasterds.”