Question about CCW Safe self defense "insurance"

Read all the fine print , seek interpretations for all statements not perfectly clear. Insurance companies always leave themselves a way out , they like your money and are loath to part with it.
I paid home owners insurance for 35 years , never made any claims, my house was damaged by hurricane Issac . Not flood damage but a falling tree. It did $4000.00 worth of damage . My claim was denied because the fine print had a special deductible clause for "Named Hurricanes ". $5000.00 deductible ! They slipped that one by me !
I never missed a payment in 35 years and yet they weaseled out and paid me nothing...the good hands people take care of themselves.
So read and understand that fine print and legal speak.

My opinion....insurance is a suckers bet and the deck is stacked hard in the insurance companies favor .
Gary

Not only did you get bent, if you get decide to ditch your current company and get quotes, this "claim" will show on your record and all prospective companies can see it. It doesn't matter whether you received any money for the claim or not, it goes into a database. Insurance and sign installation is what I'm going into in my next life. Nothing against sign installers, they just seem to have an endless supply of work!

No one, and I mean no one, should have to eat peanut butter and jelly on wheat bread.
 
I just called FEDS and found out that protecting innocents or assisting law enforcement is covered under the LEOSA statutes so they are covered.

Further, they use the law firm of Schertler & Onorato, a top rated D.C. law firm, to represent their clients rather than farming the cases out.

This appears to be my best option. Of course, everyone's mileage may vary.

ETA:

I enrolled. Now I've got a little more peace of mind. Glad that's done.
 
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In defense of others is interesting right. I would think if another is in danger, might I not be next? So if I'm proactive in taking out the subject, while he/she is victimizing someone else, and perhaps me next, am I not still covered??? I don't expect an answer, here of course. It's just for one to ponder.

I'm not against insurance and will be giving it some thought. When I took a home defense class a police LT explained that for a righteous shoot, with the wrong DA, you could spend $75,000 without blinking an eye. I have found a great insurance company for my guns, now I guess I should insure my rights as well. Ugh...
 
I'd like to hear from somebody who has made a claim . . .

I hear ya, MM.

Not the same thing but let me provide a quasi-related anecdote.

Years ago, FLEOA, the same professional organization for federal law enforcement that now endorses the FEDS PLI insurance, brought a law suit against the government for failing to pay its special agents and LEOs what they were due under its own Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). I and many others were victims of this behavior.

To join the lawsuit one had to provide some info with a payment of $25. I figured it was less than I spent in the local watering hole on a Friday night with the boys so I sent it in. My partner didn't.

Many years later, I had even forgot about the darn thing, I got a letter stating I was going to begin receiving compensation. What I got back for my $25 fee was several thousand dollars.

My partner got nothing as he wasn't enrolled as a party to the suit.

I look at this LEOSA PLI the same way. If I never use it it's water under the bridge. In my case $400.

If I do need it, that $400 provides me with the legal services of a well respected firm, up to $50,000 in criminal defense costs and $250,000 in court costs and civil liability judgments.

If I ever have to avail myself of those services that'll be the best $400 I ever spent.

I've done my due diligence as far as my own limited researching ability has allowed and this particular PLI policy seems reasonable in its scope and fair at its price. I hope I never find out if I was right or wrong.

YMMV, of course.
 
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I'm going to suggest a different approach and what is I think a better and more cost effective option.

Ask around and find a good criminal defense attorney in your area who is well versed with self defense law and the use of deadly force by armed citizens. Then meet with that attorney and pay a retainer up front to ensure his services in the event you ever need them.

Unless you look or act shady, he or she is going to view it as a very low probability that you'll ever have need for those services, so the retainer should be pretty small - on the order of $100-$150. On top of the $100-$150 or so you'll pay for the legal consult, you're only going to be out $250-$300 in up front costs.

How does this save you money? Three ways:

1) During this initial meeting your prospective attorney will tell you exactly what to do if you are ever involved in a shoot, and he or she may review the use of deadly force with you. Having that legal advice in advance makes your attorney's job a lot easier and it will often prevent your prosecution.

2) After a shoot, since you followed that advice, didn't talk your head off at the scene and waited for your attorney to arrive, your case will be much less complicated and much easier to defend, which will save you a lot of money you would have otherwise paid in legal fees.

3) instead of paying $150 a year for insurance you'll probably never need, and if needed you may not even benefit from, just bank the money in a savings account. In ten years you'll have $1,500 plus interest that is on tap for legal fees, etc if needed. In 20 years it'll be $3,000 plus interest, and if you never need it, it's still money in the bank.
 
An umbrella policy might cover a self-defense shooting.

If, God forbid, one is in a self-defense shooting, an axiom is if you win the (any) criminal case, you'll win the civil case.

I'd rather save money for the best criminal and civil attorneys. And I'd avoid prepaid legal insurance. You won't get the best because the best do not participate in such policies.
 
BB57, considering that most LEOSA cases cost in the area of $10,000, (from a legal source I read online), you'll only have to hope you don't have a problem for 66.66 years.

Yes, I know I'm being facetious but realistically $10,000 is going to be on the lower end of the spectrum and while saving money is always good, if you need coverage "now" you're going to regret not having the PLI for not much more of an out of pocket cost than the $150 you were earmarking. (There are policies out there that are in that price range.)

BTW, someone in a post above asked about the financial health of the companies underwriting some of these policies and wondered if they'd be around when you need them...

...I checked before enrolling and the insurance company behind the policy I elected has the highest rating. (I'm still not a big fan of insurance companies by any means but I'm not about to drop my homeowner's policy either.)
 
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An umbrella policy might cover a self-defense shooting.

If, God forbid, one is in a self-defense shooting, an axiom is if you win the (any) criminal case, you'll win the civil case.

I'd rather save money for the best criminal and civil attorneys. And I'd avoid prepaid legal insurance. You won't get the best because the best do not participate in such policies.

Umbrella policy will not cover an intentional act. Self defense shooting is an intentional act. (I have an umbrella policy.)

If you do your due diligence you may find that the firm that will represent you is a good one.

This is the firm that handles criminal and civil cases on the policy I elected. Scroll down their page and look at their rating. I was told the cases are not farmed out.
 
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CCW Membership

I have been a member of CCW Safe for now going on four years, my girlfriend is in her second year! Service and response to questions is excellent, the benefits offered as well as the non coverage areas are clearly spelled out.

The only external communications via email are training, situational, crisis videos which are very informative. Also when there is a high profile addition to their staff. There are no messages or communications from CCW about upgrades, or any other pressure sales pitch.

Although I hope to never have to use this service I am prepared, trained in the used of the proper tools if such an eventuality was to come my way! More importantly I believe that having CCW Safe truly completes this safety loop.

In conclusion: each and everyone of you needs to do your own research and due diligence and decide what is best for you and your budget.

Long live the Republic.
 
I have a fire extinguisher in both my vehicles, in my house, and a CCW Safe membership card in my wallet. I have had a couples membership for the last 4 years. Just like the extinguishers, I hope I never need to use it, but it's there if needed.
 
To the OP: you asked four legitimate questions but I don't see them answered in any of the posts/replies. Both companies you referenced have 800 phone numbers. I'd recommend calling them to get an "official" answer to your questions.

As an aside, I found by reading the "fine print" on some of these type policies that the policy may become null and void and provide no coverage whatsoever if you are "under the influence of alcohol". Not knee walking drunk mind you or even over the legal limit for impaired/intoxicated, just "under the influence". So if I walked into my house after work, popped a top on a cold one, had even one swallow of beer and then found myself in need of armed defense against a bad guy in the house, a policy like this would offer me no protection as I would have a MINUTE amount of alcohol in my system if tested by authorities and thus be "under the influence". Exactly how and by whom the determination is made in a case like this to test someone's blood alcohol level is unknown to me but I'd hate to find out in this manner that the protection I thought I owned was non-existent.

Ask for a COMPLETE COPY OF THE POLICY AND EXCLUSIONS and read and understand it before paying for "coverage". My $0.02, FWIW.
 
I'm going to suggest a different approach and what is I think a better and more cost effective option.

Ask around and find a good criminal defense attorney in your area who is well versed with self defense law and the use of deadly force by armed citizens. Then meet with that attorney and pay a retainer up front to ensure his services in the event you ever need them.

Unless you look or act shady, he or she is going to view it as a very low probability that you'll ever have need for those services, so the retainer should be pretty small - on the order of $100-$150. On top of the $100-$150 or so you'll pay for the legal consult, you're only going to be out $250-$300 in up front costs.

How does this save you money? Three ways:

1) During this initial meeting your prospective attorney will tell you exactly what to do if you are ever involved in a shoot, and he or she may review the use of deadly force with you. Having that legal advice in advance makes your attorney's job a lot easier and it will often prevent your prosecution.

2) After a shoot, since you followed that advice, didn't talk your head off at the scene and waited for your attorney to arrive, your case will be much less complicated and much easier to defend, which will save you a lot of money you would have otherwise paid in legal fees.

3) instead of paying $150 a year for insurance you'll probably never need, and if needed you may not even benefit from, just bank the money in a savings account. In ten years you'll have $1,500 plus interest that is on tap for legal fees, etc if needed. In 20 years it'll be $3,000 plus interest, and if you never need it, it's still money in the bank.
I know this post is old, but I have to say that the $3000 you saved in 10 years probably won't get you through the first day of legal representation.
And that's assuming that lawyer is available when you need them or even still practicing law.
Have you noticed what the banks are paying in the way of interest lately?
 
I'm going to suggest a different approach and what is I think a better and more cost effective option.

Ask around and find a good criminal defense attorney in your area who is well versed with self defense law and the use of deadly force by armed citizens. Then meet with that attorney and pay a retainer up front to ensure his services in the event you ever need them.

So what happens if you are out of your area, say traveling in another State? CCW Safe has attorneys throughout the US, and no retainer required. Just say'n.....
 
From what I've read about USCCA, they are not a reimbursement company & are very upfront with what they cover. As a matter of fact, here's a link to the "fine print" of their coverage.
https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/pdf/USCCA-Member-Resource-Guide_Web.pdf
If you go to their site, there is a comparison chart, like Irriflemann uses, (except, up to date) of them & about four or five other companies, including CCW Safe, Texas Law Shield & I believe, NRA.
They do push added items but I understand you can opt out of those emails. They ARE a business, afterall!
I have diligently compared coverages between them & several others...& weighed in not having it at all. I keep going back to my auto insurance & I may not ever need it but if I do, I'll be damned glad I have it. It's all a personal choice & I'm convinced, they will be the one I'll go with. If I had the BG's schedule, I would just avoid them & not even carry...but I don't, sooooo.

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Just something else to add to the confusion.

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Who do you believe?


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