Self-defense Insurance?

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jeffrefrig

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I've looked online and it seems two self-defense insurance companies come up. Seems the most popular ones are USCCA and Law Shield. (I could have the names misspelled or wrong letters, but I believe you all know who I'm talking about.) I don't want to start a "Ford vs. Chevy" battle, but my main question is about do many folks here carry this insurance? Is there mandatory training involved, either online or at specific locations, or possibly both? I would never want to have to shoot anybody, but if I do, I know from reading some "horror stories" about the person protecting himself or family or anyone from a possible deadly use of force from a bad guy seems to be in more trouble than the perpetrator.
Any thoughts, experience, or ideas are welcome. I do know that I'm not willing to spend all of my retirement annuities to save me from prison just for protecting myself. Even if it's ruled justified, an attorney is gonna cost me at least 50 to 100 large when all's said & done. That's a lot of beer money.
I welcome all advice, comments, etc. For what it's worth, I live in PA.
Thanks all, Jeff T.
 
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Some time back I looked at one of the popular ones, and what the splash-screens boasted wasn't quite what was actually promised in the 'fine print'. As I recall, the actual details for what they covered was only the cost of recovering your permit or license to carry. The phraseology was very carefully parsed, so it sounded like they were going to cover your legal expenses that resulted from the self-defense shooting, but I didn't find that in the contractual information. They even had so-called case studies claiming to have covered the bills of this or that person, but again, the promises implied were not the reality I read.

So my advise is read the fine print very critically. If you're in doubt about what specifically they will cover, spend a few bucks and get an attorney to interpret.
 
Mainsail said:
Some time back I looked at one of the popular ones, and what the splash-screens boasted wasn't quite what was actually promised in the 'fine print'. As I recall, the actual details for what they covered was only the cost of recovering your permit or license to carry. The phraseology was very carefully parsed, so it sounded like they were going to cover your legal expenses that resulted from the self-defense shooting, but I didn't find that in the contractual information. They even had so-called case studies claiming to have covered the bills of this or that person, but again, the promises implied were not the reality I read.

So my advise is read the fine print very critically. If you're in doubt about what specifically they will cover, spend a few bucks and get an attorney to interpret.
Click to expand...

The large print giveth;
The small print taketh away.
 
I spent A LOT of time researching the different companies out there.
I finally went (in 2017) with CCW SAFE. Cost is $35/month for there best coverage. Covers criminal and civil trials. It works for me. JMO
The chances of needing it are probably slim to none, but I sleep better at night. I learned many years ago to “Never say Never” that it will never happen to me.
Good luck in finding what your looking for!
If nothing else, it gives me peace of mind.
Defense insurance is like carrying a gun. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. Just sayen.
P.S. only requirement is you must have a valid CCW license.
 
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I have insurance. I obtained it after I listened to 4 different attorneys at 4 different locations. If you are going to carry a weapon you should carry insurance.
Remember one thing, if you are involved in a shooting no matter who's fault, who's guilty or who's the bad guy; everyone at the scene with a gun is going to jail for a period of time. The police will not be the ones to decide who's right or wrong at the scene.
Do your homework folks!!
 
I knew plenty of guys who carried “professional liability” insurance while working as federal LEOs. I don’t know a single guy who used it, including guys who shot people.

It seems like most CCW classes (at least around here) are thinly veiled infomercials for various insurance schemes. Kinda like time shares.

No insurance for me.
 
sigp220.45 said:
I knew plenty of guys who carried “professional liability” insurance while working as federal LEOs. I don’t know a single guy who used it, including guys who shot people.

It seems like most CCW classes (at least around here) are thinly veiled infomercials for various insurance schemes. Kinda like time shares.

No insurance for me.
Click to expand...

That's kinda the vibe I was getting, but I really need to read up and do my homework. I like the idea of paying a learned attorney to go over any thing before I sign up for something, also.
The umbrella policy...is that basically a liability policy for covering myself for anything I do to harm someone, either by hand or weapon? I've heard the term but I'll have to research the mean-ing.
 
Personally, I dont see a lot of reason to have dedicated "carry" insurance. Seems like a lot of fluff to make an insurance company richer.

The chances of having to use a firearm are slim, the chances of it being "questionable" are even smaller and the extremely small chance it makes it to court dont seem worth it to me.

Also depends on your state, in Florida our laws are clear that if you are not guilty criminally, you can NOT be sued in civil court should the case fall within the bound of SYG. So at that point the insurance wouldnt be covering anything anyway.

That said, if it makes you feel better its not a "bad" thing to have. Especially in a state that is less friendly to those who defend themselves such as CA, NY or the like.
 
I guess I'd have to go with an umbrella policy...but won't. I wouldn't consider a policy that doesn't cover accidents. Neither the aforementioned organizations do.
 
The problem with an umbrella policy is it will not cover your for your costs for defending a criminal charge.

USCCA does that, has a list of defense attorneys in your area. They give you a card that outlines what you should and shouldn't do if you are forced to use a firearm in self defense. There is also a toll free number on the card to call if you do get involved in a shooting.

I believe that some insurance companies will not cover firearms under their "umbrella" policies, but that's a moot point to me.
 
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