CCW Insurance

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absolutevil

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I have a question...I don't want to start a debate on the "I would rather be judged by 12 then carried by 7" issue. When I was an officer I was covered by the departments insurance for legal issues and I also payed into a legal defense fund witch covered officers even more in the cases where we were charged or accused by the people we would deal with. So without making this to long, does anyone have additional insurance because they carry a concealed handgun? The reason I ask, I'm not an insurance salesman, is that in the event the gun is used a law suit would absolutely follow, not to mention needing an attorney for the legal issues involving the police. As a retired officer I have the ability to carry, under HR 218, but I do not carry any additional type of insurance. This might be a stupid question but no one ever said I was smart....:D
 
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Interesting question...I was in my local gun shop yesterday, and the owner told me that he would have some brochures and info next week on a policy that covered your legal expenses in the event you had any issues with a firearm, such as being sued when you had to use it in self-defense. It was like $89 a year, and supposedly would cover your legal expenses 100%.

I don't know more than that about it, and I am very interested to look at the brochures and info when he has them available next week. It sounds like a good deal...but it also sounds like it might be a little too good to be true. I'll reserve judgment until I can read all the info, see what is covered, what exclusions, limits, etc.
 
Good post.
In Louisiana-your liability insurance that you have along with your homeowners insurance would cover and provide a defense for any acts of negligence. Shooting someone in self defense or otherwise a lawful shoot would by its' very nature not be an act of negligence and would therefore probably not be covered by a homeowners policy. I'm gonna have to look into that one if for nothing else just the cost of defense. Regarding criminal prosecution, you can't buy insurance insuring you and providing cost of defense if you commit a crime.
I'll keep y'all posted with what I find.
Again-VERY good question!!

Just got off the phone with my agent and he agrees with what I posted. It all depends on the policy language however and he is going to research it. I expect that there is insurance out there for this purpose, however I would think that the run of the mill homeowners policy does not contemplate or cover this.
 
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In the lawsuit heavy land we live, if the person lived he would, or the family of the person would file suit. Heck I'm involved in one from a car accident my daughter had several years ago because the other guy says his back hurts.
 
In Illinois and most other states, your homeowners insurance will cover your negligent acts. Intentional acts are excluded from coverage, all as Cajunlawyer said. If you aimed at John but accidently hit Mary, that would be covered. If you said that you meant to scare Sam, but your finger accidently "slipped" and the gun "went off" you would be covered under the negligence part of the policy. So long as the lawsuit alleges negligence and other claims, you are generally owed a defense by the insurance co. - it just means that if you loose on the intentional claim they won't pay that part. Again, the particular policy language controls.
While not known nearly as well as Cajun, I have been practicing law for 30+ years in Chicago and have seen these types of situations go both ways.
 
I know a few attorneys that formed some of a pre-paid legal fee arrangement. Pay a couple hundred up front and they represent you down the road in the event you get in trouble later.

Best thing is like I got. Have about 30 friends that are attorneys and will represent you for free. But I went to college with most of them. One of my friends is representing my daughter in a personal injury suit where she was injured by a lady that ran a light. He is not charging a fee and she gets the entire balance of the policy limits from the ladies insurance company.

Good friends are difficult to find.
 
I was thinking more of the intentional act, away from home, in some dark parking lot, your life was in danger.....well something like that. Just don't want to loose my house and pension over some lawsuit that would be coming for sure. Even if you were not criminally charged your gonna end up in court.
 
Umbrella coverage

I recently added an "Umbrella Policy" which is liability insurance in addition to the coverages afforded by your vehicle and homeowners policies. It will cover the cost of your defense if you are sued. These policies start at $1,000,000 of liability (Which costs me $163 a year), and commence coverage where your other policies end. Google "Umbrella Coverage" and/or check with your insurance guy for details.
 
Capt Steve said:
I recently added an "Umbrella Policy" which is liability insurance in addition to the coverages afforded by your vehicle and homeowners policies. It will cover the cost of your defense if you are sued. These policies start at $1,000,000 of liability (Which costs me $163 a year), and commence coverage where your other policies end. Google "Umbrella Coverage" and/or check with your insurance guy for details.
Click to expand...
Don't be too smug there- will it provide a cost of defense and coverage for an intentional act?! That's the issue and it depends solely on the policy language. Also it ain't gonna do anything unless there is coverage (in other words the exposure is greater than the underlying limits) or for some reason the policy drops down to primary coverage.

Remember-Insurance doesn't like to pay unles they have to and those contracts are written in as limiting a fashion as possible. It is YOUR responsibility to read and understand what is and more importantly what is NOT covered!
I'd rather read the Bankruptcy Code than one of those gosh darn insurance policies!!!!
 
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I heartily recommend reading Alan Korwins' recently published book, After You Shoot, which offers an examination of similar issues. Order from gunlaws.com.
 
CAJUNLAWYER said:
Don't be too smug there- will it provide a cost of defense and coverage for an intentional act?! That's the issue and it depends solely on the policy language. Also it ain't gonna do anything unless there is coverage (in other words the exposure is greater than the underlying limits) or for some reason the policy drops down to primary coverage.

Remember-Insurance doesn't like to pay unles they have to and those contracts are written in as limiting a fashion as possible. It is YOUR responsibility to read and understand what is and more importantly what is NOT covered!
I'd rather read the Bankruptcy Code than one of those gosh darn insurance policies!!!!
Click to expand...

Easy there Caj, I've reread my post and fail to see "smug" anywhere. I simply posted what I felt was relevant factual info that might be of interest to others. I further suggested that folks Google Umbrella Coverage for further info and recommended they seek the advice of an expert which I am not.

After a lot of research I switched my Homeowners insurance to Farmers and saved over $200 which more than paid for the Umbrella Policy. BTW: my policy does provide coverage for: "damages for bodily injury if such insured acted with reasonable force to protect persons or property". I am no expert but have read the policy thoroughly, several times and am convinced that I am far better protected than I was without it for a nominal fee. I am far more likely to need this coverage in the event of some sort of vehicular mishap or someone being injured (in a non firearm event), on my property.

IMHO: Most folks don't carry enough liability coverage on vehicles and homes and yes I do know that the Umbrella only kicks in where the other policies leave off. I recently upped my vehicular liability, bodily injury and property damage to $500K, $500K and & $100K. YMMV.
 
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