Jane Dotson
In 2018, Chubb North America Insurance decided to end its participation in the National Rifle Association's (NRA) NRA Carry Guard insurance program. This decision came in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which left 17 students and teachers dead and sparked nationwide calls for stricter gun laws. Chubb was one of several companies that chose to sever ties with the NRA, with many citing the gun lobbying group's opposition to gun control measures as a reason for ending their association. The NRA, however, criticized these companies for punishing its members and engaging in political and civic cowardice. This event highlighted the growing tension between the NRA and businesses that had previously offered discounts or services to its members, ultimately leading to a public debate about the role of corporations in the gun control debate.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2018 |
| Month | February |
| Date | 23 |
| Day | Friday |
| Reason | The NRA appeared toxic to many companies after the mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. |
| Chubb's statement | "Three months ago, Chubb provided notice of our intent to discontinue participation in the NRA Carry Guard insurance program under the terms of our contract." |
| Chubb's spokesperson's statement | "Recent events have made the NRA appear toxic to many companies, with numerous corporations severing their association with the gun lobbying group or ending NRA member discounts." |
| NRA's response | "The law-abiding members of the NRA had nothing at all to do with the failure of that school’s security preparedness, the failure of America’s mental health system, the failure of the National Instant Check System, or the cruel failures of both federal and local law enforcement." |
| NRA's statement | "Despite that, some corporations have decided to punish NRA membership in a shameful display of political and civic cowardice. The loss of a discount will neither scare nor distract one single NRA member from our mission to stand and defend ... individual freedoms." |
| Other companies that cut ties with the NRA | MetLife, SimpliSafe, First National Bank of Omaha, Starkey Hearing Technologies, Enterprise Holdings Inc., National, Alamo, Hertz, Avis/Budget, TrueCar, Wyndham Hotels, Symantec, Lloyd's of London, SIRVA, North American, Allied van lines |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Chubb Ltd. gave notice three months in advance of its intent to discontinue participation in the NRA Carry Guard insurance program
- The NRA slammed companies cutting ties with them, calling the move shameful and a display of political and civic cowardice
- The NRA sued Cuomo, Vullo, and DFS, alleging they established a system to suppress the NRA's speech based on its viewpoint
- The NRA's affinity insurance program allowed members to buy insurance covering legal services associated with a criminal proceeding related to self-defense with a firearm
- The Parkland school shooting resulted in many companies cutting ties with the NRA, including SimpliSafe, MetLife, and Wyndham Hotels
Chubb Ltd. gave notice three months in advance of its intent to discontinue participation in the NRA Carry Guard insurance program
In February 2018, it was reported that Chubb Ltd. had given notice three months in advance of its intent to discontinue participation in the NRA Carry Guard insurance program. This program was an NRA-branded insurance policy for gun owners and their families, which covered legal costs related to firearm use, including self-defence shootings. Chubb Ltd. was the sixth company to cut ties with the NRA that week, joining a growing list of corporations that were distancing themselves from the NRA in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which resulted in the deaths of 17 students and teachers.
Chubb Ltd. did not reveal the reason for its decision to withdraw from the NRA Carry Guard insurance program. However, it can be assumed that the move was influenced by the increasing pressure on companies to disassociate from the NRA following the Parkland shooting. Indeed, petitions had been circulating online urging companies to boycott the NRA, with the hashtag #BoycottNRA trending on Twitter. In response to these companies' decisions to cut ties, the NRA issued a statement condemning the moves as "shameful" and asserting that their members had "nothing to do with the failure of that school's security preparedness".
The NRA Carry Guard insurance program was controversial, as it was marketed to gun owners who might face legal or other costs related to self-defence shootings. Benefits of the program included payments for bail, criminal defence legal retainer fees, lawful firearm replacement, compensation while in court, psychological support, and cleanup costs for any covered claim resulting from the use of a legally possessed firearm. Gun control advocacy groups, such as Guns Down America, had criticised the program as "murder insurance" and petitioned Chubb to stop selling it in cooperation with the NRA.
Chubb Ltd.'s decision to discontinue participation in the NRA Carry Guard insurance program is significant as it highlights the growing public and corporate sentiment for stricter gun control measures and the increasing pressure on companies to disassociate from the NRA. This move by Chubb Ltd. and other companies sends a strong message about corporate responsibility and the role of businesses in addressing social issues, particularly in the context of gun violence and school shootings in the United States.
Whole Life Insurance: Is SGLI a Good Option?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The NRA slammed companies cutting ties with them, calling the move shameful and a display of political and civic cowardice
In 2018, in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that claimed the lives of 17 students and teachers, Chubb North America Insurance cut ties with the NRA. The insurance company announced its decision to stop underwriting the NRA-branded insurance program for gun owners, known as "NRA Carry Guard." Chubb was not the only company to distance itself from the NRA following the tragedy, as numerous corporations severed their associations or ended NRA member discounts.
The NRA, however, strongly condemned the companies' actions, labeling the move as ""shameful" and a display of "political and civic cowardice." They issued a statement asserting that their law-abiding members were not responsible for the failures that led to the school shooting and that corporations were unjustly punishing NRA membership. The NRA vowed that the loss of discounts would neither deter nor distract their members from their mission to defend individual freedoms.
Chubb's decision to discontinue its participation in the NRA Carry Guard program was made three months before it was publicly announced. The program offered coverage for legal and other costs related to firearm use, including self-defense shootings. Despite not revealing the specific reason for their choice, Chubb joined a growing list of companies publicly distancing themselves from the NRA.
The NRA's response to the companies' actions reflected their defiance and determination to uphold their stance on gun rights. They accused the companies of succumbing to political pressure and abandoning their NRA members. The NRA's statement highlighted their belief that the corporations' decisions were misguided and unjustified, as they held their members blameless for the underlying issues that contributed to the tragedy.
The mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School sparked a nationwide debate about gun control and the role of the NRA. While the NRA faced intense scrutiny and criticism, they staunchly defended their position, vehemently opposing stricter gun laws. The companies that severed ties with the NRA, including Chubb, made a calculated decision to dissociate themselves from the NRA's controversial stance in the aftermath of the tragedy.
AIG Life Insurance: AM Best Rating Explained
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The NRA sued Cuomo, Vullo, and DFS, alleging they established a system to suppress the NRA's speech based on its viewpoint
In 2017, New York's Department of Financial Services (DFS) and its Superintendent, Maria Vullo, started investigating the NRA's affinity insurance program. This program allowed NRA members to buy insurance covering intentional wrongdoing and legal services associated with a criminal proceeding related to self-defense with a legally owned firearm. The investigation exposed several violations of New York insurance law. Following the Parkland school shooting, some of the NRA's business affiliates severed their ties with the organization.
Vullo started meeting with insurance companies that collaborated with the NRA, conveying Governor Andrew Cuomo's intention to combat gun violence by weakening the NRA. The NRA sued Cuomo, Vullo, and DFS, alleging they established a system to suppress the NRA's speech based on its viewpoint. The NRA also claimed that the defendants infringed upon their freedom of association, equal protection rights, and due process rights.
The United States District Court for the Northern District of New York dismissed all claims except for the free speech claims against Vullo in her individual capacity, as she was not entitled to qualified immunity. The NRA petitioned for a writ of certiorari, and the Supreme Court reviewed the case, focusing on whether the NRA adequately pleaded a constitutional violation.
The NRA's lawsuit made explosive allegations, including backroom threats by Vullo against regulated firms, accompanied by offers of leniency on unrelated infractions if they agreed to blacklist the NRA. The NRA argued that Vullo's actions violated their First Amendment right to free expression. The ACLU and other legal experts agreed with the NRA, emphasizing the dangerous implications of allowing government officials to suppress speech based on disapproval of ideas.
The outcome of the Supreme Court's review will have significant implications for the First Amendment rights of advocacy groups and set a precedent for similar cases in the future.
Understanding Lapses: Keeping Your Life Insurance Policy Active
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The NRA's affinity insurance program allowed members to buy insurance covering legal services associated with a criminal proceeding related to self-defense with a firearm
In 2017, New York's Department of Financial Services (DFS) and Superintendent Maria Vullo began investigating the NRA's affinity insurance program. This program allowed members to purchase insurance covering legal services associated with a criminal proceeding related to self-defense with a firearm. The investigation uncovered numerous violations of New York insurance law.
Following the investigation, DFS urged companies to sever ties with the NRA. Lockton Cos., LLC, and its affiliate Lockton Affinity, LLC, which administered the NRA's insurance program, agreed to pay a $7 million fine and end their relationship with the organization. Chubb Ltd., another insurance company that worked with the NRA, also decided to discontinue its participation in the NRA Carry Guard insurance program. This decision was influenced by both the DFS investigation and public pressure to disassociate from the NRA after the Parkland school shooting.
Chubb's announcement to stop underwriting NRA-branded insurance for gun owners added them to a growing list of companies cutting ties with the NRA. These companies include car rental services, banks, and other insurance providers. The NRA criticized these companies, claiming that their decision to cut ties was a "shameful display of political and civic cowardice."
The NRA's affinity insurance program, underwritten and administered by Chubb and Lockton, offered coverage for legal costs related to firearm use, including self-defense shootings. The program was found to have improperly provided coverage for criminal defense and expenses incurred in criminal proceedings, which led to regulatory action and fines.
Life Insurance Tax in Canada: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Parkland school shooting resulted in many companies cutting ties with the NRA, including SimpliSafe, MetLife, and Wyndham Hotels
The mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, resulted in a wave of companies cutting ties with the NRA. This was part of a broader corporate backlash against the NRA, with many companies re-evaluating their investments, co-branding deals, and other ties to the gun industry. The shooting, which claimed the lives of 17 people, sparked nationwide calls for stricter gun laws, which the NRA vehemently opposes.
Among the companies that severed their association with the NRA were SimpliSafe, a home security company, and MetLife, an insurance company. SimpliSafe confirmed that it was discontinuing its relationship with the NRA, with CEO Chad Laurans stating, "We have discontinued our existing relationship with the NRA." Similarly, MetLife discontinued its discount program for NRA members, tweeting, "We value all our customers but have decided to end our discount program with the NRA."
Wyndham Hotels also cut ties with the NRA, although it is unclear when the partnership ended. The hotel chain did not make a clear statement but informed social media users that it was no longer affiliated with the NRA. Another notable company that ended its relationship with the NRA was Chubb Ltd., an insurance company. Chubb announced its intention to stop underwriting NRA-branded insurance for gun owners, joining the growing list of companies publicly distancing themselves from the NRA.
The swiftness and magnitude of the corporate response to the Parkland shooting differed from that of past shootings. Political scientist Bob Spitzer noted that it was likely influenced by the student mobilization that followed the tragedy. The NRA, however, criticized companies for cutting ties, calling it a "shameful display of political and civic cowardice." Despite the NRA's defiance, the growing number of companies distancing themselves from the NRA indicated a shift in public opinion and increasing pressure for gun control measures.
Alabama Punitive Damages: Are They Insurable?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Chubb announced in 2018 that it would no longer participate in the NRA's insurance program, NRA Carry Guard.
Chubb did not reveal the reason for its decision to cut ties with the NRA. However, it is speculated that it was due to petitions circulated online urging companies to boycott the NRA following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
The NRA Carry Guard is an NRA-branded insurance policy for gun owners and their families, which covers legal costs related to firearm use, including self-defense shootings.
![Chubbs Peterson Memorial Golf Tournament [distressed] T-Shirt](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61pFhu3wuIL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
