Country Insurance: Concealed Carry Coverage

Concealed carry insurance, also known as self-defence liability insurance, is a type of insurance that provides legal protection to the holder in the event that they have to use force in self-defence or home defence. This insurance covers legal representation and defence in criminal investigations and civil court proceedings. It also covers other difficulties arising from a self-defence action, such as police investigation, confiscation of the weapon, lawyer retainer fees, possible conviction and sentencing, and potential civil liability for pain and suffering.

What does concealed carry insurance cover?

Concealed carry insurance, also known as self-defence liability insurance, is a relatively new concept that has emerged due to the rising number of registered concealed carry permit holders in the United States. This type of insurance provides legal protection benefits to the policyholder if they ever have to use force in self-defence or home defence.

The insurance typically covers legal representation and defence in the event of a criminal investigation, which commonly follows a self-defence incident. It may also cover defence in civil court proceedings stemming from the self-defence act.

Different companies offer varying types and levels of coverage, and the fine print in the policies can make a huge difference. Some policies may also include:

• Bail bond coverage
• Civil liability coverage
• Coverage for the replacement of firearms
• Coverage for the personal use of a firearm (non-defensive)
• Coverage for crime scene clean-up
• Coverage for spouse and family self-defence

When choosing a concealed carry insurance company, it is important to consider the following:

• Criminal defence assistance
• Civil defence assistance
• Up-front or deferred compensation
• Exclusions and disqualifications
• Deductibles or caps on coverage
• Customer service availability
• The option to choose your own lawyer
• Coast-to-coast coverage

How much does concealed carry insurance cost?

The cost of concealed carry insurance varies depending on the provider and the tier of coverage chosen. Prices range from $11 to $49 per month. Some companies offer multiple plans with different levels of coverage, so it is important to consider what features are most important to you before selecting a policy.

• USCCA: The most affordable plan is $29 per month, but additional features such as online training and a monthly magazine are available at higher tiers.
• Right to Bear: The basic plan costs $15 per month or $165 per year. Additional services such as spousal insurance, bail bond coverage, and multi-state coverage are available for an extra fee.
• CCW Safe: The Defender plan costs $19 per month and includes no limits on civil or criminal defense coverage. The Ultimate plan offers additional benefits such as red flag incident coverage and costs $34.95 per month.
• US & TX Law Shield: The basic plan costs $10.95 per month and offers no limit on civil or criminal defense coverage. Additional charges apply for bail coverage and multi-state coverage.
• Second Call Defense: The lowest tier option costs $9.95 per month and includes $500,000 in civil defense coverage and $100,000 in criminal defense coverage.

Is concealed carry insurance worth it?

Concealed carry insurance is a way to protect yourself if you ever use your firearm in self-defence. This insurance coverage usually extends beyond concealed carry and includes home defence situations. It covers the legal expenses that come with the criminal charges and civil suits you may face after using your firearm to defend yourself.

• Attorney retainer and hourly fees
• Court and legal fees
• Witness, deposition and investigative fees
• Bail bonds
• Civil damages

Concealed carry insurance does not cover:

• Lost or stolen firearms
• Damaged or destroyed firearms
• Negligence with firearms
• Instructor coverage

The answer to this question depends on a few factors. Firstly, if you own a firearm for self-defence, then concealed carry insurance is absolutely worth the investment to protect your livelihood and assets. The legal fees that come with using a firearm in self-defence can be extremely high, and even small cases that don't go to trial can cost over $10,000. A murder charge can cost upwards of $500,000.

Secondly, the chances of needing concealed carry insurance are slim, and the premiums can be quite expensive. If you can afford the legal fees yourself, then getting this type of insurance may not offer much value. However, if you can't afford the legal fees, then concealed carry insurance can be a good way to protect yourself and ensure that you're not left financially ruined.

Pros of Concealed Carry Insurance

• It covers the cost of bail bonds, court fees, attorney fees, expert witness fees, private investigator fees and civil damages.
• It gives you access to a network of lawyers and attorneys who specialise in self-defence cases.
• It provides funds to help cover daily expenses while you're in court or other legal proceedings.
• It gives you peace of mind, knowing that you'll be legally and financially covered in case of a mishap.

Cons of Concealed Carry Insurance

• The chances of needing concealed carry insurance are slim, so you may end up paying premiums for something you'll never use.
• The premiums can be quite expensive, and the cheaper alternatives offer very little coverage.
• If you can afford to pay your legal expenses, getting concealed carry insurance may be unnecessary and costly.
• The Second Amendment is supposed to protect your right to self-defence, so you may not need additional insurance.

Ultimately, the decision to get concealed carry insurance depends on your individual needs and circumstances. If you own a firearm for self-defence and want peace of mind, then concealed carry insurance is worth considering. However, if you can afford the legal fees and believe the chances of needing the insurance are slim, then it may not be necessary.

What is the best concealed carry insurance?

There are many options for concealed carry insurance, and it can be challenging to determine which is the best. Ultimately, the best option for you will depend on your specific needs and situation. However, here is a list of some of the most popular and highly-regarded concealed carry insurance providers, along with a description of their features and benefits:

• CCW Safe: CCW Safe is often considered one of the best options for concealed carry insurance due to its comprehensive coverage and focus on protecting its members during legal proceedings. They offer no limits on criminal or civil defense trials and have a Critical Response Team that will provide support and guidance after an incident. However, their plans can be pricier compared to other providers, and you must be a permitted CCW carrier to be covered.
• U.S. Concealed Carry Association (USCCA): USCCA is one of the biggest names in concealed carry insurance and offers a range of coverage options. Their Gold membership, the lowest of three tiers, provides unlimited criminal and civil defense coverage but does not include bail bond coverage. USCCA also does not send a team to assist customers after a major shooting incident.
• U.S. & Texas LawShield: This insurer provides competitive coverage, including criminal and civil defense fees upfront, at a very attractive monthly price of $10.95/month, plus a one-time $19.95 startup fee. However, some supplemental coverage options, such as bail bond and multi-state protection, are available as add-ons for an additional cost.
• SecondCall Defense: SecondCall Defense offers a "sweet spot" between the bigger and smaller insurers, providing comprehensive coverage at a competitive price. Their full coverage plan includes upfront payments for criminal and civil defense fees, as well as $50,000 in civil defense coverage. However, the lower monthly price may result in weaker overall coverage compared to some of the bigger insurers.
• Firearms Legal Protection: Firearms Legal Protection offers good coverage and benefits at a reasonable price. Their Individual Basic plan includes uncapped attorney fees for criminal and civil trials and covers the use of any legal weapon for self-defense. However, bail bond coverage is only available in upper-tier plans, and multi-state protection requires an upgrade.
• Armed Citizen's Legal Defense Network (ACLDN): ACLDN is not a traditional insurance provider but rather a "funding mechanism" for legal defense. It offers access to a vast network of legal experts but does not provide coverage for civil damages or other benefits such as lost compensation or firearm replacement. ACLDN is the cheapest option, with an annual cost of $135 ($11.25/month).

When choosing a concealed carry insurance provider, it is essential to carefully review the terms and conditions of each policy and consider your specific needs and situation. Some key factors to consider include coverage limits, upfront payments vs. reimbursement, bail bond coverage, lost wages compensation, and whether you can choose your own attorney. Additionally, it is worth noting that some insurers may not be available in certain states, so be sure to verify the availability in your state.

Do I need concealed carry insurance?

The short answer is: if you can afford it, you should get concealed carry insurance.

Concealed carry insurance, also known as CCW insurance or self-defense insurance, is a type of insurance policy or membership that helps cover the legal fees that can accumulate in the event that you use your firearm in self-defence. It is important to note that concealed carry insurance is intended for self-defence purposes only and should not be used in cases of violent assault or other crimes.

The legalities surrounding self-defence are complicated and extremely expensive. Even if you are innocent and are cooperating with the police, you may find yourself facing legal fees, court dates, and criminal accusations. The costs of defending yourself in court can reach hundreds of thousands of dollars, and there is also the problem of missing work and the psychological stress on you and your family.

Concealed carry insurance can help cover your legal fees and provide you with the proper information regarding legal procedures. It can also help you find a self-defence attorney and, in some cases, provide you with an attorney.

The answer to this question depends on the company you choose to go with. There are several companies that offer concealed carry coverage, including CCW Safe, USCCA, Second Call Defence, NRA Carry Guard, and US Law Shield. The differences between these companies are vast, and it is important to do your research to find the one that best suits your needs.

The chances of needing to use concealed carry insurance are slim, and you may never need to use the insurance you pay for. However, if you do find yourself in a situation where you need to use your firearm in self-defence, concealed carry insurance can help you avoid paying tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of dollars in legal fees. It can also help you manage stressful procedures and give you peace of mind, knowing that you will be able to defend yourself legally and financially.

While it may be an additional expense, if you can afford it, the benefits of concealed carry insurance far outweigh the costs.

Frequently asked questions