I'm considering getting some self defense insurance to cover expenses in the event that I ever have to use lethal force to defend myself. After doing some online research I'm undecided which company is best or if I even what to spend the money. Does anyone have this and if so please share the company you choose and why. Thanks
June 28, 2023, 08:03 AM
selogic
I have USCCA . Read the fine print before deciding on any plan . DO NOT base your decision on the uninformed blathering that you are about to witness .
June 28, 2023, 08:08 AM
220-9er
Welcome. I see you're new around here.
You can do a search for a number of multi-page threads on this exact subject. Start out with this-none of them are actual insurance. Many like to imply that they are in their marketing. If they were, they would be registered in your state and you could go look them up on your state insurance commissioners web site. The USCCA now has a policy (they had an asterisk and you need to read and understand the details). They cover specified liability against compensation from the "victim" asking for monetary damages. That's a lot different than covering your defense that may be needed against criminal prosecution. Insurance covering you for an intentional and alleged criminal act (the states version anyway) isn't so easy. Some of these plans will reimburse, pay some bail, etc.
In some states, like in Georgia, if you are not found culpable you are very unlikely to be sued. That's because state law would cause it to be tossed and lawyers working on a percentage don't like to work for free and look like a fool at the same time.
I'm considering getting some self defense insurance to cover expenses in the event that I ever have to use lethal force to defend myself.
What state are you located in, as insurance laws vary state to state, and some prohibit this type of 'insurance'. Also know that you need to consider two things, in that in addition to liability protection, if you need to defend yourself in court, you will have SIGNIFICANT legal fees to consider as well. In most states that don't allow insurance, prepaid legal services are available. USCCA and US Law Shield/TX Law Shield are to two major providers in this realm, and depending on where you live will determine what services/protection you will have available.
I am a US Law Shield customer. They offer 'Prepaid Legal Services' in 21 states, including mine (NH), and 'Insurance' in 27 states/jurisdictions (includes Washington DC). In TX they offer both insurance and prepaid legal services.
I pay $130/year for 'Prepaid Legal Services' and I've been a member since March 2019.
If Some is Good, and More is Better.....then Too Much, is Just Enough !! Trump 47....Make America Great Again! "May Almighty God bless the United States of America" - parabellum 7/26/20 Live Free or Die!
June 28, 2023, 08:58 AM
HKAngusKL
Beware any reimbursement type products like Lockton (old NRA carry guard). Reimbursement does zero to help you pay for your criminal defense costs (God forbid that it comes to that scenario). You'll have to self fund the bond, retainer for an attorney, and defense costs through acquittal to even have a shot at reimbursement. Leaving a self defense case to a public defender or being forced to liquidate all of your assets are also tough prospects.
June 28, 2023, 10:53 AM
71 TRUCK
This is something I posted a few years ago.
My wife and I have had CCW Safe since the case of an individual (we will not mention his name) in central Florida was arrested and charged with murder when he should not have been. He went to trial and was found innocent. We figure it cost him upwards of a half a million dollars. Not to many people I know can afford that bill and not be financially wiped out. For us it is peace of mind.
A Question was asked by one of our members if anyone have any knowledge of a case where someone was put through the legal system that had one of these plans and what the outcome was?
My answer was yes His name is Stephen Maddox. We had the opportunity to meet him and listened to his story in person, than we were able to ask questions afterwards. Listing to his story was scary and sad what had happened to him.
My wife used to run an event at our gun club called "Ladies Day At the Range". The club would close for one day and 400 ladies would come to the range and have a range day. All the disciplines would come out and instruct the ladies on the use of the firearms used in their sport. They got to do this all for one fee. It was a lot of fun. To help keep the cost down my wife got sponsors for the event.
One of the largest sponsors was CCW Safe.
My wife and had been members of CCW Safe before they became a sponsor. When she contacted them they were very eager to participate in the event. At the event we had the chance to meet several of the executives and to us they seamed like down to earth people. My wife has since retired from running the event however she does keep in touch with several of the executives we met.
I am not promoting any one company I am just telling you who we have and our experience with them, you have to decide whats best for your needs.
Your best bet is to find a company that is aloud to sell their product in the state you live in. Do your research. See what they have to offer and what the cost will be based on your qualifications and your needs.
The Second Amendment to the United States Constitution.
A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
As ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State
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June 28, 2023, 11:05 AM
LBTRS
I have CCW Safe Ultimate for my wife and I. It seems to do what it advertises.
____________________________ NRA Benefactor Life Member GOA Life Member Arizona Citizens Defense League Life Member
June 28, 2023, 11:08 AM
BurtonRW
The folks at PewPew have a pretty good (and current) comparison of the main players posted here:
I predict that there will be many suggestions and statements about the law made here, and some of them will be spectacularly wrong. - jhe888
A=A
June 28, 2023, 11:31 AM
smschulz
US Law Shield customer here too for many years. I hear USCCA is very good too. Hope never to need it.
June 28, 2023, 11:53 AM
corsair
quote:
Originally posted by nhracecraft:
quote:
I'm considering getting some self defense insurance to cover expenses in the event that I ever have to use lethal force to defend myself.
What state are you located in, as insurance laws vary state to state, and some prohibit this type of 'insurance'. Also know that you need to consider two things, in that in addition to liability protection, if you need to defend yourself in court, you will have SIGNIFICANT legal fees to consider as well. In most states that don't allow insurance, prepaid legal services are available. USCCA and US Law Shield/TX Law Shield are to two major providers in this realm, and depending on where you live will determine what services/protection you will have available.
This. If you're living or, frequent a Blue state where the DA in the area where the incident happens and/or the state AG are of the activist-progressive type, then having self-defense insurance is a good idea. We're dealing with an era today where government is actively working against you at a local level and looking to punitively punish you. Other states, Free States if you will, check the laws and what self-defense cases have become case law or, prime examples where judges will cite for their decisions. You may not need such coverage because there's enough legal protections where a competent lawyer can help you.
Living in CA and SF Bay Area, I carry USCCA.
June 28, 2023, 12:00 PM
parabellum
What I've heard is that this type of insurance will be of no value to you, no matter which state you live in.
Consider the matter with great skepticism.
June 28, 2023, 12:06 PM
MNSIG
^^^^
I have come to the same conclusion as you.
June 28, 2023, 05:55 PM
egregore
All insurance I'm aware of covers you for losses that may or may not be your fault (e.g., tree falling on your house, a car accident). A self-defense shooting is a deliberate act. I'm skeptical of any policy that claims to cover you for that. If you purposely ram something or someone with your car, criminally or not, you don't get to claim the damage on your insurance.
Now, what would be a good idea is to have a lawyer's number on speed-dial. The aftermath of a shooting is not a good time to be thumbing through the Yellow Pages.
June 28, 2023, 06:08 PM
wrightd
This is probably the best advice, and maybe the only viable advice, for this unfortunate situation. And besides, for those services you may contract for, you don't get to pick your lawyer. My guess is he may not be a member of anyone's dream team, but what do I know.
Lover of the US Constitution Wile E. Coyote School of DIY Disaster
June 28, 2023, 06:23 PM
DanH
Old OrdnanceOutsellers himself James A Reeves from TFB.TV is the USCCA lawyer that deals with cases that come up in Louisiana where he lives. He's been called upon several times in regards to a USCCA claim. He might be worth asking for an opinion.
June 29, 2023, 02:15 AM
Rey HRH
I settled on CCW Safe on their Protector Plan for veterans or LEOs. But I'm in AZ. There are states where such things are null and void like the state of Washington.
"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.
June 29, 2023, 09:07 AM
HKAngusKL
quote:
Originally posted by DanH: Old OrdnanceOutsellers himself James A Reeves from TFB.TV is the USCCA lawyer that deals with cases that come up in Louisiana where he lives. He's been called upon several times in regards to a USCCA claim. He might be worth asking for an opinion.
James Reeves would be about the last person I would pick to slog through a self defense trial. He doesn't really do criminal defense practice and has too many other entanglements to legitimately do criminal defense trial work. The amount of billed hours it takes to prepare a felony self defense or homicide case for trial would shock you, if you are not familiar with what goes on behind the scenes.
FYI he's affiliated with US Law Shield.
Para is right about this. Be sure that you actually read the exclusions with some care in the policy and any dec pages that they attach before signing up. Most of these self defense "insurance" outfits promise a lot, but what they actually deliver may or may not be what you bargained for.
June 29, 2023, 09:17 AM
bubbatime
"Ladies and gentleman of the jury, the defendant was so reckless, so willing to kill, that he went and purchased special "kill" insurance to defend himself in court, prior to the incident at hand. Does this seem like a reasonable person to you? How many of you have felt the need to purchase special "kill" insurance? Its preposterous. The defendant is guilty, he knows he is guilty, and I ask you to find the defendant willingly and knowingly killed a person without justification."
______________________________________________________ Often times a very small man can cast a very large shadow
June 29, 2023, 10:45 AM
iron chef
quote:
Originally posted by HKAngusKL: Be sure that you actually read the exclusions with some care in the policy and any dec pages that they attach before signing up. Most of these self defense "insurance" outfits promise a lot, but what they actually deliver may or may not be what you bargained for.
As others have posted, read the fine print. Can't emphasize that enough. From what I've researched, if you're involved in a SD shooting, then you'll meet w/ an attorney. Some of the "insurance" outfits allow you to pick your own. Some have set attorneys they provide. In either case, if the attorney is not reasonably confident that your shooting situation was a good shoot, then they won't defend it nor cover the legal fees.
Some of the carry insurance programs are straight-up hustles charging members to be part of club, not much different that say joining Sig's Legion owners group.