Guns are dangerous weapons that should only be used when there is no other option in a situation of self-defense. Many who wish to have this kind of protection with them at all times may take part in ‘concealed carry’ - carrying a concealed weapon on their person. However, what most don’t realize is the importance of insurance in many self-defense situations.
This is where concealed carry insurance (also known as ‘CCW insurance’ or ‘self-defense insurance’) comes in. This kind of insurance is overlooked but extremely vital in case you ever actually are in a situation dangerous enough that you feel you need to use your weapon for self-defense. (Please note that concealed carry insurance is for self-defense purposes only, and should not be used in the case of violent assault or other crimes).
Why do you need Concealed Carry Insurance?
People carry guns while they run outside or concealed carry while camping to protect them from the unknown. While it is considered self defense it is also important to get yourself covered under insurance. Concealed carry insurance is vital because the legalities around self-defense are extremely expensive and complicated. Those caught in situations where they felt they needed to use their gun in self-defense, regardless of whether or not they cooperate with the police, may find themselves wracked in legal fees, court dates, and criminal accusations. Concealed carry insurance can not only help you cover your fees, but can also give you the proper information regarding legal procedures, and even provide you with your attorney.
Choosing the right CCW insurance for you is pivotal - and with all of the different types of carry and conceal insurance out there, it may be difficult to choose. In this article, we’ll go over why you should go over the answers to some common questions that may help you, and then give you the top 5 reasons why choosing our concealed carry insurance can benefit you.
Let’s get started.
How to Safely Conceal Carry?
Conceal carry guidelines are strict and often vary by state. If you feel like you need a firearm on you in public for potential self-defense, you must have the right tools.
Holsters: Holsters are pivotal for carrying your weapon safely. They should be durable and comfortable to wear. Check out our discreet concealed carry holsters that are most versatile and comfortable holsters in the market.
Accessories & Tools: To keep yourself (and those around you) safe, you’ll need the proper accessories. Magnetic gun mounts and tactical belts can be helpful for your safety and the safety of those around you.
Common CCW Insurance FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions surrounding concealed gun carry insurance. Knowing the answers to these questions should help you better understand the laws behind concealed carry, as well as why it’s important to have insurance if you so choose to utilize concealed carry.
What is Concealed Carry Insurance?
CCW insurance is an insurance policy or membership designed and intended to help cover the copious legal fees that can accrue in the case of you drawing your firearm in self-defense. The fees that arise from these kinds of situations can be large and extremely intimidating - that’s why it’s good to have insurance on your side.
The fees that come with the firing of a weapon in self-defense, depending on the result, can often include attorney fees, bail, expert witnesses, investigators, trial exhibits, and other related expenses. These fees pile up, and maybe too much for the average person to handle on their own.
Even if you were acting in self-defense and did not intend to commit a crime, you can still be arrested and charged when using your firearm. This kind of situation happens surprisingly often in the case of self-defense, and only further emphasizes the need for CCW insurance.
Is Concealed Carry Insurance Worth It?
Yes. Again, legal fees pile up, and legal resources aren’t always immediately available. Even small cases that end up getting dropped without going to trial can cost over $10,000 between bail, attorney fees, and more. A full-blown murder charge can easily cost over $500,000. In these cases, not having this kind of carry insurance can seriously damage you financially.
Even those who feel they were completely within their right to use a firearm to defend themselves may experience legalities that can put them in financial ruin. In cases of murder from supposed self-defense, bonds can be set at over $500,000 - and that’s before the trial.
Having coverage can be pivotal to survive these kinds of court hearings and fees. With this insurance, you can get a critical response team, assistance in finding a self-defense attorney, extra help with the local police department, and even assistance with getting the charges potentially dropped (so long as there is enough evidence of actual self-defense).
Affording this kind of legal defense on your own is difficult for most, and impossible for some. This is why having concealed carry insurance is worth it.
What Does Concealed Carry Insurance Cover?
This depends on the company you choose to go with. There are 5 major companies known for concealed carry coverage: CCW Safe, USCCA, Second Call Defense, NRA Carry Guard, and US Law Shield.
The differences between these 5 companies are so fast that it would be impossible to compare them effectively. As most of these companies provide insurance only, their coverage vastly relies on your state of residence.
CCW Safe is your best bet. Why? Because CCW Safe is NOT an insurance policy. It is a legal service membership that is set up similarly to a police union model. This is extremely beneficial because it means that you will not be restricted by the normal insurance laws that vary by state. With CCW safe, you are signing up as a member who remains covered under the Terms of Service, and thus not required to work within the insurance companies’ regulations of the state you live in.
Top 5 Reasons to Buy CCW Insurance
While we’ve already gone over the benefits of concealed carry insurance, it’s important to get into the details of why CCW Safe insurance will specifically cater to your needs.
1. It Is a Solid Defense Against Criminal Charges
With proven experience, CCW Safe is one of the only companies in its class to have defended a member dealing with a self-defense incident through a complete murder 1 trial. Through the efforts of the CCW legal protection, his trial resulted in a not guilty verdict with no lesser charges while saving the member with liability coverage.
This is just one example of the protection CCW Safe has proven to give.
2. Most Major Fees are Covered
As mentioned, attorney’s fees and other fees can be super costly. With CCW insurance, most of your fees will be covered. This includes no cap on your criminal defense fund, no cap on your civil defense fund, up to $1 million for civil damage coverage, no cap on investigator’s fees and expenses, as well as the coverage of appeals & criminal record expungement.
3. You Can Choose Your Attorney
Choosing your attorney is as important as correctly choosing the right concealed carry insurance.
Most of the CCW insurance providers allows you to choose your attorney, and will even vet them for you at no extra charge. This allows you to work with an attorney that understands the local laws and ramifications and knows how to work within their confines effectively. The difference between a local vs. out-of-state attorney is vast, so you’ll want to go this route.
4. CCW’s Critical Response Team Will Come To You
Over-the-phone conversations can be straining and result in multiple miscommunications, which is why having a team on the ground is pivotal after a defense incident.
CCW Safe is one of the only providers that deploy its critical defense team directly to your area. The staff at CCW Safe is made up mostly of retired police officers who understand how the system works and will be there for you to help you along the stressful process of being charged.
5. All Funds are Provided 100% Up Front
This is arguably the most important part for those faced with debilitating legal fees.
If you are involved in a self-defense shooting you will likely be arrested and taken in for questioning. If you’re not released and end up being charged with a crime, you will need to find a bail bondsman to bail you out.
The fee is typically 10% of your bond. So, if your bond is $100,000 you need to come up with $10,000 to get out of jail. However, the real legal defense fees begin when you have to retain an attorney and start the judicial process.
In a murder case, an attorney might want as much as $250,000 or more upfront just to take your case.
How Much is Concealed Carry Insurance?
Again, the pricing for CCW insurance varies by the company you choose. If you choose to go with CCW Safe, the price varies on the plan you choose. All plans are reasonably priced with a vast amount of coverage that focuses on assisting you first. Please note that CCW offers protection in 47 states only. The states of New York (NY), New Jersey (NJ), and Washington (WA) do not allow coverage for self-defense incidents.
It generally ranges between $209 to $599 per year depending upon the plan you choose.
Why do people not opt for CCW Insurance?
- There are many reasons people do not opt to buy concealed carry coverage. Most people will say the reason they don’t have concealed carry insurance is because of budget (ie. I can’t afford it). The reality is that this coverage is very reasonably priced and if you are serious about being covered you’ll find a way to afford it.
- The second biggest reason I hear from people that don’t get coverage is that they feel like they’re protected by the 2nd amendment. In other words, they feel that because they are licensed to carry that the 2nd amendment will protect them. But the fact is, this is not a 2nd amendment issue. There are many reasons you could be charged with a crime when using your firearm in self defense. Maybe you made a mistake. Maybe you said the wrong thing to the police when they showed up. Maybe you were wearing a “Kill’em All & Let God Sort’em Out” shirt. Maybe your gun had modifications that triggered the police to believe you had bad intentions. Maybe the witnesses had a different story than you. Maybe there is a political agenda in the local area where the shooting occurred.
Conclusion
We hope this guide proves useful in your CCW insurance decision making. For more information, as well as tools that might help you in the future, including holsters and accessories, feel free to check out our website.