Concealed Carry Insurance: What is it and What Does it Cover?

Concealed carry insurance (sometimes called CCW or self-defense insurance) is a relatively new type of coverage for gun owners, but it's become very popular with both men and women who carry a firearm. There are several companies that offer this type of insurance, and it's something to seriously consider investing in if you regularly carry a gun.

What Is Concealed Carry Insurance?

Concealed Carry insurance is an extra layer of protection that can help you legally and financially if you're ever in a self-defense situation where you have to use your gun. This type of coverage will help you pay for legal fees, bail bonds, and other expenses involved with defending yourself if you have to justify your actions in court. Just like car or health insurance, there are different levels of coverage and maximum dollar amounts for the different types of coverage.

Some people think they don't need insurance if their use of force is justified, but unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Even if you are 100% in the right, there's a good chance you're going to have to have a very good lawyer and a lot of money to prove you acted within the law. Putting together a legal defense can be incredibly expensive and if you don't have coverage, you could find yourself going bankrupt trying to defending yourself.

What Does Concealed Carry Insurance Cover?

Upon first glance, it may look like every company is offering exactly the same coverage, but there are important differences to be aware of. Most companies offer plans that assist with the cost of bail bonds, civil and criminal liability attorney fees, psychological services, and expert witnesses. Some plans offer family coverage for an extra cost and many offer different levels of coverage so you can choose what works best for you.

When you are evaluating the different companies, check to see if they select your attorney or if you get to choose your own, if there are any occurrence limits or caps on covered costs, if they offer coverage for appeals and expert witnesses/consultants, wage loss coverage, and firearm replacement coverage.

Concealed Carry Insurance Options

As of mid-2020, there are 6 main companies offering comprehensive concealed carry/self-defense plans or memberships. Each company offers similar coverage, but there are some differences, so it’s important to take a close look at what they offer before signing up. Some companies are not able to offer coverage in all 50 states, so make sure to check on that when you start evaluating options.

USCCA

USCCA stands for United States Concealed Carry Association. Their self-defense/concealed carry protection is part of their membership package (paid monthly), which includes benefits like a subscription to their magazine and free entry into their annual conference. USCCA coverage is available in all 50 states and it covers the use of all legal firearms.

CCW Safe

CCW Safe offers two main plans, the “Defender” that can be paid monthly, and the “Protector” plan, which is an annual membership. They offer online content and a 24-hour emergency number, and they claim to have the highest bond coverage in the industry. They also offer a lower-cost plan that’s reserved for retired law enforcement and retired/active military.

Second Call Defense

Second Call Defense was one of the first membership organizations in the US to offer nationwide, 24-hour support for gun owners who are forced to defend themselves or their family with a firearm. They offer three levels of membership (Entry, Full, and Elite), and all plans are offered at a monthly or yearly rate. A spouse can be added to your membership for an extra fee per-month and as of now, they do not offer coverage for all 50 states.

Armed Citizens' Legal Defense Network

The ACLDN network is made up of over 17,000 armed citizens. They state that they are not insurance - they are a pre-paid legal service that includes a legal defense network. Membership is paid annually and they discount the cost of renewals. They offer a limited amount of assistance with criminal defense attorney fees initially and require a board review of your case to determine additional coverage amounts. Their membership was available in all 50 states, but they recently had to discontinue accepting memberships from Washington State residents.

Firearms Legal Protection

Firearms Legal Protection provides uncapped legal defense coverage for its members who legally use a firearm in self-defense or defense of others. They offer two individual memberships as well as a family option and membership dues are paid monthly or yearly. They offer coverage for gun owners in all 50-states and have separate plans for a few states. Criminal and civil attorney fees are covered with no limit and they provide a limited amount of coverage for expert witness costs. This article does provide self-defense or insurance advice.

U.S. Law Shield

U.S. Law Shield offers membership-based coverage and their website says they are trusted by over 500,000 members. Their membership includes state-specific educational videos, law updates, and online resources, and membership dues can be paid monthly or yearly. Their coverage includes a member perks program that includes a national network of more than 3,000 affiliate gun ranges, gun stores, and various retailers.

The information above is for information purposes only and was current at the time of this writing. Companies, coverage, and prices change, please check with each company to verify their pricing and coverage before signing up for services. Companies are not listed in any particular order.