When it comes to picking CCW insurance, the options can be a little overwhelming.
Just like any other type of insurance though, whether it’s car insurance, life insurance, or even the all-important pet insurance (yes, it’s a thing), it’s always a good idea to check out the offerings of a few companies before deciding on which policy to go with.
But shopping for insurance can be tiring and overwhelming…so what type do you choose? Luckily, we’ve gathered the best of the best to help you narrow down the choices and find out which insurance is right for you.
Summary of Our Top Picks
Editor's PickUSCCA Membership includes educational courses and self-defense liability insurance.
Most AffordableBudget friendly with unlimited civil and criminal liability.
Budget No Limit PlanNo limit on crim/civ defenses, affordable, no lost wages reimbursement
Table of Contents
Loading...
Playing the Insurance Game
I’m sure there are a few of you out there that don’t think CCW insurance is even necessary.
For some of you, this may actually be true, but only if you’re somehow stuck in a state that doesn’t recognize the Second Amendment, and/or you’re limited to shooting your firearms at the range only. On top of that, you also need to have decided that you will never use a firearm in self-defense, even at home.
If you meet those conditions, then CCW insurance might not be for you.
For literally everyone else, you should probably at least check out the most basic options available, even if you don’t carry, concealed or otherwise. If you ever need to discharge your firearm — whether it’s at home, in your car, or in the sketchy parking lot outside of that equally sketchy Denny’s — you’ll wish you were covered.
CCW insurance is basically just insurance to cover MOST costs associated with using your firearm in a self-defense situation.
What Does It Cost Anyway?
Regardless of whether the police think it’s a “clean” self-defense shooting, it will likely be something decided in court by a jury. That means court fees, attorneys’ fees, and all the other fun stuff that comes with it.
Unless you’ve got a rainy day fund for this exact purpose, CCW insurance is usually the way to go. (And FYI, that rainy day fund could go towards extra guns and ammo instead. Just saying.)
For more on the benefits, check out the Brownells Daily Defense video below.
Technically Not Insurance, But… [USCAA]
USCCA
One of our team’s favorite options isn’t technically insurance…
However, they are the biggest player whenever someone thinks about “concealed carry insurance.”
But rather, it is a membership where you get tons of education and have personal liability insurance a part of your membership.
A little confusing…but our editor goes over it ALL in his USCCA review. And if it helps…he’s been a member since 2017!
We’ll go over what tier to get, a breakdown of all the courses you get, and how to get a free course from Pew Pew Tactical as well.
But for a quick synopsis here’s the coverage details:
- Liability Insurance Limit: $2,000,000 annual aggregate
- Defense Expense: No Limit
- Cost of Bail Expenses: $100,000 of funds. A $1,000,000 bond usually costs $100,000 or 10% of the total.
- Incidental Expenses: $20,000
- Actual Loss of Earnings: Up to $750 per day
Get the rest of the details here.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
What’s your take on the USCCA?
NRA Carry Guard
RIP NRA Carry Guard…after two years of lawsuits and state investigations, the National Rifle Association announced Carry guard was closing.
But that doesn’t mean you still can’t get some insurance benefits through the NRA. It’s just now an upgraded perk of membership granted through Lockton Affinity Outdoor.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
It’s worth noting that it isn’t directly included in your NRA benefits when you sign up but as an add-on with special pricing.
Personal Firearms Liability Insurance starts at $75 per year. This policy covers costs related to “hunting and shooting accidents, accidental discharges, lost or stolen firearms, and lawful personal defense.”
The Numbers
- Monthly cost – $75/year
- Combined single limit – $250,000
- Criminal defense reimbursement – $50,000
Best Concealed Carry Insurance Providers
Worth noting before we start that all of these options focus on the lowest tier of pricing. Many of these companies offer multiple plans, so if these don’t cover what you want, consider upgrading to a higher-level plan.
1. Right to Bear
If you like options and some flexibility, Right to Bear presents a decent option for those looking to be insured.
Advantages
Offering a single budget-friendly tier — only $11 a month or $125 a year — Right to Bear makes a CCW self-protection plan achievable.
They’ve also upgraded their plan to be unlimited for both civil and criminal court. And if you’re found guilty in criminal court…they won’t claw back the amount.
Plus they’ve got some other great features like online training, psychological support, expert witness coverage, and industry discounts.
And something that I just found out and isn’t on their Features list (but is on their Education tab)…is that they’ll replace your gun if it is taken after a self-defense incident.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Disadvantages
If you’re looking for other add-ons such as spousal insurance, bail-bond coverage, minor coverage, or multi-stage coverage they are add-ons. But at reasonable prices:
- Additional Associate Coverage: $105/Year
- Multi-State Coverage: $35/Year
- Bail Bond Coverage: (Up to $100,000): $35/Year
- Minor Household Children: $35/Year
The Numbers
So what does this plan cost you?
- $11/month or $125 a year
- Add-ons above
See our full review of Right To Bear here.
2. CCW Safe
CCW Safe is a well-established and time-tested CCW coverage plan.
Advantages
One of the biggest draws for CCW Safe is that there is no limit on the amount of criminal or civil defense you are covered for.
Now, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t worry when discharging your firearm since you should only ever use it at the range or in self-defense.
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
It’s just the policy of CCW Safe to provide as much coverage as you need, not as much as they’re willing to budget.
They don’t require a reimbursement method of payment, so you won’t have to worry about paying for any of your civil or criminal defense costs at all.
CCW Safe also does not seek reimbursement of defense costs if you’re found guilty or have to plead to a lesser offense.
Lastly, CCW Safe is the only company we came across which offered a plan specifically for those who only want to be covered for self-defense in their homes. If you don’t or can’t carry outside the home, you can sign up for their Home Defense plan, which provides the same coverage, just limited to your home.
2021 Update: They also now cover red flag incidents with $5k coverage for their lower Defender plan and $10k for their Ultimate plan. And if a red flag case is associated with a covered self-defense case you are covered 100%.
Disadvantages
While close to being the perfect plan, there is one downside to CCW Safe policies. But it’s not really if you read into it…
They cover you if you have a permit or live in a constitutional carry state. Otherwise there is a home only plan for those who live in states where it is difficult to get a permit. AKA where it’s legal anyways.
The Numbers
So what does this awesome plan cost you?
- Monthly cost – $19/mo
- Civil defense coverage limit – no limit
- Criminal defense coverage limit – no limit
- Bail amount – $500,000
- Lost wages compensation – $250/day
Yup…we have a full review of CCW Safe too!
3. US & TX Law Shield
Does size really matter? Your mom seems to think so. That’s right, a your mom joke.
But seriously, even though they are one of the smaller companies in the CCW insurance game, US & TX Law Shield offers a relatively competitive plan, at very competitive prices.
With that lower price comes some tradeoffs.
Advantages
You’d think a smaller company with lower prices wouldn’t be able to compete with the big boys at all. And you’d be wrong. Despite their size, US & TX Law Shield actually has no limit on their civil or criminal defense coverage.
What’s more, the payments are made upfront, so you don’t need to worry about waiting for reimbursements on attorneys’ fees while you’re busy planning your legal defense.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Disadvantages
The lower cost has to be made up somewhere, right? With the cheaper offering from US & TX Law Shield, their basic plan offers NO lost wages compensation, and there are additional charges tacked on to the plan if you want to have bail coverage or have your policy effective throughout the entire US.
It’s essentially a way to tailor your plan to suit your needs. Though after adding back in all the coverage offered as part of a standard policy by the other companies, you might end up paying about the same anyway.
The Numbers
Getting down to brass tacks, here’s where US & TX Law Shield stands:
- Monthly cost – $10.95/mo
- Civil defense coverage limit – no limit
- Criminal defense coverage limit – no limit
- Bail amount – no coverage at the basic level
- Lost wages compensation – no coverage at the basic level
4. Second Call Defense
Not the last call, but the second call (get it???), Second Call Defense sits right in the middle, offering decent coverage limits. They aren’t the best, but also not the worst.
Advantages
Like some of the better plans, Second Call Defense offers upfront payments of all your covered fees, such as attorneys’ fees. So, you don’t have to shell out the money yourself for bail or during the trial.
The coverage also ranks right up there with the big boys and covers the entire US in their standard plan.
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Disadvantages
As a middle-tier offering, the criminal defense coverage is on the lower end, as is the bail amount. Of course, this is pretty much expected going in.
The Numbers
With nothing surprising here as a middle-of-the-road offering, Second Call Defense numbers look like this:
- Monthly cost – $14.95/mo
- Civil defense coverage limit – $500,000
- Criminal defense coverage limit – $50,000
- Bail amount – $5000
- Lost wages compensation – $250/day
So Which Is The Best?
This is where you get the favorite answer of lawyers everywhere…it depends.
While it seems like a cop-out, it really does depend on what you want, and what you think you’ll need.
Even the staff here at Pew Pew Tactical have gone with different providers to suit our individual needs, ranging from USCCA to CCW Safe, and even US & TX Law Shield.
The main thing is that you get some type of insurance, rather than none at all.
Ultimately, just like choosing any other insurance policy, try to see which of these plans seem like they would fit you the best, and check them out in detail.
We even have a couple of reviews on some of the providers, to help you make a more informed decision – if you haven’t read those, take a look at our USCCA and CCW Safe reviews.
Even at around $20/mo for a typical CCW insurance policy, the money adds up, and could easily be spent on ammo instead, so it’s a good idea to be sure you know what you are getting for your money.
Everyone’s situation is different, and someone in a free state like Texas may want to consider a policy that provides more coverage than someone living in the heart of New York City.
It’s also important to note that not all the policies we compared are available in all states. There are varying insurance and firearms regulations across the 50 states, so it never hurts to pick a few options just in case your top choice isn’t available in your home state.
Moving is always an option too.
Final Thoughts
While everyone’s got their own views on insurance policies, at the very least, consider coverage limits and bail amounts when shopping around.
At the end of the day, it all comes down to your situation and what works best for you. But, again, any insurance plan is better than none at all.
Was there a CCW Insurance that we didn’t cover? What CCW insurance did you choose? Let us know in the comments! If you’re looking for a new CCW gun, take a look at the Best New CCW Guns!
CA #4272012
106 Leave a Reply
What about Armed Citizens' Legal Defense Network? Is there a reason they did not make the list?
Unfortunately, most of these “policies” have more holes than a piece of Swiss cheese …all of which can easily result in a denial of coverage. They almost never cover unintentional discharges (the single most common gun-related incident that results in legal charges), they often don’t cover incidents related to family members or people you invite into your home, they may not cover you if you have imbibed any alcohol or are on prescription meds, they generally don’t cover you if you use a firearm in self-defense related to a vicious animal attack (again, a common scenario) and worst of all, they generally deny coverage if a self-defense shooting takes place where you were not legally supposed to carry a firearm (in some states these “gun free zones” change on what seems to be a daily basis). In at least one state that I am aware of, you cannot carry on ANY private property whatsoever without the express permission of the property owner, and many states ban concealed carry on any public transportation, public parks, etc.
uscca is scam shame for you having them on here
US LawShield is not "the smallest." They started as the first prepaid legal company in 2009 and are still the largest at over 750,000 members -- as large as USCCA without the magazine and firearms instruction. They cover full scope of work, hands (physical assault), hunters, negligent discharges, appeals, any criminal charge where defense can be articulated, and have no caps.
USCCA only covers you when compensatory damages are involved--so there is no criminal defense. If you are convicted of any criminal charge, your coverage ends--including if you take a plea. So no appeals (for criminal), and they recoup all the money from you if they paid out anything before you were convicted. They do not cover scope of work (no LEO, etc.). You only get one incident every 12 months, and it can ONLY be when force to stop an imminent threat of grave bodily injury or death is used (no assaults). You also agree to sue on their behalf, and anything you are owed in damages you must give to them. You are paying for a magazine subscription; it is basically useless unless it's a clear-cut in-home shooting where no charges are filed, and damages are available.
Right to Bear (a wing of Palmetto State Armory) does not cover hands--only weapons. They are also not unlimited.. "THE TOTAL, AGGREGATE AND CUMULATIVE LIABILITY OF THE ASSOCIATION, IF ANY, FOR ALL CLAIMS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OF ANY KIND WHATSOVER, WHETHER IN AN ACTION BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR STRICT LIABILITY) OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY, SHALL NOT EXCEED AT ANY GIVEN TIME THE TOTAL AMOUNTS PAID TO THE ASSOCIATION BY ALL ASSOCIATES HEREUNDER IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SIX MONTHS." They only cover (for all members) what they made in the last six months. They have the smallest member base of any company doing "this;" so if you are the next Rittenhouse, they will NOT have the funds to cover you fully. They also do not cover anyone who uses self-defense while working for/in a gun shop, range, or store selling any such devices and ammunition.
Both USCCA and Right to Bear's model is the individual getting into an incident, then trying to find their own attorney who they must hope accepts the terms, and then coverage can begin. This is not the case with US LawShield; your named attorney will answer the phone and (if feasible) show up on the scene immediately to assist. There is no waiting time trying to search for one. They only place in the network each state's best criminal defense attorneys -- for $10.95, 14 years later, they still can't be beaten. Happy to cite any contracts/member agreements if clarity on these coverages is needed.
I like the highlighted best plans for insurance, but additionally we will need an excellent legal team. Do these companies (CCWSafe or USCCA) help find/recommend a legal team, or are you out on your own for that?
Just FYI. New York has BANNED NRA insurance. To make it even more risky to own a firearm in NY.
I decided to go with CCW Safe Ultimate. I wanted something that would cover civil damages, since there always seems to be a civil suit following any incident, and CCW Safe has 1M coverage. The cost of the premium is high but I would rather pay now than regret it later. I didn't like that USCCA would not pay if you are found guilty, which would include a guilty plea to a lesser charge.
I just learned about Bluecoat insurance. Coverage seems very good. Any knowledge of the company?
I'm wondering why the Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network wasn't included here. I'm a huge fan, believe it's the best.
I am thinking of going with Armed Citizens legal - does anyone have any experience with them - any thoughts or advice?
My only experience with them is my membership, their coverage which unlike some companies do cover both criminal and civil cases, and appeals, and do not demand repayment if you lose. Bail benefit caps 50k I believe.
To me their coverage/benefits are straight forward and their website does a good job of providing info. I do recommend thoroughly reading coverage detail, you know the super long fine print some people skip.
Many companies seemed to have many "if, then, but" clauses and were more convoluted, USCAA comes to mind. USCAA does tout their large focus on training; however, as you know one can learn only so much from watching vids.
Armed Citizens Legal Defense Fund sends a few books, has a series of videos, but that's it. I did call to talk to them to get more info before signing up.
I also had prior knowledge of the people who came together to create the company, Mas Ayoob and Jim Fleming in particular.
I'm sure you're familiar with Mas Ayoob. Sadly, Jim Fleming passed away last year. Before becoming a defense attorney, he was a policeman. Shorty before he passed away, he wrote the following exceptional book which if you haven't read it, I highly recommend.
By Jim Fleming: AFTERMATH: Lessons In-Self Defense: What To Expect When the Shooting Stops
I wish you the best luck in finding your preferred company.
If you accept a plea deal, say a misdemeanor rather than go to trial, which over 90% of SD cases end up that way, USCCA's insurer will NOT pay one penny. Why? You admittedly committed a criminal act.
CCW Safe dies not cover any incident in which Force is used against other family members ir when Force is used against people who are in member's house with permission or by invitation, excluding servicemen, delivery, contractors, etc.
Since many self-defense incidents involve family member or people known to a defender, this should be a no go for most people.
From CCW Safe:
"No that is not true, we used to have a domestic exclusion in our terms but it has been removed and as long as it is a legal self defense incident we will provide coverage."
Did you have any recommendations about the NRA's option: Lockton Affinity Outdoor’s Personal Firearm Liability Insurance? What about coverage for your spouse? USCCA charges $199 more. Do other providers?
You should have rated Firearms Legal Protection. In looking at plans, they seem to be right there, or better, than what’s compared here. Not complaining. Thanks for what you do!
Yeah, I think it's odd they didn't list FLP...I've looked at everything out there and FLP is the way to go.
FLP only covers you if you use a weapon (no physical force and no pepper spray) and only when there is the threat of grave bodily harm or death (no assaults). They do not cover appeals, scope of work, or negligent discharges. You pay them if you call the emergency number by accident and also have to pay $49.99 just to ask an attorney a question. Not the best choice.
It isn't clear whether "defense coverage" means only paying for attorney fees and costs to defend a criminal or civil case, or an actual civil judgment or settlement. Can that be clarified?
USCCA is NOT what it used to be. The per Diem is higher than everyone else. If you lose or found guilty in any way, regard of on what count or if it is a reduced charge, they will make you pay the money spent from USCCA back. USCCA is technically not insurance. It says it in the paperwork you receive. You are basically prepaying expenses. Most others are actual insurance. There are some other changes I do not like as well but those are the two main reasons why I am switching. Those of you that have had this insurance a long time, please read you policy since it has most likely changed since you purchased it.
I love US Lawshield. I never have had to use them for a case as if yet, but I travel for work and at times for personal pleasure. The nice thing about US Lawshield is you can call them and talk to a attorney and ask questions about gun laws in both your state and any state you may travel through. You can also call and ask about different changes in the laws and what they mean.
Have you reviewed Self Defense Fund? selfdefensefunddotcom
CCW Safe for me. The Defender I do have my ccw permit
You left out Firearm Legal Protection
I just mentioned that too. They seem the best so far to me. Had USCCA for a year until they upped their cost. Compared others and thinking of FLP. They could have a better website though to explain more.
Before buying USCCA Insurance, read the policy, you will discover that it no longer specifies civil defense coverage.
I’ve read a lot of reviews and everyone leaves out a critical element...civil DAMAGES. If you are sued civilly (not criminally) and the person suing you is awarded damages, who’s going to pay for those? Some may thing their homeowners liability insurance but most policies have intentional act exclusions that would give them the right to deny the claim. This is potentially much larger than say per diem costs, which some reviewers emphasize as an important feature.
Going on what Terry said below, if you take a Plea Deal (which nearly any person would) USCCA will DEMAND ALL their money back also. They will pay up ONLY if you are found Not Guilty!!
Uscca if your found guilty in a self defense trial Uscca has it in their police they can demand all their money back leaving you high and dry. Read their police.
Here’s a reality of insurance: you don’t buy insurance because you need it. You buy insurance in case you need it. A good example is the money I spend on health insurance. I’ve always been fairly healthy, and have never generated enough expenses to justify the outlay. Two years ago I was diagnosed with a high grade cancer. Long story short, I think the insurance has paid out so far something close to $1.2 million.
If you find yourself in a situation to use a firearm defensively, and get charged, that insurance to cover the bail will be worth the price of admission for that alone. Add in the attorney fees, lost wages, getting your gun back, getting your life back on track, not bankrupting your family... how much would that be worth to you?
Don’t buy because you heed it. Buy in case you need it.
Well, you didn't discuss Armed Citizens' Legal Defense Network which is 'recognized' by Massad Ayoob, a very well respected firearms (police) instructor. What do you think of the Armed Citizens' Legal Defense Network and Massad Ayoob?
I have had ACLDN membership for 5 or more years, I don't remember how long. They have been an excellent choice from the start. The initial membership includes an extensive DVD and Online training course and recommendations. Marty and Gila are great people to work with and are accessible, unlike the monster CCW insurance companies. I have received some very good manuals and books from Massad Ayoob, free of charge. Knowing he's on their Team is reassuring. He knows more than most people have forgotten. It's time to renew, and do it I will. Recommended highly!
So, what about Firearms Legal Protection? How do they rate?
I just signed up for US & TX Law Shield. I can add/drop extras (such as 50-state coverage) as needed when I travel out of state.
How was the sign up experience?
Has anybody looked at secondcalldefense.org who also offer a CCW policy. I am considering them now for their middle plan but am unsure of the support for their program ( I seem to se an A rated policy is in the background but no confirmation of their field performance
Do any of these plans offer coverage for a wrongful arrest for concealed carry? For example, what if a local cop doesn’t recognize your LEOSA credentials or he’s of the opinion that your CCW permit from a different State is not valid in their state?
Firearms Legal Protection is one of only a few where you immediately talk to a lawyer and not an answering service. They are on the case right away where as others review the cases once weekly to see what they will take. So say they review them on a Thursday morning and you get arrested Thursday afternoon you will sit in jail for a week and that's hoping they will take the case. I have the Family Premium Membership for $35./month and know a lawyer will be with me quickly and not next week. I also will talk with a lawyer and not an answering service. Whatever you do keep your mouth shut as soon as you call 911. And just say "There has been a Force on Force Firearms Related Incident" Nothing more until you talk your lawyer.
Insurance coverage is useful only if it kicks in if you are arrested and need bail money and an attorney.
When looking at these policies, you have to think of the most unlikely and ridiculous scenario, you could find yourself in and ask if one of these outfits provides coverage.
Here's an example: are you covered if arrested for possession even when you carry lawfully with a CCW and possess a weapon you own legally? The answer, for USCCA, is "NO" because the presumption is if you're not carrying legally, you are already in violation of the law, and they cannot and will not defend you. Yet, if you are involved a self-defense incident (except in N.Y., NJ, and W.A.) in the same jurisdiction, they will defend you.
I'm a USCCA member on the Elite plan ($47 per month). I'm also a retired law enforcement officer authorized to carry concealed in all 50-states and territories of the U.S. by federal law (see LEOSA, 2004).
Federal law supersedes state laws when governance over the same matter arises. But in some anti-gun States like N.J., N.Y., and W.A. (where most of these outfits do not provide coverage), some local jurisdictions pass laws to try to supersede or restrict CCW and LEOSA. In N.J., there are reports of arrests of active and retired LEO's for violation of local ordinances for violations of restrictive ammo ordnances. Yes, you read that correctly. LEO's in N.J. check the type of ammo CCW and LEOSA authorized persons carry and, arrest violators if they carry unauthorized ammo (e,g, hollow points).
The point is, you have to think through what could go wrong when you carry. In this day and age, even the most innocuous situation leading to your arrest could put you in a position where coverage does not kick in even though you may think it should do so. And the whole point of coverage is to ensure you don't have to sell everything you own to pay for your defense.
What happens if you have two CCW insurance plans such as USCCA and CCW Safe. Who pays? and will one cover the difference if say one doesn't have enough to cover all the bail or defense?
USCCA will not cover you if any other entity exists that can be responsible for your case, period. "When this insurance is excess, we will have no duty under this Coverage to defend the “insured” against any "claim" or suit if any other insurer has a duty to defend the “insured” against that "claim" or suit."
CCW Safe will attempt to negotiate and work with other entities if terms are agreeable.
How many of the mentioned plans have the backing or underwriting of a credible insurance company to guarantee the company’s financial credibility and ability to come through when its member needs it? For example, USCCA is self insured. It has no insurance company backing! Depending on USCCA requires its members to rely, solely, on its financial strength to cover them in an emergency. Yet, USCCA refuses to provide its members with any accounting of its financial strength! In other words, the paying member has no assurance that, when he/she needs coverage, that USCCA possesses the financial strength to be there! If a carrier cannot/will not provide its member evidence of its financial credibility, then relying on that company is like buying a “pig in a poke”! Yet, my review of several company plans indicates that USCCA offers the best all-around benefits! It, really, is not an encouraging situation! Maybe the absence of insurance underwriters to such companies is a highly revealing deterrent!
If they are really legit why would they not offer up proof of solvency?
I’m wondering if I were to get a ccwsafe defender plan for $179 but then supplement it with the ACLDN so I would have my civil liabilities covered for only $135 vs $220 a year with the add on civil coverage as well an advantage in the state of Washington. Any thoughts? Also what about Firerms Legal Protection? I hear no mention of them and from the website they look pretty enticing as well.
The reviews seem to be pretty thorough, however none cite the number of policies they have in force or the number of cases they have defended and/or won for their clients. I'm all for ccw insurance but I think that it's important to know their experience record and how successful they've been in defending their clients. Mentioning George Zimmerman may be good publicity but I wouldn't hang my hat on one case.
Just wanted to say thanks for doing this comparison. It was very helpful and I appreciate your work !
This was helpful. Called my insurance agency thinking my homeowners would have some coverage -- duh. No. I ultimately, after agonizing over it quite a bit going back and forth primarily between USCCA and CCW Safe, went with CCA Safe. Thanks for a great article to get it rolling for me. I hope I NEVER have to find out how good it is!
You did not mention LegalShield which is what Front Sight is recommending and what actually got me looking in to getting some sort of CHL Insurance.
LegalShield makes to pay for their base legal coverage for random stuff (like divorce and car accidents), then you pay to add the gun owner supplement--so it starts at $44.90. They cannot be charged with a crime and be covered by them. You may only call the emergency line once you are detained by police. They do not cover bail. No other coverage can exist. It only covers shootings with firearms--no physical force, discharges, or brandishings. For gun owners, you are capped at 20 hours pre-trial and 40 hours trial. This is worthless for a significant case such as murder--which is why they do not cover criminal charges. They do not cover appeals and do not cover cops/security. For the money, any other option is a better option than them.
Some of the information in this article is wrong. I googled CCW Safe, the article says there is NO limit to the coverage, their website specifically say’s limit is one million dollars. Best to do your own homework, before you buy, I went there to buy it, but didn’t.
Thanks Gary, policies change so we'll double-check and update the article!
Hello!
We reached out to CCW safe to double-check and the coverage remains the same "Criminal, civil and administrative defense costs are covered 100% without cap." The $1mil cap you saw is for damages awarded (if you lose the civil case), not the cost of the defense. The defense is covered 100%.
Thanks for clarifying that, my bad.
I am going to start the process to get my CCW here in CA and I will for sure purchase coverage to protect myself in case I ever have to use my weapon to protect my self, but I am stuck deciding between two of the companies above. USCCA & CCW Safe. I am leaning towards CCW Safe because it offers unlimited dollars for criminal defense and civil defense.
As an insurance agent, don't hold that against me, I often tell my clients to buy the most insurance they can afford and that is why I think CCW Safe would be the best option because defense costs can use up the $250,000 max USCCA offers in a blink of an eye leaving me picking up the rest.
What is stopping me from pulling the trigger, is the shear number of people who recommend USSCA, most of which are experts in firearms. So I guess I am asking, for a compelling reason to go with USCCA beyond the amazing amount oftraining materials they provide and/or compelling reason to not go with CCW Safe. HELP!
This may come a bit late to you from the date of your posting, but I just came across it today. I guess we all have to also take in consideration that maybe USCCA pays more for it’s advertising (pays people for recommending USCCA as a great company), just be weary … I did see a YouTube video that discussed that we should read the policy/literature SECTION 1, subsection 1 to see that it really does NOT fully cover you as a paying member.
USCCA WAS UNRESPONSIVE. I emailed them 3x asking them to answer a few Qs before I make my decision to join, and NO ONE EVER GOT BACK TO ME. I even “chatted” with a rep who confirmed the email address was correct. Both CCWSAFE and US LAWSHEILD had comprehensive replies to my questions within 36 hours. Lesson learned: USCCA will take the time to bombard you with marketing emails but cannot spare a few minutes to answer questions for a prospective member.
(Note: Due to disability, I am not able to call; this was not an issue for CCWSafe or US LAWSHEILD —- they were there for me when I needed them.)
Hmmm. If they were that unresponsive during the SALE cycle - I can't even imagine how responsive they would be should there be a case opened. Pass! These folks should respond to Email within 24 hours (business days). I work at a high tech company and get between 200 and 300 Emails daily - now, not every email requires a response, but prospects and clients get my #1 priority and get my attention within 1 hour. 1 day is mediocre in this day and age! So I say, put them to the test (as you have). Nicely done.
What do y’all think of Firearms Legal Protection?
US and TX Law Shield have been the defendant in a class-action lawsuit as of 2015. I don't know how or if that case was resolved, but they apparently had pretty shady contractual practices that allowed them to opt out of representing their members. Of course, that defeats the entire purpose. I'd like to see this review updated to take that into consideration.
I believe they were found not guilty or whatever the word is I’m looking for at 1am when I should be sleeping. :) Just go find out how it was resolved. Also, I’m pretty sure uscca is the one with the sketchiest record between the two. :)
I currently use FLP (Firearms Legal Protection) since it was recommended by SDCGO a few years back. I would be interested in your assessment of them
It appears from their website that CCW Safe has NY, NJ and WA limitations. Otherwise, coverages look very strong.
A few of these insurance companies opt out of covering people in NY, NJ and Washington. Whos next?
What about Legal Shield? Any opinions? They are the endorsed provider by Front Sight (for what it's worth).
I have Legal Shield and I just found out they have supplemental insurance for gun owners, but it looks like it is not as comprehensive as the ones listed above. From what I read they provide you some access to ask questions from attornies that specialize in firearm law, 20 hours of pre-trial and 40 hours of post-trial representation and then discounted rates, which is very similar to their regular Legal Shield plan I have, but it does not provide all the other bells and whistles. So I would call a limited plan and it is $12.95 a month in addition to the regular plan. It is better than nothing, but I think the plans above are better and offer more comprehensive plan. The one thing the Legal Shield plan offers is the assistance of an attorney to file NFA paperwork if that is something you are looking for at $250.
Have you - will you rate FLP - Firearms legal Protection , plz. They say they have coverage in both Civil and Criminal suits, Uncapped Attorney Fees, all 50 states, lost wages reimbursement, firearms confiscation coverage, Bail up to $250K, expert witness/investigator fees, etc.
I wish you had included ACLDN. They have a long and good track record. Their biggest disadvantage compared to CCW Safe and USCCA is a relatively small war chest. For example, I doubt they could have funded George Zimmerman's defense.
Hey Kendahl, ACLDN is definitely on our radar, but like you mentioned, they are relatively small, and so didn't make the cut this time. That being said, some of my friends have used ACLDN to supplement their primary CCW insurance and have been pretty satisfied with that setup.
I use ACLDN to suppliment my membership in another firearms owners' defense company with higher limits. ACLDN is only $95 per year after the first year, and their Advisory Board includes Massad Ayoob, John Farnam, Tom Givens, Dennis Tueller and attorneys James Fleming and Emanual Kapelsoh.
Yeah, I want those guys on my side.
The author of this article states he chose CCW Safe as his insurance provider.
Paul,
Can we discuss the new Lockton Affinity Outdoor Personal Firearm Liability insurance offering?
Hi Jeff, that one didn't make it onto our list this time, since we were only considering the 5 most popular ones, but maybe next time! For what it's worth, I believe Lockton was involved with the now-defunct NRA Carry Guard, so the policies may be similar, especially in terms of reimbursement of legal fees after the charges are dropped or you are acquitted.
Look up the "Best's" rating on Lockton -- you probably will decide to forgo using them.
Has anybody heard about Self Defense Fund (SDF)? It looks good on paper, but there's not as much information about them online as about some of the bigger names.
My LTC instructor was trying to sell us LegalShield in class but I don't like being pressured to buy so I wanted to more research on these companies. Thanks for you article and have you any opinion on or heard about LegalShield LTC insurance?
Hey Daniel, my understanding is LegalShield is a standard insurance that allows for a gun owner's supplemental insurance, so you would not be able to purchase that insurance without an existing LegalShield insurance policy. This article is mainly focused on CCW insurance that is independent of standard insurance policies, but I'll definitely give other offerings another look in the next article!
USCCA offers "Gun Confiscation Without Due Process" protection. Does CCW Safe offer this protection? I did not see anything about this on their site and can not find this issue in comparisons.
Yes, if you opt in for the Ultimate Plan ($499/year in one payment):
"EXTREME RISK PROTECTION ORDER COVERAGE (“Red Flag Law” Coverage): The "Ultimate Plan" is the ONLY membership subscription that covers a legally issued Extreme Risk Protection Order that does not follow a Recognized Self-defense Use of Force Incident. CCW Safe will provide services and a contracted Attorney to represent the Primary Member and the Spouse who are Ultimate Plan members if they are found to be the subject of an Extreme Risk Protection Order. This will include all legal proceedings or hearings. CCW Safe will pay the legal fees of the Contracted Attorney up to the maximum amount of $10,000 per covered member."
(Quoted from https://ccwsafe.com/terms)
They claim to be the only company that offers this benefit.
And no, I do not work for them. I just happened to have been reading through their Terms of Service earlier today. You do you.
I live in NJ and had CCW Safe. I believe they have the best policy out there. However, one day I received a letter basically saying "As of now we are not covering you anymore." Reason given is because of our new governors stance on guns. I can't blame them for that. But leave me suddenly hanging without any coverage is abysmal to say the least. They should have been courteous enough to give me a few days to get other insurance.
So what did you do or what company did you select instead?
Has anyone used 2A-Legal.com ? If so what do you think?
US LawShield is in NJ still.
Tried to sign up with USCAA & quickly discovered Washington state insurance commissioner has fined & barred them from selling insurance in the state. Washington state is fast becoming an anti-gun state suffering from the left-coast cancer spreading northward. Is there any protection for CCW in this state?
Yes, Armed Citizen Legal Defense Network, they are not insurance and they are headquartered in Washington State.
Thank you. I am looking for CCW... something
Good article and review, Paul. I went with the Defender offering from CCW Safe. It was close though as USCCA and Law Shield are comparable. I have a CCW permit in Wisconsin so the plan I chose seemed the best fit for me, combined with the no limit coverages.
Do any of the insurers cover "negligent discharge" situations?
US LawShield does. LegalShield, CCW Safe, and FLP do not. I am not 100% on USCCA, but I would imagine not since they don't even cover criminal charges--I am sure their insurance would not help you with an ND.
US Law Shield also covers appeals and any retrials with no dollar limit!
That is good to know, as I had not even considered that possibility; which in this litigious culture is more likely a probability.
I see you commented 18 minutes ago hopefully you are still on. What about civil insurance? most wont cover it or its a lot more extra. Do I need this? How important is it? Wayne
I notice there is bias in your article.You lean towards USCAA because they have been around the longest. If you compare them to CCW Safe there is no comparison in value.
CCW Safe -Monthly cost – $22/mo
Civil defense coverage limit – no limit......HUGH
Criminal defense coverage limit – no limit.....HUGH
Bail amount – $500,000.......HUGH
Lost wages compensation – $250/day........HUGH
USCAA - Monthly cost – $22/mo
Civil defense coverage limit – $500,000
Criminal defense coverage limit – $100,000
Bail amount – up to $100,000 (amount is deducted from criminal defense limit)
Lost wages compensation- $3000 total
How can you possibly say USCAA is a better plan ??
Have not selected a plan yet. Was leaning towards USCCA until I saw the type of aggressive, intervention training they are doing. Talked to a firearms Attorney and apparently others are troubled also.
Can you explain that a little more..
Not sure why one would discount disqualify Law Shield because of the class action suit against them for over aggressively pushing their service at TX LTC (CHL) classes, when USCCA overaggressively pushes their services in your email inbox every single day.
I have been looking and CCW Safe has the best coverage...
Hi, went with Armed Citizen Legal Defense Fund....hope I don't need it but am glad to have it.
One main reason I may switch from USCCA to TX-LAw shield...
https://www.uslawshield.com/huntershield/index.php?st=tx
I used the link you provided and it seems to only be ads for insurance for hunters.
I do not see where it offers any insight into using TX Law Shield over USCCA or any other carry insurance?
Also, do any of them cover you if you act to save someone else's life?
It's listed under "Good Samaritan" coverage. I did see it somewhere in my all day research so far, but I don't know where. Most STATES have Good Samaritan law exemptions for emergencies such as life saving.
US LawShield covers you criminally and civilly (unlimited) if you perform medical aid after a shooting or similar event, as long as you take their trauma course
What about Firearms Legal Protection?
Uscca will not take clients from WA state, because of insurance regs. Bummer!
Also, same problem as Ryan...can’t see last few columns in chart.
US LawShield is the only company in WA state. They do their due diligence in working with state DOJs to operate there and have retained permission to cover members living in WA.
Cannot read the read the last two columns on the right side of the chart. Ads cut them off. Definitely an interesting topic for me. I would like to see the whole chart.