As a gun owner, the concept of getting concealed carry insurance may have piqued your interest. However, with such a wide range of information regarding permits and different types of insurance, figuring out what’s best for you may feel overwhelming.
Buying concealed carry insurance is worth it for many gun owners who want peace of mind in knowing they’ll be legally and financially covered in case of a mishap. However, the premiums of this type of insurance can get pretty steep, and the chances of you needing to use it are relatively low.
The same company that I trust for firearms and ammunition now offers concealed carry insurance. To learn more about what they have to offer, go here.
Ultimately, deciding on the best approach to take in this case requires considering various factors that can affect the nature of your decision. Therefore, in the following sections, I’ll go through everything you need to know to make the best-informed decision regarding concealed carry insurance.
Why You Do (or Don’t) Need Concealed Carry Insurance
You need concealed carry insurance when you’ve drawn your firearm in an act of self-defense. Whatever the outcome of this act is, there’ll be legal proceedings, and they can be expensive; therefore, buying insurance means at least part of these expenses will be covered.
However, if you can afford the legal fees by yourself, getting this type of insurance won’t offer much value, meaning you might not need it.
Related Concealed Carry Insurance Comparison Chart.
The Pros of Getting Concealed Carry Insurance
The main advantage of concealed carry insurance is it gives you legal protection if you use your registered firearm against someone in self-defense. As a gun owner, you’re already prepared to use your gun to defend yourself or your family against possible threats.
However, you should be aware that there can be some serious legal repercussions once you use your weapon, no matter how innocent you are. Consequently, there’ll also be major expenses coming your way.
These expenses might include posting bail, prohibitive costs, court appearances, civil litigation, and more. Once you use your firearm for self-defense, you’ll need to consider all possibilities of how the situation can play out, and there’s not one scenario that doesn’t include a lengthy legal process.
Concealed carry insurance can cover most or some of the expenses you might incur, meaning you’ll have one less thing to worry about in an already high-stress situation.
Concealed carry insurance also provides you with a specialized attorney in most cases. This means that if you’re charged with a crime, your provider will assign you a knowledgeable, experienced attorney to represent you in your case. As you can imagine, it would be much harder to find and pay a specialized advocate on your own.
Finally, in addition to all the material benefits, concealed carry insurance gives you peace of mind as well. Even if you’re entirely innocent, there’s always a chance you can get arrested and charged with a crime.
However, you’ll be able to sleep better knowing you’ll be able to defend yourself at any moment because you know that if worse comes to worst, you’ll be covered and protected by your insurance.
The Cons of Getting Concealed Carry Insurance
While many gun owners consider purchasing concealed carry insurance as a good way of protecting themselves and being prepared for any possible scenario, others aren’t as sure that paying for this type of coverage is worth the investment.
First of all, many gun owners believe the chances of needing concealed carry insurance are so slim that it’s not worth making monthly payments towards insurance.
This is based on the belief the gun will likely never be used because, as in most cases, its very presence can make the threat go away. Thus, you may never have to use the insurance you pay for, and you’ll be out of hundreds, if not thousands of dollars anyway.
Furthermore, many believe concealed carry insurance is priced much higher than it needs to be, especially for something with such low chances of happening. In most cases, the coverage fees are simply unattainable by many gun owners, and the cheaper alternatives offer so little coverage they hardly provide any value.
Additionally, for those who can afford to pay their legal expenses in case of an emergency, getting concealed carry insurance might turn out to be costlier in the long run.
Finally, some gun owners would say concealed carry insurance isn’t needed because the Second Amendment is supposed to protect you. Essentially, with a concealed carry license, you’ll be covered if and when you use your gun in self-defense.
However, it’s important to remember that just because you have a license to carry a gun, it doesn’t mean you’ll always be protected in a self-defense case.
Is It Worth Getting Concealed Carry Insurance?
It’s worth getting concealed carry insurance in most cases. No matter how low the probability is of drawing your gun in self-defense, and regardless of innocence, concealed carry insurance helps to avoid paying tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees out of your pocket at once.
Getting concealed carry insurance can help you manage not only your fees but many stress-inducing procedures as well.
It’s true that it’s a scenario that happens rarely, and you hope you won’t need it, but it’s good to know that in any case, you’ll be protected. Additionally, there are some cheaper plans in the market that offer decent coverage at low prices, allowing you not to feel the burden of the monthly payment.
Related Is There a Difference Between a Carry Permit and a Concealed Permit?
How Does Concealed Carry Insurance Work?
Having explained what concealed carry insurance is, it’s time to get into the details of how it works. In short, this type of insurance can work differently for different insurance providers, depending on what they choose to cover. It’s up to you to read through each plan and decide what you prefer.
No matter the provider, though, you know you’ll have funds that’ll help you with expenses in a case of self-defense.
Concealed carry insurance works differently with each provider since they have a choice in how they help cover expenses. Some offer coverage upfront for legal defense, while others provide compensation after the legal case is settled.
Some firms may even choose not to cover any expenses, but they might provide you with a specialized lawyer who can take on your case. This policy can be ideal in those cases where you have the money for your legal defense but don’t have the necessary contacts.
You should consider two crucial factors when deciding whether you want to purchase this type of coverage. Firstly, concealed carry insurance isn’t required by law; you can always choose not to buy any insurance as someone who carries a concealed firearm, which is within your rights. Secondly, this type of insurance only covers expenses for lawful self-defense. In any other case, your costs wouldn’t be covered.
What Type of Concealed Carry Liability Insurance Is Available?
I highly suggest researching every provider in your area and seeing what each of them is willing to offer you if you choose to buy their concealed carry insurance.
There are three types of concealed carry liability insurance available:
- Insurance backed coverage
- Group legal funds
- Membership-based access to insurance
Insurance-backed coverage is similar to other types of insurance you might have already purchased. When choosing this alternative, it’s required to periodically contribute to be insured, knowing the probability of ever needing the coverage is low.
Group legal funds are funds created to provide you with trained lawyers who’ll be assigned to your case. This alternative isn’t offered by insurance companies.
Membership-based access to insurance is offered by organizations to their subscribed members, in addition to other benefits.
What Does Firearm Liability Insurance Cover?
Some firearm liability insurance only offers coverage after the trial and if you’re acquitted. Others may offer coverage regardless of the result, but all providers require you to have used your firearm in self-defense. The type and extent of what’s covered ultimately depends on the provider.
Some providers offer all-in-one packages, including legal liability, firearms liability, bond payment, and income interruption. Others may only include some of these options based on certain conditions.
I need to reiterate that you should be careful and research different options regarding providers and their policies. This ensures you’re choosing the company with the best coverage for your needs.
A key factor to consider when choosing a coverage program is attorney fees. Criminal or civil defense is costly, and it’s important to have that covered should you need it.
Also, consider looking for companies covering bail bonds to ensure you won’t spend any time behind bars. Another area you’d ideally want your provider to cover is expert resources, optimizing your chances of winning the case.
In general, when a confrontation happens wherein you must draw your gun in self-defense, you can be sure you’ll have to pay significant amounts of money, no matter the circumstances.
The simplest case can cost up to $10,000, and a much more complicated case, like a murder, can cost upwards of $500,000. Concealed carry insurance can help cover a good portion of these sums.
However, it’s important to know that concealed carry insurance doesn’t cover:
- Negligent handling of guns
- Missing or stolen guns
- Damaged guns
- Liability of instructors
Where Do I Get Concealed Carry Insurance?
There are several providers offering different coverage options based on various budgets and needs.
Here are some of the best providers for concealed carry insurance:
- Right to Bear
- CCW Safe
- Second Call Defense
- U.S. Law Shield
- Firearms legal protection
Right to Bear
I was excited when I heard that the same company that owns Palmetto State Armory, was now offering coverage for gun owners. As some of you may know, PSA is one of the industry leaders in offering affordable and quality firearms and ammunition to Americans. It only stands to reason that they would know what they are doing in the insurance game.
As of this writing, there are four plans available fit any budget and need:
| Bronze | Silver | Gold | Platinum | |
| Annual Cost | $115 | $235 | $385 | $595 |
| Per Incident | $25,000 | $250,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 |
| Aggregate Total | $50,000 | $500,000 | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| Spousal Coverage | $48 | $60 | $80 | $100 |
| Bail Bond Reimbursement | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 |
| Compensation in Court | $35 | $35 | $35 | $35 |
| Accidental Discharge | $75 | $75 | $75 | $75 |
All plans also currently include multi-state coverage, psychological support, expert witness coverage, and a 24/7 claims hotline.
To learn more about their mission to help give peace of mind to all freedom-loving US citizens, go here to visit their website.
CCW Safe
CCW Safe is one of the most well-known concealed carry insurance providers, offering extensive coverage and legal defense plans at reasonable prices. Their biggest advantage is that they have a selection of specialized attorneys who can help you with your case. The monthly cost of a basic plan is around $18, while others can go up to $50 per month.
Second Call Defense
Second Call Defense is a more budget-friendly provider that offers decent coverage. It’s a mid-tier company, so you get good coverage and upfront payments of the covered fees. On the other hand, criminal defense and bail coverage can be very limited. The monthly costs can be around $15.
U.S. Law Shield
U.S. Law Shield is a smaller company offering coverage at affordable prices. Their coverage is fairly extensive, but additional costs exist in some cases–for example, if you want bail coverage. An additional disadvantage is you can’t pick your own attorney. The monthly cost is around $11.
Firearms Legal Protection
Firearms Legal Protection is another small provider but still an excellent option with satisfactory coverage. With FLP, you’ll be able to choose a program that best fits your needs and budget, and you can pay as little as $13 per month. This program is, of course, more limited than other, more expensive options. A disadvantage is you have to pay extra for nationwide coverage.
Alternatives to Getting a Concealed Carry Insurance Plan
If you decide that getting concealed carry insurance isn’t worth it for you, there are some alternatives to consider.
United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)
The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) isn’t an actual insurance provider, but it’s well-known for supporting self-defense cases. It’s a membership-based organization, where liability insurance is part of the perks of membership. However, it can be quite expensive to join, and the coverage may be limited.
Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network (ACLDN)
The Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network (ACLDN) is another organization that isn’t exactly an insurance provider but can help you get the most out of it. It’s more of a legal service company, offering coverage for bail and legal defense. They have an impressive selection of specialized attorneys available to help you.
However, since it’s not an insurance provider, it doesn’t offer other types of coverage. The membership cost is $135 for the first year and then $95 for every additional year after you renew.
As you can see from the options above, the cost of concealed carry insurance can vary. You can find budget-friendly plans at $10 to $15 a month, with smaller local companies or mid-tier providers, but chances are the coverage will be limited, and you may have to pay extra fees in case of a trial.
On the other hand, it’s possible to find some more expensive plans at $25 to $50 a month, which will cover almost all the expenses you need and provide you with an excellent legal defense. The ideal choice for you’ll ultimately depend on personal preferences and priorities.
Final Thoughts
I’d strongly recommend getting concealed carry insurance if you want to ensure your expenses will be covered should you need to use your gun in self-defense. Although the chances of that happening might be small, it’s worth paying a reasonable premium to provide you peace of mind.
For more, check out How To Choose the Best Gun To Buy (Based on Your Needs)
Jim James is a published author and expert on the outdoors and survivalism. Through avid research and hands-on experience, he has gained expertise on a wide variety of topics. His time spent at college taught him to become really good at figuring out answers to common problems. Often through extensive trial and error, Jim has continued to learn and increase his knowledge of a vast array of topics related to firearms, hunting, fishing, medical topics, cooking, games/gaming, and other subjects too numerous to name.
Jim has been teaching people a wide variety of survivalism topics for over five years and has a lifetime of experience fishing, camping, general survivalism, and anything in nature. In fact, while growing up, he often spent more time on the water than on land! He has degrees in History, Anthropology, and Music from the University of Southern Mississippi. He extensively studied Southern History, nutrition, geopolitics, the Cold War, and nuclear policy strategies and safety as well as numerous other topics related to the content on survivalfreedom.com.