Self-defense

As a concealed carrier, you use your firearm to defend against armed robbers. A witness comes forth and says, “That guy shot those other people without provocation.” Now you have the district or county prosecutor looking to file charges. It was clearly self-defense, but you still may face criminal charges associated with the case. That’s an example where you want your concealed carry insurance policy to kick in.

 

Negligent discharge

You took your concealed carry pistol out to transfer it to your glovebox. The pistol, whether due to mechanical defect or otherwise, discharges. Because other people heard the shot, they call the police. The police arrive and they charge you with something lame like “discharging a firearm within city limits.” Now you have a criminal court case to deal with.

 

Use Of Deadly Force

It’s late at night and you’re walking home from the movie theater and two teenagers rob you at – what you believe – is gunpoint. You shoot one of them and the suspect dies. Even though the police may have ruled it self-defense, the aggrieved mother says that her son was a straight-A honor student incapable of such a heinous act and files a civil suit.

 

Personal Firearm Use

You're out on your personal range firing at a target when you realize too late that the neighbor’s dog strayed out in the woods behind where your targets were posted. Your neighbor says that this dog was a fine pedigree, last of its family, and demands money as compensation for damages in a civil suit.

 

Other Considerations

 

• Civil court costs, criminal court costs, attorney fees related to trial, testimony, witnesses, and court fees — added bonus if they also cover retrials.

• Initial bail bond — When there is reasonable doubt on behalf of law enforcement about the justifiable use of a firearm, the judge tends to set bail high. It’s not uncommon for bail amounts to be set at $100,000 or more depending upon the severity of the charges. That means you will either sit in jail until the trial or you need to pony up $10,000 for the bail. Does your concealed carry insurance cover this cost?

• Initial attorney retainer fees — These fees can be upwards of $50,000 to cover a criminal defense case and need to be “cash in hand” before the attorney takes the case.

• Coverage across state lines — Does your policy “blackout” when you cross the New Jersey state line? If it does, it’s worthless.  Make sure to get specific answers to this question in particular because you may not always be in your home state when something happens.

• Caps — Most concealed carry insurance policies will have caps. That means that after expenditures have reached a certain amount (usually dependent upon the plan you’ve purchased), the insurance policy does not cover additional costs. Even if you’re covered for a relatively large sum – like $100,000 – you will be surprised how fast that money goes over the course of an actual criminal trial.