It’s no secret that American gun owners keep their weapons primarily for self-defense. In fact, nearly three-quarters of Americans that own guns do so to protect themselves.

That said, actually using your gun to shoot an attacker can be its own nightmare. Shooting someone (even in self-defense) can invite significant financial risk for the person who pulled the trigger. That’s why many people who carry a concealed weapon (CCW) choose to buy concealed carry insurance.

If you have a concealed carry permit, insurance is a must, even if you just keep firearms to defend your home. Let’s take a closer look at how CCW insurance works, how to compare coverage, and some of the most popular CCW insurance companies on the market today.

What Is CCW Insurance?

CCW insurance works the same as car or home insurance. If you’re ever in a situation where you need to use your concealed weapon, CCW insurance will cover your expenses (provided you acted within the boundaries of state and federal laws).

There are plenty of expenses you might incur if you’re involved in a self-defense shooting. The two major consequences are:

• Murder Charges: If you kill someone in self-defense, you can be arrested for murder, and facing huge expenses to get bonded out of jail. After that, you’ll need a lawyer to defend you in criminal court (and keep you out of jail).
• Wrongful Death Lawsuits: It may sound crazy, but even if you beat your criminal case, the family of the person you shot can sue you for wrongful death.

CCW insurance can protect you from these problems — even if the event occurs in public, and you aren’t carrying concealed. The majority of CCW insurance plans will also cover you if you need to defend yourself within your own home. That’s right — castle doctrine doesn’t apply everywhere. You can face civil and criminal charges simply by defending yourself in the comfort of your home.

Long story short, if you’re planning on keeping a gun for self-defense — whether it’s in your home, in your car, or on your person — you’re putting yourself at risk if you don’t have a CCW insurance policy.

Key Features of the Best CCW Insurance

Concealed carry insurance covers you for more than just using your CCW when you’re out and about. Most CCW insurance companies cover members in a variety of situations. Here are a few key types of coverage that nearly every CCW insurance company offers.

Self-Defense Insurance

This is the most basic type of coverage that CCW insurance includes. If you’re in a situation where you need to use a gun to defend yourself (either at home or out in the world) self-defense insurance will cover you financially.

The specifics of self-defense insurance will vary from plan to plan, though. For example, some plans will only cover you if you’re in your home. Others will only cover self-defense with a firearm, while others will include any type of weapon.

If you’re the kind of person who carries something other than a firearm for self-defense (even a less-lethal option like a taser), make sure that your plan covers that weapon, too.

Accident Insurance

Guns are inherently dangerous weapons, and mishandling them can be just as dangerous as using one to shoot an attacker.

Many self-defense plans recognize this nuance. As a result, companies often include accident coverage as part of CCW insurance. This can be a great option for people with kids, in case they try to show off your gun collection to their friends. Of course, a good gun safe is the best way to prevent accidents like this, but no safety measure is foolproof.

Civil Coverage

Even if you’re proven innocent of any criminal charges, the family of your attacker may pursue you for civil damages. Wrongful death lawsuits can often result in settlements of $1.5 million if the deceased was average age and in good health. You could end up losing your house just by trying to defend it.

Fortunately, most CCW insurance plans also include some kind of coverage for civil cases.

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Funding for Bail

In many jurisdictions, if you shoot someone in self-defense, you will absolutely go to jail. Once you’re there, you may need to post bail. If you’re charged with murder, that can be expensive. In many places in the US, bailing yourself out of jail for a murder charge can cost from $250,000 to $1,000,000.

Chances are, you don’t have that kind of money just laying around in a safe. Since bail bondsmen can charge between 10% and 20% to cover your bond, that’s up to $200,000 that you’ll never get back.

Fortunately, CCW insurance companies generally cover bail for their members. In some cases, they can even bail you out of jail early. To minimize the time you may spend in jail after defending yourself with deadly force, CCW insurance is the way to go.

Legal Representation

Self-defense and accident coverage will protect you against any monetary penalties.

Legal representation coverage, on the other hand, involves retaining an attorney to represent you in court. This is a huge component of any CCW insurance plan, since chances are, you’ll need one after a self-defense incident.

Do not consider a plan that doesn’t offer legal representation. Depending on your jurisdiction, a court case could be a complete certainty. You should also ensure that any plan you consider includes representation in both criminal and civil cases. You don’t want a lawyer to keep you out of jail just so you can lose everything in a civil case.

Home Cleanup

If you kill a home invader, they’ll leave quite a mess behind. This will require a biohazard unit to come to your home, remove the invader’s body, and clean any lingering mess.

According to some estimates, this can cost between $2,500 and $5,000. To put that in perspective, that’s about 20,000 rounds of full metal jacket 9mm ammo. If you fire 100 rounds a week for training, that’s almost four years worth of ammo.

With CCW insurance, you won’t need to worry about footing that bill yourself. You also won’t have to worry about scrubbing your attacker’s blood out of the carpet, which can be a traumatizing experience in itself.

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Online Training

This is one aspect of CCW insurance that often gets overlooked. When you enroll in many programs, you’ll gain access to online training resources. These usually include videos, blog posts, and other information. These tools will help you understand how your jurisdiction handles self-defense cases, along with other aspects of self-defense scenarios.

This may seem like overkill. But it’s all part of a comprehensive plan. If you ever need to defend yourself and find yourself on trial, your lawyer can use your completed online courses as evidence that you’re not just some untrained schmuck with a gun.

Instead, your lawyer will be able to portray you as a well-informed citizen who knows their rights and has trained with their weapon.

Want to become a better shooter? Pro Armory offers online training to help you become more proficient and safe with your firearm. Sign up for our newsletter (at the bottom) to be notified about training.

Comparing CCW Insurance Policies

Each CCW insurance policy has its unique features. Here are a few aspects of CCW insurance programs that can help you compare which plan is right for you.

Coverage Options

This is probably the most important factor that goes into choosing a self-defense insurance plan. When shopping for coverage, consider what exactly you’re looking for in a plan.

Do you want a full-service company that will take care of every aspect of your self-defense case? Are you looking for a plan that will cover both criminal and civil cases? Do you need coverage that will pay for your bail if you’re arrested?

These are all separate aspects of a plan’s coverage. Make sure you pay attention to the specific types of coverage options that a plan offers before you become a member.

Cost and Premiums

Cost is one of the biggest considerations you’ll face when choosing an insurance plan. It’s also a common aspect advertised by insurance companies on TV. Most CCW insurance companies have fairly comparable premiums. They’re all between $20 and $50 per month, depending on the type of coverage you choose.

Member Benefits and Support

Aside from standard coverage options, many CCW insurance companies provide their members with extra benefits ranging from helpful bonuses to critical services.

For example, many self-defense insurance companies publish their own magazine or online blog for their members’ benefit. They may also include videos and other informative training materials.

Some companies provide members with emergency hotlines to call if they’re arrested after a self-defense situation. These hotlines run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They’re often answered by actual attorneys who can help guide you through your situation. If you only have one phone call, that’s the number to dial.

Exclusions and Limitations

Note that all self-defense plans will only insure you if your situation falls within the scope of their coverage. When shopping for plans, be aware of its limitations. “Legal” doesn’t necessarily mean “covered” in all cases.

For example, some plans will only cover a single policy holder. In this case, if you’re the main policy holder and your spouse is involved in a self-defense shooting, your plan will not cover them. Fortunately, self-defense insurance plans usually allow you to tack on a spouse or another family member for a small fee.

Furthermore, some plans will only cover you if your self-defense shooting occurs in your home state. If you’re traveling to another state (say on vacation or to visit other family members), make sure your insurance still covers you.

Self-defense laws are a hopeless mishmash of state and local regulations, but they are additional factors to consider. In Maine, for example, you need to attempt to retreat from an attacker before you can legally shoot them. This isn’t the case in the majority of the country, though.

State-Specific Considerations

Currently, no states require their residents to have CCW insurance just to carry a concealed weapon. In fact, the only jurisdiction that requires firearm insurance in the entire country is the city of San Jose, California.

However, that’s likely to change — and soon. So far, four states have considered requiring gun owners to buy insurance.

• California: This state is well-known for having some of the country’s most restrictive gun laws, and lawmakers here have proposed bills requiring resident gun owners to have insurance.
• New York: Lawmakers in the Empire State are currently debating laws that would require gun owners to obtain a $1,000,000 insurance policy.
• Massachusetts: Has considered firearm legislation related to insurance in the past.
• Illinois: Has looked at requiring residents to obtain a $1,000,000 gun insurance policy.

While these are the only states that currently have considered requiring their residents to buy gun insurance, others are likely to follow suit. Places like Colorado are passing more anti-gun laws with every election, and it’s only a matter of time before they require CCW insurance, too.

Even if you don’t live in a state that requires you to buy CCW insurance, you still should. It’s a small price to pay for your peace of mind.

Top 5 CCW Insurance Providers

Chances are, you’ll talk to a representative of a CCW insurance company during your concealed carry class (if your state requires one). Many people who carry a concealed weapon simply choose this insurance company and run with it.

However, if you’ve made it this far, you’re probably the kind of person who likes to do their own research. In that case, we’ve got you covered. Here are five of the top national CCW insurance providers to consider:

1. United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)

USCCA is one of the biggest CCW insurance companies in the country. They have nearly a million members and one of the largest networks of lawyers.

USCCA offers three different membership tiers. Higher membership tiers include add-ons like online guides, e-books, and even a subscription to the company’s magazine. But all tiers offer benefits like:

• Self-defense liability insurance
• Accident insurance
• Up to $2 million protection from civil liability cases
• Legal representation — choose from any of the 1,200 lawyers in USCCA’s network
• 24/7/365 access — USCCA should be your first call if you’re arrested in a self-defense situation
• $250,000 in bail expenses
• $20,000 in incidental expenses (like if the police take your firearm for evidence and never return it)
• $15,000 in Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO – aka “Red Flag Law”) coverage
• Coverage for all acts of self-defense (not just firearms)
• $10,000 in loss of earnings (for example, if you’re arrested and miss work)
• $5,000 in legal fees to expunge or seal your record
• Training videos
• Discounts with industry partners (up to 30% off on holsters, optics, and more from major brands like Sig Sauer)

One of the main features of USCCA is the size of its network. At more than 500 attorneys, it’s almost twice as big as the next largest competitor. USCCA also offers coverage that you won’t find anywhere else, like loss of earnings and the highest bail coverage of any CCW insurance plan.

A CCW insurance plan through USCCA will run you $29 per month.

2. US Law Shield

Plans from US Law Shield work a little differently than plans from USCCA. For one, US Law Shield offers members multiple different plans to choose from.

Defend Plan

This is US Law Shield’s plan for people who don’t carry a concealed weapon in public. Instead, it’s intended for people who keep weapons in their home for self-defense.

• Legal representation in criminal and civil cases
• Access to a network of 300 different lawyers nationwide
• Zero legal fees for events that are covered by your plan — no limits or deductibles
• 24/7/365 access to a hotline answered by attorneys
• Educational resources
• Coverage for ERPOs
• Coverage for bystanders
• Coverage for accidents
• Coverage for private investigators or expert witnesses during your trial
• Up to $100,000 in bail
• Civil liability coverage up to $1,000,000
• Identity theft coverage
• Coverage for minor children

The Defend Plan costs $35 per month.

Discover, Explore, and Navigate Plans

In contrast to the Defend plan, this three-tiered coverage program shields people who carry a weapon both inside and outside the home. Here’s how each of the plans breaks down.

One of the biggest benefits of US Law Shield is that it allows its members to customize their plans, only paying for the coverage they need. However, this flexibility comes at a price. US Law Shield’s plans are fairly expensive when compared to the other entries on this list.

3. Right To Bear

Another option for those seeking self-defense insurance is Right To Bear. A self-defense plan from Right To Bear includes benefits like:

• Civil and criminal defense
• Accidental discharge coverage
• 24/7/365 emergency hotline answered by attorneys
• Bail bond coverage up to $100,000
• Handgun safety guide
• Gun replacement – if the police take your gun after your self-defense shooting, Right To Bear will Replace it
• Expert witness coverage
• Minor child coverage
• Training media — including information like concealed carry reciprocity maps and CCW laws by state
• Multi-state coverage available
• Psychological support
• Monthly newsletter
• Industry partner discounts

Right to Bear is the only company that offers psychological support coverage, but it’s something that more plans should include.

Self-defense shootings can trigger high levels of anxiety, insomnia, and difficulty concentrating. It can even cause bouts of PTSD. It’s an aspect of self-defense shootings that doesn’t get talked about very much (except by those who have been involved in such an incident).

Another great feature of Right To Bear is its cost. With plans starting at $16 per month, they’re a great option if you’re strapped for cash but still want CCW insurance.

Note that Right To Bear does not cover residents of New York, New Jersey, or Washington state.

4. Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network (ACLDN)

Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, or ACLDN, is a little different from other insurance plans. That’s because it’s not actually an insurance plan.

Instead, ACLDN is a network of more than 21,000 members that each pay into a shared fund. If any single member of the network is sued over a self-defense scenario, ACLDN will step in and help them pay for their legal expenses. Currently, the network has a fund of about $4,000,000.

This means that unlike the other entries on this list, ACLDN won’t hire an attorney for you. Instead, you’ll be responsible for hiring your own lawyer — and firing them if necessary. ACLDN will provide you with the capital to take control of your own legal defense.

This actually has a huge benefit that may not be obvious at first. Every other plan on this list requires you to choose an attorney from its network. With ACLDN, you’re free to choose any lawyer you want, and they’ll help cover your legal fees.

NOTE: ACLDN doesn’t offer memberships in Washington State, as they are legally barred from doing so thanks to its state insurance commissioner.

ACLDN is also the most affordable option on our list. A 1-year membership to the network costs $150, which comes out to less than $13 per month. A 3-year membership is even lower, at $340 — less than $10 per month.

5. CCW Safe

If you like having lots of options, CCW Safe is a great choice for self-defense insurance. The company offers seven different plans, so you can customize your coverage to your heart’s content.

Here’s a breakdown of CCW Safe’s different plans.

If you’re a first responder, police officer, or active/retired military, CCW Safe may offer you the best plans on this list. They also offer a nice discount to anyone who lives in a Constitutional Carry state.

Learn Your Local Laws

Keep in mind that CCW insurance is exactly that: insurance. In the same way your driver’s insurance isn’t going to cover an accident if you’re at fault, CCW insurance only goes so far.

This essentially boils down to one main point. If you break local laws while defending yourself, your CCW insurance won’t cover you. For example, some states require residents to attempt to flee a dangerous situation before they can use deadly force to defend themselves.

If you live in one of these states and don’t try to retreat before you start spraying lead, your insurance company won’t cover you. If you’re unsure about your local CCW laws, talk to your insurance provider.

The Bottom Line

CCW insurance is just as important as a good holster or a sturdy belt. It’s a requirement not just for anyone who carries a concealed gun, but also for anyone who owns a firearm in general.

If you don’t have CCW insurance, you’re leaving yourself open to all sorts of legal hassles. You may survive a self-defense scenario, but if you don’t have insurance, you’ll likely face so many problems that you may wish your attacker had succeeded and saved you the trouble.

Don’t neglect your peace of mind. Sign up for CCW insurance.

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