Gun Digest
 

Best Concealed Carry Insurance Options (2024)

Gun Digest Editors

Eight major concealed carry insurance programs are now available to millions of Americans who carry concealed.

What are some of the concealed carry insurance organizations offering plans for responsible armed citizens?

According to a recent estimate by the Crime Prevention Research Center (CPRC), over 21.5 million Americans are now licensed to carry a firearm in the United States.

With that many and more legally licensed citizens — including those who keep guns strictly in the home for domestic protection, along with people who open carry or live in one of the dozen states that do not require licenses — the odds are increasing that someone will have to use their firearm to defend against a serious crime.

Arm Yourself With More Concealed Carry Knowledge

Realizing this possibility, at least eight organizations have recognized the need for some type of coverage plan for the armed citizen who might someday act in self-defense. Unlike television, stopping a villain with lethal force isn’t the end of the drama — it’s often just the beginning.

Stepping up to the plate with protection programs are the United States Concealed Carry Association, Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network, U.S. Law Shield, CCW Safe, Second Call Defense, Lockton Affinity Outdoor, Right To Bear and Firearms Legal Protection. Each has a slightly different approach to the challenge because in this game, there are problems and there are solutions.

The hard truth is that most armed citizens simply have no idea of the legal minefield they step into the second they press the trigger. As more than one of the people we interviewed explained, from that moment, your life is changed forever.

Learn More: 5 Things You Must Know About CCW Insurance

Even if no criminal charge is filed, because we live in a litigious society, there are attorneys just chomping at the bit to make life miserable for armed citizens in civil court. That’s the reality. Defending a life with a firearm can break people — it can destroy life savings, families and jobs.

What You Need To Look For In CCW Insurance

Whether home, auto or concealed carry, insurance policies cover only certain things. In turn, you need to take the time to consider exactly what each option offers and if it will fit the minimum you need to protect you after a righteous shooting.

While many concealed carry insurance policies cover several expenses you’ll possibly encounter (we’ll get to those shortly), there are coverage areas that are essential in a good plan.

Attorney Fees: This is the meat and potatoes of any CCW insurance plan and should be where you put most of your consideration. Criminal and civil defense doesn’t come cheap and if your case goes to trial you might find a bill that runs up to six figures. It is a good idea to review if a policy covers retainer, criminal defense and civil defense and damages.

Bail Bond: Whiling away in a jail cell is a miserable experience, and is detrimental. You need to earn a living, consult with your attorney and put your affairs in order. All of these are difficult to accomplish behind bars, which is why bail-bond coverage is typically part of a sound concealed carry insurance policy.

Coverage Across State Lines: Insurance laws differ from state to state, which can cause problems if you travel with your defensive firearm. If you tool around the country you must read the fine print of where each policy covers you.

Expert Resources: One of the best ways to protect yourself from the legal ramifications of a lethal-force event is to understand the law and your rights. Access to solid and well-researched resources on these topics and concealed carry training prove invaluable and make you a more proficient armed citizen.

Other Areas Of Concealed Carry Coverage

In many cases, CCW policies go well beyond legal expenses and cover some other aspects you might not have considered, but you’ll possibly be on the hook for:

You’ll find there are other areas covered by some concealed carry insurance plans worth contemplating. Many of them fall within the policies themselves, however, some cost extra. Certainly, they’ll make a plan more expensive, but are heartening, given how quickly expenses can add up if you’re involved in a self-defense situation.

Policy Caps

Insurance, no matter what it covers, has caps. In short, there is a set amount of money it will cover, then you’re on the hook for the rest. This goes for any of the add-ons you might select for your plan, as well.

Your budget dictates how much you can afford in a concealed carry insurance plan, but you want to make certain you don’t undercut yourself when it comes to coverage. On the surface, something along the lines of $250,000 coverage for attorney’s fees might sound solid, but could potentially shelter you from only a fraction of the total expense.

Concealed Carry Insurance Options

The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA)

Pros
One of the most established and largest – 660,000 paying members – concealed carry-focused associations in the country, United States Concealed Carry Association brings a lot of gravitas to the game. The company's focus is what it calls its “Three Pillars”—mental, physical and legal preparedness. In turn, the company offers firearms and concealed carry training and resources with membership, as well as an insurance plan that many consider among the best available.

Cons
A deal-breaker for some, USCCA is geographically limited. While membership is available in most states, New York, New Jersey and Washington state residents are out of luck. Also, while not exactly a con, the Platinum and Elite plans cost more money than the entry-level Gold plan despite not offering any extra-legal services. The Gold plan already grants full access to USCCA's self-defense liability insurance and all the benefits that it includes. The two more expensive plans merely grant access to USCCA's CCW knowledge resources. If those options interest you, there's nothing wrong with them, but be aware that if all you want is CCW insurance the Gold plan is all you need.

Membership
Gold Plan: $29 monthly/$299 annual; Platinum $39 monthly/$399 annual; Elite $49 monthly/$499 annual

Legal Resources

Other Resources

Pros
There are some weighty names from legal, self-defense and firearms areas at your disposal with the organization. In turn, you have some true firepower if you go to trial. Right off the bat, with Armed Citizens’ Legal Defense Network you get up to $25,000 for bail and $25,000 for an attorney, of your choice, for both criminal and civil cases. As legal proceedings go on, the network can provide more monetary support for criminal, civil, appeals and retrials. Furthermore, it’s an inexpensive organization to become a part of, $135 your first year and $95 per year after.

Cons
ACLDN is not an insurance plan – it’s a pre-paid legal service – so its coverage isn’t as extensive as many others. It doesn’t cover civil damages or compensation while you’re in court or firearm loss protection. Additionally, further monetary support, past the initial $25,000, goes through a review board before it’s awarded. And there’s no tiering to the program – it’s one-size-fits-all.

Membership

$135 Initial 1-year Membership; $95 1-year Renewal

Legal Resources

Other Resources

U.S. Law Shield

Pros
What you get for the price of the plan is among the biggest selling points of U.S. Law Shield (originally known as Texas Law Shield). Essentially, there is no cap on the coverage of legal fees, both for criminal and civil proceedings. This is incredible peace of mind, given how quickly those expenses add up. For $10.95 monthly payments and $19.95 set-up fee, that’s a lot of coverage. No wonder the Texas-based program has some 700,000-plus members and keeps growing. Not the case at one point in its history, the plan is presently available in all states–except Washington, New Jersey and New York–as well as Washington DC and Puerto Rico.

Cons
First and foremost, you have to use an attorney from the network that they choose. This is potentially a turn-off for many, with good reason. In all likelihood, this will be the most important lawyer you’ll ever hire and you’ll have little say on who it is. The other issue, many of the coverage areas that come standard in other policies are add-ons, geographically limited, or unavailable. A good example, nationwide coverage costs another $2.95 a month, which may or may not make a difference to you.

Membership
Individual $10.95 monthly/$131.40 annual; Two Adults $21.90 monthly/$240 annual

Legal Resources

Other Resources

CCW Safe

Pros
No cap for criminal and civil legal defense, both covered up front, is the most eye-catching aspect of the CCW Safe plan. Up to $100,000 in bail bond protection doesn’t hurt either. These are generally the meat and potatoes of any concealed carry insurance program and this one has them in spades. In addition to that, the plan has up to $1 million of civil damage protection through its basic permit-holder plan. CCW Safe also offers a multitude of options, including policies for constitutional carry states, home defense and active and retired law enforcement. Note, the coverage differs from plan to plan, so read the fine print.

Cons
While the plans overall are among the most comprehensive, there are a few caveats. You can choose your attorney, however, they must be vetted by CCW Safe first – this may or may not be a con, depending on how you look at it. The constitutional carry plan only works in your state, so you're naked once you cross the state line. And there are certain conditions CCW Safe spell out up front that will negate your policy, such as the use of force against a family member or someone in your residence with your permission. CCW Safe is also not available in New York, New Jersey or the state of Washington (except some NY LEOs).

Protector Plan

$179 annual

Eligibility
Retired/Active Military and Law Enforcement with a concealed carry permit

Legal Resources

Add Ons

Defender Plan

$209 annual

Eligibility
Valid Carry Permit

Legal Resources

Add Ons

Constitutional Carry

$299 annual

Eligibility
Constitutional Carry States

Legal Resources

Add Ons

Home Defense

$299 annual

Eligibility
In-Home Coverage For You And Family

Legal Resources

Add Ons

HR218

$399 annual

Eligibility
Active, retired, and former law enforcement officers that meet the requirements for the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act (LEOSA)

Legal Resources

Second Call Defense

Pros
Of all the options, Second Call Defense perhaps offers the widest spectrum of tiering. You can get into their entry-level plan for $9.95 a month or choose their “Cadillac” plan for $34.95 per month. The top-tier plan is fairly comprehensive, offering $100,000 of coverage for criminal defense attorney fees and $1,000,000 for civil. Furthermore, in the top-end plan, you’re eligible for up to $250,000 in civil damage protection. You also get to choose your attorney.

Cons
The entry-level plan is pretty close to “better than nothing.” It only covers $10,000 of legal fees pertaining to a civil case against you and is very limited in its criminal defense – up to $100,000 toward your attorney fees, $2,000 for a retainer and $1,000 for bail bond. Is that worth $10 per month? You’ll have to decide that for yourself.

Basic

$9.95 monthly; $119 annual

Insurance Protection
Criminal Defense Protection – Up to $100,000
Civil Defense Protection (accidental shooting) – Up to $10,000

Financial Support

Rapid Response Team

Training & Education

Add Ons
Spouse $48 annual

Defender

$14.95 monthly; $179 annual

Insurance Protection

Financial Support

Rapid Response Team

Training & Education

Add Ons
Spouse $60

Ultimate

$34.95 monthly; $399 annual

Insurance Protection

Financial Support

Rapid Response Team

Training & Education

Add Ons
Spouse $80 annual


Pros
A bit overshadowed by some of the larger players, Firearms Legal Protection nonetheless offers impressive coverage. Again, a tiered program, FLP allows armed citizens to choose a plan that best fits their budget and needs. And as far as entry-level options go, they offer an impressive one: uncapped attorney fees for civil and criminal defense for $16.95 a month. As you go up the ladder, the more expensive plans offer some of the total coverage many look for, such as firearm loss protection, compensation while in court and the choice of your attorney. Also, an interesting and timely twist, all FLP plans cover against Extreme Risk Protection Order, or “Red Flag” laws, accusations.

Cons
As far as entry-level concealed carry insurance is concerned, it’s only applicable to a self-defense event that happens in your state. You can get nationwide coverage, however, you’ll have to spend more. Also, it’s presently only available in 30 states, so Firearms Legal Protection is somewhat limited geographically.

Basic Individual

$16.95 monthly; $199 annual

Eligibility
Coverage for one person in their home state.

Legal Resources

Premium Individual

$27.95 monthly; $329 annual

Eligibility
Multi-State Coverage

Legal Resources

Premium Family

$44.95 monthly; $539 annual

Eligibility
Multi-state comprehensive coverage for member, spouse and minor children

Legal Resources

Right To Bear

Pros
A new player to the game—as in just last year (2021)—Right to Bear has leaped into the CCW insurance game with booth feet. No surprise, the company is under JJE umbrella, the parent of Palmetto State Armory. Offering four levels of coverage, each multi-state (excluding New York, California and Washington), the company offers fairly comprehensive coverage with options for any budget and a fair selection of useful add-ons. Additionally, policy extras, such as psychological support, seem thoughtful.

Cons
Close attention has to be paid to how each policy pays out, given there are per incident and aggregate total limits. Accidental Discharge coverage is an additional expense.

Bronze

$10.95 moth/$115 annually

Insurance Protection
Civil/Criminal defense liability coverage up to $50,000
$25,000 per incident/$50,000 aggregate total

Add-Ons

Silver

$20.95 monthly/$235 annually

Insurance Protection
Civil/Criminal defense liability coverage up to $500,000
$250,000 per incident, $500,000 aggregate total

Add-Ons

Gold

$33.95 monthly/ $385 annually

Insurance Protection
Civil/Criminal defense liability coverage up to $1,000,000
$500,000 per incident, $1,000,000 aggregate total

Add-Ons

Platinum

$50.95 monthly/ $595 annually

Insurance Protection
Civil/Criminal defense liability coverage up to $2,000,000
$1,000,000 per incident, $2,000,000 aggregate total

Add-Ons

Included On All Policies

Lockton Affinity Outdoor Personal Firearm Liability Insurance

Pros
Offered by a subgroup of the Armmlife company, this option is officially called Lockton Affinity Outdoor’s Personal Firearm Liability Insurance, and this is a true individual coverage plan. This makes it different than the majority of the companies on this list that instead offer memberships that gives access to insurance policies or prepaid legal defense. Advertised as coverage for responsible, smart and legal gun owners, Lockton's different plans are easy to understand with four clear tiers offered depending on the coverage needed. Regardless of the plan chosen, they all will cover lawful personal defense instances, accidental discharges, hunting/shooting accidents and lost or stolen firearms.

Cons
As a true individual insurance policy, nothing else is offered alongside the coverage. While many of the other options on this list include coverage as well as various hotlines and legal/training resources, all Lockton offers is insurance.

Plan Limits With Annual Pricing

Conclusion

That, essentially, is what each of these self-defense insurance plans offers: an advocate rather than just a public defender who might, or might not, have a full grasp of self-defense, much less any sympathy for an armed citizen. It might come as no shock at all to many people, but not all attorneys sympathize with gun owners who fire in self-defense.

People can take their chances with a public defender, or they can rely on the experts associated with these concealed carry insurance membership programs. Clearly, a lot of thought went into each of these efforts, and the ultimate beneficiary is the armed citizen.

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