CCW LIABILITY INSURANCE - What do you guys suggest?

[EnderMX]

I'm still in the process of getting my CCW permit but I would like to ask the question ahead of time. What are some of the CCW liability insurance out there for both criminal and civil suits that covers legal fees and any other liabilities? I'm curious as to see what the options are and what you guys use (if any).

I heard too many horror stories of CCW permit holders that got their lives destroyed by legal issues after they used their gun in self defense.

 

[Pas Tout La]

I've always considered my CCW as my insurance. I'll go through the legal loops if it means me and my family are alive.

 

[LACamper]

I bumped up my homeowners liability insurance to 500K. Cost me about $60 a year IIRC. No guaranty it will cover but it can't hurt to have the extra coverage and should at least cover some of the legal costs.

 

[EnderMX]

Catfish, the NRA's Defense Insurance seems interesting. Does it also cover events that occur inside your home or from your car if you do NOT have a CCW permit in the state of Louisiana?

It seems like it does.

 

[DiggerP]

Ender,

Make sure you note that the NRA's program is a reimbursement program once you are acquitted. It is not a means of funding your defense. In all likelihood you will be spotting a minimum of $30k and upwards for a defense if the DA chooses to pursue a case. And that means no plea bargains either. You had best be financially prepared to go "all the way" to either acquittal or a full dropping of charges to get some reimbursement.

The Citizen's policy is a bit more proactive in that it spots the retainer for the attorney immediately and continues to provide for your ongoing defense. However, they too have a stipulation -- you must NOT be charged with any other violation (e.g. carrying a concealed weapon without a permit). Your defense may have been justified under the law -- but if your permit was expired at the time and the DA tacks on a charge or two -- your policy does not have to pony up.

Read all the fine print.

Not to say either is bad. I think a GREAT informational program we could start here on B.S. is a listing of all the attorneys according to geographic area that are Second Amendment experts as well as practicing defense specialists for armed defense or justifiable homicide. Sadly most criminal defense attorneys are used to their clients being "guilty". It's a different legal mind-set and strategy for the justified defender. That attorney should have experience or a close relationship with a civil defense attorney with a similar background.

I can honestly say that if there were a known, good attorney here in Metairie I'd donate to an annual retainer for a group policy

 

[Suburbazine]

Under LA law you can't be tried in civil court for a self-defense shooting if you are ruled as justified. If it is ruled a bad shoot, you're already screwed.

 

[DiggerP]

Agreed Suburb, but that doesn't account for all the possibilities. A criminal trial can have more endings than "guilty" or "justified". There's possibilities of negligent homicide or simply failure to prove beyond a reasonable doubt among others.

And, the law as I understand it (I am NOT an attorney) prevents the civil suit from going to trial. It does not, however, prevent it from being filed, going through pre-trial preparations (answers, discoveries, etc.). While the Civil Court may have to dismiss it following a Criminal Court's finding of Justified -- I'm pretty sure that I personally want a civil defense attorney taking care of all the preliminaries just in case that criminal case doesn't turn out to be a home run.

 

[Sugarbug]

Under LA law you can't be tried in civil court for a self-defense shooting if you are ruled as justified. If it is ruled a bad shoot, you're already screwed.

They can still file the suit while you're in criminal court, though. Until they say you were justified, you'll be footing the bill for that defense.

 

[glimmerman]

I bumped up my homeowners liability insurance to 500K. Cost me about $60 a year IIRC. No guaranty it will cover but it can't hurt to have the extra coverage and should at least cover some of the legal costs.

Will not defend for "Intentional Acts"...........

 

[Emperor]

USCCA has an insurance policy specifically for this as well.