As the number of new gun owners continues to rise, there are an ever increasing number of products aimed at not just these new gun owners, but the gun community as a whole.
One of these products is carry insurance. While that term may seem foreign, the concept is one that has been around for some time, and has now made its way into the gun community.
What is Concealed Carry Insurance?
Concealed carry insurance is somewhat similar to health or auto insurance. It's a product you pay a monthly premium for, and in return, you receive certain benefits under certain circumstances.
In this case, the insurance helps to cover legal services should you find yourself in a situation where you've run afoul of some firearm law or were forced to use your firearm for self-defense.
In essence, what you're doing by enrolling in a concealed carry insurance program is prepaying legal fees that you might use should you be forced to defend yourself with your firearm or are charged with violating concealed carry law.
Because should you use your firearm in this manner, you can bet there will be legal ramifications.
What is USCCA?
The United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) is an organization formed with the goal of educating, training, and assisting those who utilize the Second Amendment.
The association has many programs and resources to help with regard to various state and federal laws, firearms training, and defense of the Second Amendment.
While it's not an advocacy organization such as the National Rifle Association (NRA), there are areas of overlap between the two.
The USCCA operates by membership. For the price of a membership fee, you're granted access to numerous perks such as periodicals, training, and education.
Where the USCCA specifically differs from other associations is in its complete focus on supporting those who actively use their Second Amendment-protected right to keep and bear arms.
They are an organization focused on those who carry their firearms for protection and not just on the firearms themselves.
Features of USCCA Carry Insurance
USCCA carry insurance offers a variety of features and benefits that differ depending on a tiered price structure.
The coverage is divided into three categories: Gold, Platinum, and Elite.
Each tier of membership has its own set of benefits. Two of the three levels offer a monthly webinar with answers to legal questions from licensed attorneys.
Each tier also offers unique access to training and legal information in addition to other membership perks, such as USCCA's Concealed Carry magazine and 24/7 access to the member services team.
USCCA Carry Insurance Coverage Options
All tiers also offer access to funding for civil and criminal defenses as well as protection against the award of damages.
All levels provide protections from criminal defense fees, attorney retainers, and even bail bonds. The difference between these tiers is in the amount of money offered at each level.
- Gold Level: protections for civil defenses and damages up to $500,000 and up to $100,000 for bail bonds, attorney retainers, and criminal defense
- Platinum Level: protections for civil defense and damages up to $1,000,000 and up to $150,000 for bail bonds, attorney retailers, and criminal defense
- Elite Level: protections for civil defense and damages up to $2,000,000 and up to $250,000 for bail bonds, attorney retailers, and criminal defense
These are all upfront cost benefits requiring no out-of-pocket expense for policyholders, and they are not conditional upon the verdict outcome of any legal proceedings.
USCCA Carry Insurance Costs
The monthly costs are certainly affordable for most people.
- Gold Level: $22.00 per month
- Platinum Level: $30.00 per month
- Elite Level: $47.00 per month
Why Would You Want CCW Insurance?
The decision of whether a product like this is right for you is a personal one, and ultimately, one that only you can make.
That said, there are without question many reasons why this type of coverage is worth considering.
There are millions of defensive gun uses each year, and ensuring you're properly defended in the event you have to use your gun can be expensive.
Even in blatantly obvious legitimate defensive uses of firearms, investigations still occur. Don't think you're safe because you're in a gun-friendly state either; these investigations are matters of record that will be conducted regardless.
As these investigations go forward, you may be required to appear before police or even in court, so it's a good idea to have legal representation.
The importance of legal representation in the stressful situation of having just been forced to use your firearm can't be understated.
People consult lawyers for any number of things and subscribe to other prepaid legal services and insurances for situations far less dire than having just defended yourself.
There is no reason not to have a professional ready to assist you in the event this occurs. Navigating the legalities surrounding firearms can be tricky, even without having used one.
From strict state laws to federal regulations, gun laws are a headache to say the least. Add in the fact that they are constantly changing, and trying to go it alone can be a very costly decision — and not just financially speaking.
If nothing else, defending yourself legally in a situation like this is time-consuming.
Lost time from work is expensive, and repeated legal fees have bankrupted many a corporation with deeper pockets than you. So how much worse would it be for an individual?
That's why you might want a service like this.
Why Choose USCCA Insurance?
With the value a product like this can provide, there is no shortage of companies offering up carry insurance packages.
Even the monolith that is the NRA offered a program briefly. So why, then, would you want the USCCA offering instead of another carry insurance program?
As with other questions, this is something you must decide for yourself. However, while many of these providers offer excellent legal services, they really leave a lot to be desired in terms of the total package.
The USCCA has developed a fantastic network of excellent attorneys providing top-notch legal advice and representation.
In addition to that, you're joining an association of like-minded individuals. That is nothing to scoff at. Aside from representation, you're getting additional perks related to firearms that other providers just can't offer.
With the USCCA, it's more than just some lawyer taking your case. You're getting a pro-gun advocate and the peace of mind that this person understands gun owners because they're involved as well.
It isn't simply carry insurance with USCCA — it's an entire organization dedicated to keeping you legal and trained.
That kind of commitment is more than a prepaid legal house can offer. This is gun coverage for gun owners by gun owners.
If carry insurance is something you're looking at, you'd do well to consider the USCCA as a possibility.
There are many options available for you to consider, and you should absolutely do your due diligence in selecting the right option for you. Only you know what works best for your situation, and this is no small matter.
Protecting yourself is more than simply carrying a gun; you need legal support sometimes as well.
