Is Concealed Carry Insurance Worth It?

A lot of people might wonder if getting concealed carry insurance, such as CCW Safe, USCCA or NRA insurance products, is worth it. It’s certainly a good idea to consider it since a person that carries may well face staggering liabilities should they ever have to defend themselves.

In fact, the idea is not too far removed from considering whether to conceal carry a gun in the first place, in that it may be better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

Why You Would Need CCW Insurance

Why would a person need CCW insurance? In case they ever used their gun in self-defense.

Some people believe what they see on television and what they’re told by various groups about defensive shootings.

They believe that they will valiantly, and with great gallantry, shooteth the bad man from on high, and afterwards will verily be feted by the press and television media. Then there will be parades, the shooter will get the key to the city and their very own Roman triumph.

That is not what will happen. At all. In fact, the best a person can hope for is charges not being brought.

Besides possible arrest, prosecution and trial by media, there’s also the cost of legal defense. George Zimmerman’s defense reportedly cost upward of $2.5 million. Granted, that was a nationally televised show trial; for the average citizen, it’s still astronomical.

Bryce Fortier, according to MyNorthwest.com shot and killed one of his attackers when blindsided by several men at once during a Halloween party in 2007. He was charged with murder and acquitted, and was then sued. Everything told, his defense for the criminal and civil trials totaled almost $260,000.

Outside of the mere cost of an attorney, there are also other potential costs such as bail, civil penalties, expert witnesses, and lost wages.

A person could easily be bankrupted by the cost of a legal defense. Where CCW insurance comes into play is that it can help to defray some of these costs.

Odds of Defensive Gun Use Vs Cost of Trial Vs Cost of Premiums

Naturally, the reason a person would consider self-defense insurance is to help absorb the costs associated with defensive gun use.

However, part of considering any type of insurance that isn’t mandatory (such as car insurance or home insurance, if you get a mortgage) is questioning whether it’s worth it, or put a little better, how likely is it that you’ll need it?

The odds a person will ever be involved in a shooting incident or resort to defensive gun use is low. Estimates vary wildly, but it’s presumed that there are anywhere from a few hundred thousand to a few million DGUs annually. Granted, where one resides, works and frequents may play a role; frequenting a high-crime area is likely to raise the odds.

The FBI does track justifiable homicides, where a private citizen shoots or otherwise kills another person that’s in the act of committing a felony. Fewer than 400 such incidents are recorded by the FBI per year. In fact, only in 2012 and 2015 did the number eclipse 300.

In short, most people who carry a gun aren’t likely to ever use it against a person. Thus, the odds that the insurance will ever be needed is likely low. Additionally, some people can afford to think about another $25 or $50 per month in costs. Others can’t.

Self-Defense Insurance Worth It If One Needs It and Selected the Right Plan

Like any other form of insurance, self-defense insurance is worth it if one must use to and they’ve selected the right plan.

The best insurance product offers the most amount of coverage for the least amount of money, which a person should do the appropriate legwork to find. If a person wants to get self-defense insurance, they should come up with an amount they can spend per month in premiums.

Since civil suits often follow a criminal trial for a defensive shooting, finding a CCW insurance product that includes civil protection as well as criminal is a wise idea. It’s also wise to consider whether an insurance offers coverage for bail, expert witnesses, and replacement of lost wages, as these costs can impose significant hardships.

That said, financial considerations aside, there is something to be said for peace of mind.

Sam Hoober is Contributing Editor for AlienGearHolsters.com, where he writes about gun safety, gun holsters, concealed carry and more.

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Sam Hoober

Sam Hoober is a hunter, occasional fisherman, and longtime recreational shooter and Second Amendment advocate. He earned his Bachelor's from Eastern Washington University, and is currently a contributing editor for Alien Gear Holsters, Bigfoot Gun Belts, and contributor for other websites as well.