USCCA Self-Defense Insurance Review: Solid Rates and Service for Gun Liability Protection
A membership with the USCCA provides clear legal benefits for gun owners backed by a reputable insurance company.
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Editor's Rating
An insurance policy through the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) provides gun owners with liability insurance and criminal defense protection. USCCA insurance covers self-defense incidents involving handguns or other weapons, whether you are on your own property or practicing open or concealed carry on public property.
The USCCA offers high coverage limits and a good value. However, limited reports from people who have made claims keep us from giving the service an outright recommendation.
Pros and cons
Pros
Higher coverage limits than competition
Backed by a good insurance company
Pays claims up front, not after the case
Cons
No coverage for shooting accidents or unintentional discharge
Few customer service reviews make it hard to predict what your claims process could be like
Not available in NJ, NY or WA
USCCA insurance: Our thoughts
Bottom line
If you are considering purchasing gun liability insurance, the USCCA appears to be one of the best options. It is backed by a reputable insurance company, its offerings are clear and its customer service is highly rated. But the fact that we have very little claims satisfaction information prevents us from definitively recommending the service.
The USCCA is a solid choice for firearm, weapon or self-defense insurance. The organization provides a substantial level of liability and criminal defense coverage at a reasonable price.
One of the best parts of USCCA coverage is that any fees or bills from a civil or criminal trial are paid immediately, not at the end of the case. This is better than the gun insurance companies that require you to pay your costs and will reimburse you later.
However, a USCCA policy only covers self-defense situations. Other companies such as Lockton, which has a long-standing relationship with the National Rifle Association (NRA), provide coverage of other kinds of incidents, such as accidental discharge and accidents when hunting or shooting.
USCCA benefits are backed by Universal Fire and Casualty Insurance Co., a good insurance company. Universal got an A- rating from AM Best, meaning the company has an "excellent" ability to pay its claims. The USCCA also partners with Delta Defense, which provides customer service for your policy and 24/7 support immediately after an incident.
The most common complaint we found from USCCA customers is a constant stream of emails, both during the sales process and through the course of membership. But customers also report a responsive, helpful customer service team that can answer any questions that potential or current customers have about USCCA products.
That being said, it's difficult for us to say whether the USCCA's coverage is a good value because there are very few reports from customers who have filed claims with the company. The only ones we found were testimonials highlighted by the company itself. As such, we can't evaluate how reliably the company pays claims — and that's ultimately what you are paying for.
Costs of USCCA insurance
USCCA self-defense insurance costs $29 per month.
If you pay annually, it costs $299, which is a savings of $49.
The same insurance package is included with all levels of USCCA membership. So if you're joining the USCCA just for the insurance benefits, choose the cheapest plan, called the Gold tier, which costs $29 per month.
If you want more benefits beyond insurance, you can choose the Platinum tier for $39 per month or the Elite tier for $49 per month.
USCCA self-defense liability insurance
Limits | |
|---|---|
| Legal defense expenses | No limit |
| Damages | $2 million |
| Upfront bail bond funding | $100,000 |
| Additional legal coverage | $100,000 |
| Compensation while in court | Lost earnings up to $750/day |
| Incidental expenses | $20,000 |
USCCA self-defense coverage does not charge different rates based on factors like your age or where you live. Also, you can add your spouse and any dependent minors who live with you to your policy, for additional fees.
Coverages from the USCCA
There are two main categories of protection provided by a USCCA membership: liability protection from a civil suit and criminal defense protection if you are charged with a crime. For both types of protection, you'll also be provided with legal guidance about the right way to resolve the situation.
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Civil defense and liability coverage from the USCCA pays for the costs of a lawyer to defend you in court, as well as financial damages you are required to pay after a lawsuit.
You're protected in any incident that's a result of you acting in self-defense, whether it involves a gun, another weapon or no weapons at all. You are also protected in the case of liability due to a lost or stolen weapon. For civil defense cases, you will be assigned a lawyer employed by the USCCA.
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Criminal defense protection covers the cost of a criminal defense, including lawyer's fees, investigation costs and court fees. Notably, any fees or retainers are paid immediately by the USCCA. You don't need to spend your own money and be reimbursed later.
Additionally, the USCCA's criminal defense protection pays bail or bond fees, compensation for lost wages while in court and other costs as a result of your trial. For criminal defense cases, you may choose to use your own lawyer or one recommended by the USCCA.
Exclusions to USCCA coverages
There are several exclusions to when the USCCA's liability and criminal defense protection will apply. If you are considering USCCA self-defense coverage, it's crucial that you read the policy yourself and understand exactly when you are covered, but here are a few key scenarios.
- You are not covered when committing a crime. Of course, every self-defense incident may or may not end up being considered a crime, and it's not decided until a judge or jury has made a ruling. If you are convicted of a crime, USCCA payments cease. However, the policy pays any necessary bills immediately, and if you're convicted, any money you or your lawyer has received from the USCCA does not need to be returned.
- USCCA coverage is only for self-defense. Besides not covering criminal acts, it also excludes things like accidents. So if you accidentally fire on someone while hunting, you won't be protected.
- You're not covered if the incident was a result of war, a result of civil uprising or a part of your job's official duties. For example, private security guards cannot make a claim if they shoot someone while on the job, even if it was in self-defense.
Again, these are only a few of the exceptions that apply to USCCA firearm liability insurance. We strongly recommend you read the policy in detail yourself so you can understand when you are and are not protected.
Other benefits for USCCA members
USCCA members also receive a variety of other fringe benefits for signing up with the company. These include educational and training materials for concealed carry weapons (CCWs), a subscription to the USCCA's Concealed Carry Magazine, free entry to the USCCA's annual conference and a variety of other minor perks such as shopping discounts.
While these are largely ancillary to the main coverages provided by a USCCA membership, there's no downside to receiving them, and they may be a valuable resource to gun owners looking to expand their skill set.
Frequently asked questions
What's the best self-defense insurance?
The USCCA offers one of the best self-defense insurance plans for gun owners. It has high coverage limits. Plus, the company will pay your ongoing legal costs when they're due. With other companies, you could have to pay the bills yourself and get reimbursed when the case ends.
How much does USCCA gun owner insurance cost?
USCCA gun owner insurance costs $29 per month. You'll get a discount for paying annually. The yearly rate is $299, a savings of $49.
Is USCCA insurance worth it?
The USCCA is often worth it to get good coverage for the legal costs after using your gun for self-defense. Policies have high coverage limits for an affordable rate of $29 per month. However, other companies with more expensive plans cover more types of situations such as accidental discharge or hunting accidents.
Sources
Rates and coverage information are based on data from policy providers. Additional sources include AM Best and the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author's opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.