Handgun Carry Insurance???

M

marlboroman84

New member
Ok this may or may not come across as dumb, but I have a question.

Is there such a thing as insurance for carrying a handgun and if a situation is justified, using that gun?

I asked the instructor about this in my permit class and he said "There is no insurance that covers an intentional act. Such as, shooting a person, even if it's justified, is still intentional."

At the time I figured well that makes sense, but the Tennessee Firearms Association says that anyone who carries a handgun should consider handgun liability insurance, which is available in Tennessee. It then says something about the NRA's program being the only one they are aware of. Can someone fill me in on this please?

Chuck
 
Most insurance companies offer personal "umbrella" liability policies. Standard amount is usually 1 million, but you could probably get whatever amount you wanted. I think they are a pretty good idea as you may find yourself the subject of a lawsuit for just about anything. All of us are subject to an occasional brain fart once in a while so there is even a slim possibility that the suit could be legitimate. Your instructor is probably right that it wont cover you for intentional misconduct, but I don't think that justifiable shooting would qualify as intentional in that context. That would be like a doctor’s malpractice insurance refusing to pay on the basis that the surgeon "intentionally" cut the patient with a scalpel. I think that misconduct or illegal act would have to be essential ellements for not paying. Having said all that, please pay particular attention to the fist line of my signature:)
 
A few weeks ago, when a story broke about a burglar suing the homeowner who shot him, I called my insurance agent.

I asked if my policy covered me if I were sued by someone I shot. I was told that, as long as the shooting was deemed legal and justified, my insurance company would pay legal fees.

I also asked if that coverage extended to other states, in case I was carrying while out of state and got into a shooting. Again, I was told that the insurance company would cover legal fees.

My wife and I don't have a lot in net worth, but we do have a million dollar umbrella on our home and highway policy. My guess is that, if an ambulance-chasing attorney found that out, I'd probably be the target of a lawsuit if I shot someone.
 
At the local gun Shows, there is a guy

who sells "CHL Insurance" for about $400/year, IIRC.

I looked into it initially, but it only covers up to the Grand Jury, which is a "first step". Considering how few CHL holders shoot someone, and the fact that if the Grand jury indicts you, that is where your legal bills really begin, I cannot see paying good money for "insurance" that doesn't really cover me.

One day soon, I need to find a good local attorney, spend 1/2 hour of his time and however-many $100 of my money and get some good advice.

Anybody know of a website with CHL-friendly attorneys?
 
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