OOOHH, I was just waiting for someone to raise this issue....
Dude, the Castle Doctrine protects you from NOTHING. If you shoot someone, there is definitely going to be an investigation to determine if the DA thinks you should be prosecuted. Good news would be that s/he thinks, right off the bat, that there is no question you were in the right. Bad news is the person you shot (or their living relatives) start making a stink, playing the race card, etc. Then you might have to defend yourself. Or, the police want to question you about the shooting -- Do NOT talk to the police other than to say the 5 limited things layed out by ACLDN and Mas Ayoob. Now you need a lawyer - how are you going to pay him/her?
I can't imagine owning a house without insuring it. I can't imagine owning a car without insurance. Why would anyone even think about carrying a weapon without having liability insurance?
since you are new to this whole gig, you really should consider joining ACLDN if only to get their instructional material. They do not offer liability insurance but do provide excellent backup.
Here is the article I wrote for my club's website:
Several companies provide insurance for various purposes. You may insure your weapons in case of theft as well as provide coverage for legal fees in the case of a concealed carry "event". Some options are provided below. This is not, nor is it intended to be, an exhaustive list but may get you started with a few options.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NRA
$7,500 NRA Members Benefits at NO COST As an NRA Member in good standing, you're now entitled to $7,500.00 in NO COST benefits ($12,500.00 for Life Members). You cannot be turned down.
But activation is required for this complimentary privilege.
•$5,000.00 NO COST Accident Benefit:
Your loved ones will receive a check for $5,000.00 ($10,000.00 for Life Members) if you fall victim to a fatal covered accident. No strings attached. No cost involved.
•$2,500.00 NO COST ArmsCare Benefit:
Lock in an exclusive NRA safety net for your firearms. Protects against theft … loss … or damage. Of course, no registration of your guns or serial numbers are required.
------------------------------------------------------
For NRA Members ONLY
Property & Liability Insurance
• ArmsCare Plus Firearms Insurance – Only you know how valuable your firearms are and $2,500 of coverage may not be enough. ArmsCare Plus covers you when your homeowners policy falls short.
• Gun Collectors Insurance – This economical plan provides coverage for your personal gun collection.
• Excess Personal Liability – Because accidents do happen no matter how careful you are
• Firearms Instructor Liability – Liability & Professional Liability available for coverage when you are teaching others.
• Self-Defense Coverage – Provides liability coverage including civil and criminal defense when you’re involved in an act of self-defense.
• Retired Law Enforcement Officer Self-Defense Insurance – Discounted self-defense coverage designed specifically for retired and off-duty law enforcement officers. NEW!
• Gun Show Liability Insurance – Gun show promoters are now able to protect their assets.
___________________________________
NRA Self defense insurance
http://www.locktonrisk.com/nrains/defense.htm
This is a less than fully comprehensive excess liability insurance plan with coverage limits up to $250,000 Combined single limit with a $50,000 sub-limit for
criminal defense reimbursement. The plan covers both criminal and civil defense. But ,
read the plan information carefully. It may only provide reimbursement in some cases and you will have to front some money yourself. Reimbursement for criminal defense is contingent upon dismissal or acquittal of the criminal charges.
Read the certificate of insurance VERY carefully.
http://www.locktonrisk.com/nrains/forms/Self-Defense_Certificate_of_Insurance.pdf
This is a true insurance policy but has some significant limits regarding coverage. Remember that it is excess liability coverage which means that other policies/coverage you have may have to pay first and in criminal cases, you must pay for your own defense and be
reimbursed only if you win.
Self Defense Insurance
here is a brief listing of organizations that may provide help and/or support in the event of a problem which involves $ liability.
Keep in mind that if you are involved in a self defense event, you will come under scrutiny of the gendarmes and may/should require the assistance of an attorney versed in Self Defense law. The involvement may be civil, criminal or both.
These several programs provide different degrees and areas of coverage. You are well advised to consider all of them rather than just one.
Being involved in a self defense situation is probably less likely than getting hit by a bus while crossing the street, but it can be just as devastating! It means you WILL require legal representation and you may be subject to considerable costs in defending yourself from the legal system (which has, effectively, unlimited resources compared to you).
Having done lots of expert witness work in my career, I can tell you that there is no such thing as a fair trial – from the defendant’s perspective – only better attorneys and witnesses.
___________________________________
ACLDN – The Armed Citizens Self Defense Network.
ACLDN provides comprehensive education regarding self defense. They send you videos with your initial membership, have a network of attorneys and expert witnesses who will evaluate your case and provide expert advice and testimony if required. The will make an initial fee deposit of up to $5000 to a network attorney to provide representation during questioning. DO NOT PROVIDE OTHER THAN ESSENTIAL DETAILS TO ANYONE PRIOR TO BEING REPRESENTED.
Network members are also eligible for additional grants of financial assistance.
ACLDN has a monthly journal detailing many aspects of self defense as well as other benefits.
Please review the information on their website. I think this is a VERY inexpensive way of obtaining information and help of exactly the type you may need.
http://armedcitizensnetwork.org/join
Cost is $85 per year and $650 for 10 years.
____________________________________
CHLPP – Concealed Handgun Licensee Protection Plan -
http://www.chlpp.com/index.html
“A CHLPP member is covered for any exposure of the member's weapon in any use of force in a self-defense incident in any state that recognizes a CHLPP member's Concealed Handgun license”
“CHLPP will retain an experienced qualified local criminal defense attorney where you were arrested. The attorney CHLPP retains will pursue the member's case until there is a dismissal, no-bill by a Grand Jury (in those states which have a Grand Jury system), and the return of all your seized firearm(s) and related property. With CHLPP there are NO deductibles, co-pays, or limits. CHLPP members pay nothing out of their own pockets.”
CHLPP does not cover civil liability expenses. This is an important distinction. This is not exactly an insurance plan and may not have to provide state insurance commissions with the information required by true insurance programs. I do not know how reliable the plan may be nor is there an easily confirmed track record of defenses.
Cost is $129 per year with a discount for multiple year memberships. Read their website carefully and do a Google search for additional information