Liability Insurance & Lawyers

[ResGnOwner]

Hey all... FNG here... still have a few more questions! Don't worry, it'll all be over soon... I hope...

So, next question. Is it true that when you get your CCW, you have to carry Liability Insurance? I had never heard of this until last night. Apparently, it’s 500K min?

Second question. If things go to Sh*t and I shoot someone (justified of course) there may or may not be a criminal trial but there will almost certainly be a civil trial. That said, anyone know of a good lawyer? I'm in SBC so it would help if they were close but when you NEED one... I guess you gotta do what you gotta do

[Tom98915]

That's news to me....but anyhow I got liability insurance from the NRA for CCW'ing. There is another thread discussing that in detail with links to insurance:

http://www.calccw.com/Forums/general...insurance.html

[spc]

Originally Posted by ResGnOwner

Hey all... FNG here... still have a few more questions! Don't worry, it'll all be over soon... I hope...

So, next question. Is it true that when you get your CCW, you have to carry Liability Insurance? I had never heard of this until last night. Apparently, it’s 500K min?

Second question. If things go to Sh*t and I shoot someone (justified of course) there may or may not be a criminal trial but there will almost certainly be a civil trial. That said, anyone know of a good lawyer? I'm in SBC so it would help if they were close but when you NEED one... I guess you gotta do what you gotta do

Try Bruce Colodny. He advertises in the CRPA publication The Firing Line.

spc

[RomanDad]

I would second Bruce Colodny.... I AM an attorney, and if I were involved in a use of force incident, he is who I would call...


Most home owners insurance policies will cover a use of force incident. Check with your insurance agent. I know of no such OBLIGATION however.

I have whats known as an "Umbrella Policy". It covers ANYTHING that caps my Homeowners policy.

[THE Gimper]

I've heard that some departments require it, but there's nothing in the Penal Code which does, and it's not a statewide requirement.

[gr8fatman]

California Gun Attorney - Home Here is the link for Bruce Colodny.

[Quietpi]

Some departments require that you carry liability insurance -- $1M is the figure I've heard - and list them as "additional insured."

Your homeowner's policy may do the trick, but check. NRA has a policy, and such coverage is available from other companies. Check with your insurance agent. It's a good idea no matter what.

As said, there is no such state requirement.

[glock36]

Originally Posted by ResGnOwner

Hey all... FNG here... still have a few more questions! Don't worry, it'll all be over soon... I hope...

So, next question. Is it true that when you get your CCW, you have to carry Liability Insurance? I had never heard of this until last night. Apparently, it’s 500K min?

Second question. If things go to Sh*t and I shoot someone (justified of course) there may or may not be a criminal trial but there will almost certainly be a civil trial. That said, anyone know of a good lawyer? I'm in SBC so it would help if they were close but when you NEED one... I guess you gotta do what you gotta do

All my family members have Bruce Colodny's number on speed dial and I have instructed them to call him first in case of anything involving me and my firearm. In regards to insurance…I have a umbrella policy.

[LuckyDog]

Originally Posted by glock36

In regards to insurance…I have a umbrella policy.

With with insurance company? I'd be very curious to hear of one that specifically covers intentional acts of self-defense.

[glock36]

Originally Posted by LuckyDog

With with insurance company? I'd be very curious to hear of one that specifically covers intentional acts of self-defense.

With State Farm insurance...and yes it does cover self defense. It cost me $450 to find that out with my lawyers help!

[gr8fatman]

Originally Posted by glock36

With State Farm insurance...and yes it does cover self defense. It cost me $450 to find that out with my lawyers help!

+1 My State Farm agent told me that an umbrella policy will cover it. Not that it's stated in the policy, but because it's not excluded in the policy.

[LuckyDog]

I have State Farm. Their umbrella liability specifically excludes coverage for intentional acts. There is no exclusion to the exclusion stating self-defense is covered. If it is not in writing then they are not obligated to provide coverage.

After talking with my agent I then talked with the regional office. They were quick to verbally reassure me that they'd probably cover it. That stopped dead when I asked them to put that in writing and write me a letter to that effect. When I asked why they wouldn't put it in writing, the response was "we can't do that."

Originally Posted by gr8fatman

+1 My State Farm agent told me that an umbrella policy will cover it. Not that it's stated in the policy, but because it's not excluded in the policy.

Sorry, it is excluded in the policy. The policy states it does not cover intentional acts. Self-defense is an intentional act and therefore not covered.

Originally Posted by glock36

With State Farm insurance...and yes it does cover self defense. It cost me $450 to find that out with my lawyers help!

I would like to hear the details of your incident. It sounds like State Farm initially denied coverage, then figured it would be easier to pay than litigate against you. If the potential liability was in six or seven figures then it might have turned out differently.

[gr8fatman]

Originally Posted by LuckyDog

I have State Farm. Their umbrella liability specifically excludes coverage for intentional acts. There is no exclusion to the exclusion stating self-defense is covered. If it is not in writing then they are not obligated to provide coverage.

After talking with my agent I then talked with the regional office. They were quick to verbally reassure me that they'd probably cover it. That stopped dead when I asked them to put that in writing and write me a letter to that effect. When I asked why they wouldn't put it in writing, the response was "we can't do that."


Sorry, it is excluded in the policy. The policy states it does not cover intentional acts. Self-defense is an intentional act and therefore not covered.


I would like to hear the details of your incident. It sounds like State Farm initially denied coverage, then figured it would be easier to pay than litigate against you. If the potential liability was in six or seven figures then it might have turned out differently.

That really sounds scary. My agent said that self defense isn't concidered an intentional act. I thought it sounded too good to be true. This puts me back to square one. What do we do for reliable coverage?

[glock36]

Originally Posted by LuckyDog

Sorry, it is excluded in the policy. The policy states it does not cover intentional acts. Self-defense is an intentional act and therefore not covered.

Originally Posted by gr8fatman

+1 My State Farm agent told me that an umbrella policy will cover it. Not that it's stated in the policy, but because it's not excluded in the policy.

I was informed by my lawyer and agent that self defense is not considered an intentional act. In regards to getting anything in writing from State Farm...good luck.

If you don't think self defense is covered, thats fine. But I'll trust my lawyer of 30 years and my agent of 22 years.

[LuckyDog]

Originally Posted by glock36

If you don't think self defense is covered, thats fine. But I'll trust my lawyer of 30 years and my agent of 22 years.

Read this link: Homeowners Policies and Acts of Self-Defense

Some states have ruled self-defense is covered under personal liability. Other states have ruled the opposite. I am not aware of any case law in California going one way or another.