The Best Concealed Carry Insurance for Church Security
Our detailed comparison of top concealed carry insurance providers will help you make the right choice. USCCA, CCW Safe, Right to Bear, US Law Shield
Over the past year, I have received numerous requests from a lot of you for guidance on selecting the best self-defense insurance plans for church security teams. Given the critical nature of this topic, I undertook a comprehensive evaluation of various insurance plans to determine which offers the best coverage, particularly for those serving in a volunteer security capacity within churches.
It was shocking to see many of these plans and read their contracts. These contracts stipulate what they will cover… and what they won’t. Many were vaguely written to protect the company and not you. Many of you have these popular plans and would be shocked to find out that they won’t cover you when you need them most (after a self defense shooting working as church security).
I won’t go over each plan in detail and I definitely won’t disparage any specific plans. There are definitely some very bad companies. I have been vocal about their lack of care for you and I have been hearing from these companies and they have begun pressuring me about what I am saying. However, I will most definitely give you my number one pick and my suggestion on who you should go with for self defense insurance. Just know that I was not given compensation during this evaluation and it is my honest opinion about who is best to represent you as a church safety ministry member.
I will be re-evaluating this every year. Companies change, leadership changes, and some companies get better while others get worse. For this reason, Each year around this time I will put out changes in the industry.
Why You Need Self-Defense Insurance
In the unfortunate event of a self-defense incident, church security team members face legal and financial risks. Immediate legal representation is vital, as the potential costs of legal defense can be overwhelming without insurance coverage.
Case Study: Kyle Rittenhouse
Consider the high-profile case of Kyle Rittenhouse. He was chased by two individuals with criminal histories, including one with a prior conviction of child molestation (remember, Rittenhouse was a minor when this shooting occurred). In a clear act of self-defense, Rittenhouse shot both men, resulting in one fatality. Despite the self-defense nature of the incident, the prosecutor faced intense political pressure and Rittenhouse was prosecuted for murder. The legal and financial costs were enormous. This case raises the question: Would you be able to survive financially after an event like this?
I attended a course on investigating officer involved shootings (OIS). During the course, an attorney that represents police officers in self defense shootings said that at least 60% of OIS’s end in a civil suit. There is no data for civilian self defense shootings, but you can bet it is on par with OIS’s.
Evaluation Criteria
When evaluating self-defense insurance plans, several critical factors were considered:
Cost: Affordability of monthly premiums.
Coverage for Church Security: Inclusion of individuals acting in church security roles without additional costs.
Civil Representation: Does the plan have coverage for both criminal AND civil representation?
Weapon Coverage: Insurance should cover any weapon used in self-defense, not just firearms.
Defense Cap: Whether there is a cap on the amount the insurance will spend to defend you. It will get very expensive very fast.
Attorney Provision: Availability of an attorney from the start, especially before charges are filed.
Extra Benefits: Some plans have extra benefits, like weapon replacement, counseling sessions, and continuing education (online and live).
Christ-Centered Company: If there is a tie between companies, this would be the tie breaker. Alignment with Christian values and support for faith-based security teams is important. After all, we should be supporting companies that meet our needs and are unashamed to proclaim their faith in Jesus.
Findings from the Evaluation
Popular Plans Did Not Meet the Criteria
Several popular plans failed to meet the specific needs of church security teams. I had considered naming the companies that fell short, but after receiving significant pushback from legal representatives, I chose to focus on what you should look for in a plan instead. The ambiguities in these contracts often protect the company, not you, especially when it comes to church-related self-defense incidents.
Some plans lacked clear coverage for church security roles. Responses from representatives were vague, indicating potential gaps in coverage for church security duties. Some even publicly say, “It depends” when it comes to a church related self defense shooting. Some of these companies were very popular with church safety ministries. This may be due to their heavy use of social media marketing campaigns, use of celebrities in ads and heavy use of affiliate marketing.
There was more than one company where coverage activates only after formal charges are filed. Now, all of them had you on the phone with an attorney fairly quickly. Immediate legal representation is crucial. To be clear, it’s important to have an attorney BEFORE charges are filed. It could be the difference between spending a few nights in jail or being free.
Some plans had limited coverage, particularly in their lower tier plans. Although you are paying a much lower fee, this may expose you to greater financial risks in the event of a self defense incident.
Some plans did not cover you for civil lawsuits. You have a 60% chance of getting sued after a self defense shooting and that can be more expensive than the criminal prosecution.
I contacted all known major companies that provide coverage for self defense shootings. I only heard back from CCW Safe, Attorneys on Retainer, Firearms Legal Protection and Right to Bear. USCCA did promise to get back to me, but they never did. Besides these companies, I also examined plans from US Law Shield, Armed Citizens' Legal Defense Network, Second Call Defense, and Legal Defense for Self Defense.
My initial contact to these companies included the fact that I would be including their responses here and on my YouTube channel. That is a reach of around 2 million people every month. If they aren’t going to get back to me, do you think they will get back to you? Just food for thought.
Coverage for Everyone, Unless You Live in New York, New Jersey or Washington
If you don’t live In these three states, skip down👇 to the next section to learn the winner.
Most CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) insurance plans, such as those offered by companies exclude coverage for residents of Washington, New York and New Jersey due to specific legal and regulatory challenges in those states.
Washington: Washington state has stringent laws regarding insurance policies related to firearms. In 2019, Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler issued a cease and desist order against the NRA's Carry Guard insurance program, stating that it was illegal in the state. The main issue was that these policies were seen as insuring illegal activity because they could be interpreted as offering coverage for acts of intentional harm, which is against state law. This legal environment makes it challenging for CCW insurance providers to offer coverage in Washington.
New Jersey: New Jersey has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the United States, including regulations that significantly limit the use of firearms in self-defense situations. The state also has specific laws governing insurance, particularly concerning policies that might be interpreted as encouraging or enabling the use of firearms. These legal restrictions create a complex regulatory environment for CCW insurance providers, making it difficult or impossible for them to offer their services in the state.
New York: New York presents a similarly challenging environment for CCW insurance providers. In 2018, the New York Department of Financial Services (DFS) took action against the NRA's Carry Guard insurance, resulting in significant fines and orders to halt the program's operation within the state. The DFS argued that the insurance unlawfully promoted coverage for intentional wrongdoing, which is prohibited under New York law. This regulatory stance, coupled with the state's restrictive firearm laws, makes it legally risky for CCW insurance providers to operate in New York. As a result, many insurers exclude New York residents from coverage to avoid potential legal repercussions and ensure compliance with state laws.
I will provide an option for you below after we talk about the winner for those of us in the United States (no offense, but I left California to live in the United States after having the government try and run every aspect of my life).
My Pick for Self Defense Coverage
Keep in mind that I was looking at this from the perspective of someone that is working church security, whether they are paid or a volunteer. However, I think the winner is a great pick for anyone that carries for self defense or even a police officer that is out working the beat everyday.
Right to Bear comes out as a clear winner. Right to Bear reached out to me as I was contacting companies. I literally was about to send them an email when they called. They wanted to let me know that they were looking to protect those that protect our churches. That was a good start.
To be clear, I am not being paid by Right to Bear. I do not shill for anyone.
Let’s break down why Right to Bear is the clear winner in the Church Safety Team self defense coverage evaluation:
Cost
Right to Bear offers plans starting as low as $13.75 a month with no caps on coverage. Many popular plans require you to get enhanced coverage, at a steeper price, to cover your volunteer work at church. You can pay a bit more to include your spouse, cover minor children, or extend coverage to all 50 states. The cost remains consistent whether you are a church safety team member, a police officer involved in a line-of-duty shooting, or using any weapon for self-defense. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you are doing, they have you covered.
Customer Service
Right to Bear's exceptional customer service sets it apart. They proactively reached out during the evaluation process, promptly responding to inquiries and providing clear information. Their emphasis on being a Christ-centered company dedicated to helping church safety team members is commendable. You also receive a card with a 24 hour phone number. If you call that number before the police talk to you, you will have an attorney on the phone right away.
Immediate Legal Support
Right to Bear ensures immediate legal support by providing an attorney as soon as you call for help. You receive legal counsel right after a self-defense incident, and the same attorney will assist you before any charges are filed, offering critical support at the earliest stages.
A few companies that were reviewed only provided an attorney if you are charged. That is bad. Real bad. It is unacceptable.
Comprehensive Coverage
The coverage extends to all church security team members, whether paid or volunteer, at no additional cost. Right to Bear also covers any weapon used in self-defense, including knives, hands, chairs, sledgehammers… anything.
Christ-Centered Focus
To me, this is one of the most important parts. We should all support Christian companies if they meet our needs. The team at Right to Bear consists of Christians who are committed to supporting fellow Christians protecting their church. This alignment with Christian values and focus on faith-based security teams make Right to Bear the ideal choice. I think it is important to support those that are supporting Christ.
As I am writing this right now, the Vice President (Perry Orth) just called me to let me know that they want to help protect those protecting churches. He talked about how he and the President of the company go to the same church and that they are excited that Christians are discovering Right to Bear .
Extra Benefits
There are extra benefits from Right to Bear. Here are some of the standouts:
civil defense: allows you to choose your own attorney in the event you are sued after a self-defense incident.
negligent discharge
bail bond coverage
psychological support provides 40 counseling sessions due to stress/trauma experienced from a self-defense incident (this is huge, there will be a battle within for years after a shooting).
gun replacement after a self defense shooting
spousal coverage
monthly legal newsletter
Recommendations
Right to Bear stands out as the recommended self-defense insurance plan for church security teams. It meets all the critical criteria, offering comprehensive coverage, immediate legal support, and a Christ-centered focus. When choosing a self-defense insurance plan, it is essential to consider your specific needs and ensure the plan provides the necessary protection.
What if I Have Coverage From Someone Other Than Right to Bear?
I’m sure you love your provider, but I looked at every single possible aspect. I looked at it from a guy that responded to self defense shootings, and as a person knowledgeable in all aspects of what happens after a self defense shooting takes place. Right to Bear is the best choice for you if you work on a church safety team. My recommendation is to leave your current plan for a new one. Even though it is a pain and uncomfortable to go with someone new, it is the best choice.
What About New York, New Jersey and Washington?
I mentioned earlier about the heartache those serving our Lord in these states face. Your best option is Attorneys on Retainer. They are not insurance, so they don’t fall under the regulations that the oppressive government is putting on you. Or, you could move up to Idaho with me and live in freedom. I know a few good churches you could join here.
Here From VP of Right to Bear VP Perry Orth
Conclusion
Having a comprehensive self-defense insurance plan is vital for church security team members. Right to Bear insurance offers the best coverage, ensuring legal and financial protection in self-defense incidents. Consider your needs carefully and evaluate your options to ensure you have the best possible coverage.
great review Keith. I have been looking at this stuff for so long it seems. Comparing everything down to the detail of coverage can be mind boggling.
We had a a bit of an overview with Armed Citizen Legal Defense yesterday. The one thing that was off putting to me about them is this scenario: S has hit the fan, you call their hotline, someone picks up and they hear your side of the story...but no action is taken until their "board" convenes and THEY decide that it was a righteous shoot, etc. meanwhile you're sitting in jail, maybe you're charged maybe you're not. Then THEY decide whether or not to take the case on. Doesn't sound much like self defense protection to me. Sounds pretty similar to the kind of behavior we hear coming from other "providers" of this sort of service. i understand no one wants to lose as case, but if you advertise yourself as a service that someone PAYS for then, dern it...you better step up and do your job. If not then I call it fraud.
Great information Brother!!! Blessings 🙏🏽