Self-defense insurance plans can be an absolute lifesaver if you ever find yourself in the unfortunate situation of having to defend yourself with a firearm or other weapon. So, I’ve been researching the plans out there and wanted to address something that I believe needs to be addressed. Today, I’m going to talk about the top three legal defense plan providers: U.S. Law Shield, CCW Safe, and the USCCA. I’m going to approach this comparison in a bit of an unorthodox way. Most comparisons go into the fine details of the coverage limits, the cost, etc. I’m not going to bother doing all of that. Why? Because, in my opinion, two of the three big players have a single exclusion that is so egregious the plans shouldn’t even be considered. Allow me to introduce my Legal Defense Plan Wall of Shame, where legal defense companies go that have such drastic exclusions in their coverage that they should be ashamed of themselves. I won’t go so far as to say these companies engage in false advertising since everything is technically outlined in their fine print. But think of them as having a click-bait news headline that says one thing and the actual article says something just a bit different. In 2018, the most recent data available at the time of this writing, nearly 1 in 5 murders was committed by a family member, a domestic partner, or a dating partner. The two organizations on my Wall of Shame will feed you to the wolves if you have to defend yourself in these types of situations.Concealed Carry Self-Defense Insurance
The Wall of Shame
U.S. Law Shield
First up to earn a spot on my Wall of Shame is U.S. Law Shield.
U.S. Law Shield is one of the most popular legal defense organizations in existence. They are even endorsed by Florida Carry, a non-profit, non-partisan, grassroots organization dedicated to advancing Floridians’ right to keep and bear arms for self-defense. In exchange for its endorsement, Florida Carry members receive a pretty decent discount on their U.S. Law Shield membership.
The major problem with U.S. Law Shield lies in their “Family Violence Exclusion.” In my opinion, it is an automatic disqualifier and a very good reason to choose someone else for your legal defense needs.
Here it is, straight from their terms:
“Family Violence Exclusion. This Legal Service Contract specifically excludes providing Member with legal representation from an Independent Program Attorney for any incident, criminal investigation, or prosecution involving a firearm or other lawful weapon against a Member’s current or former family member, household or dating relationship as defined in applicable state law.”
So if you are forced to defend yourself against a crazed stalker of an ex-husband (or ex-wife), you’re going to be hung out to dry? The people you are relying on to legally defend you are going to turn their backs and say, “Sorry, but as outlined in the membership agreement, we don’t cover that. Best of luck to you.” Are you kidding me right now?!?
UPDATE: Apparently I’m not the only one who’s picked up on this unacceptable exclusion because, on June 17, 2020, U.S. Law Shield sent a letter to its members seemingly backpedaling their own contract terms. In the letter they claim, “Any Member who uses a firearm or other legal weapon in justified self-defense or defense of another is eligible for coverage, regardless of the specific charges they face, including charges alleging domestic violence.”
The problem with this is the actual contract says something completely different and the contract is going to have the final say, not some damage-control letter they sent out because they got called out.
This seems to double down on the problem I have with U.S. Law Shield because their membership contract says one thing, and then they send out a letter that says something completely different. If U.S. Law Shield truly feels the way their letter presents, then they need to update the actual contract language. As of right now their contract and their letter say two completely different things, and I would not rely on a letter to supersede a formal membership agreement. As if that wasn’t bad enough, I posted about this conflict in the Florida Carry Facebook group (since they heavily endorse them), and the discussion post mysteriously disappeared.
CCW Safe
The next organization to earn a spot on my Wall of Shame is CCW Safe.
CCW Safe is another heavy hitter in the legal defense arena. Jon Gutmacher, author of the top Florida and Federal gun law book in the nation (which is a fantastic book by the way), endorses CCW Safe as his legal defense plan of choice.
My problem with them is, just as with U.S. Law Shield, CCW Safe does not cover domestic self-defense incidents.
And here it is, straight from their terms:
“DOMESTIC RELATIONSHIPS: CCW Safe will not provide the services for any domestic violence incident, criminal investigation, or prosecution arising from a use of force incident involving you and a current or former member of the household, including, but not limited to, a spouse, former spouse, adult or minor child, or involving those in a current or former dating relationship as defined in applicable state law.”
(Video) Should You Talk To Police After A Self-Defense Incident Part 1
I feel like I’m beating a dead horse, but I’m absolutely floored. People rely on these folks, and even pay them a good bit of money, to stand by their side when things go bad, and they give themselves an out so they don’t have to help. It literally blows my mind.
How many times have we heard of someone being attacked or murdered by a crazed ex-spouse or ex-significant other? If you have a stalker who you were once in a relationship with, CCW Safe WILL NOT cover you in a self-defense incident against that person.
I’d be willing to bet most of their members have never read the actual membership agreement, and simply decided which company to go with based off of a comparison chart they found online, or perhaps a high-pressure affiliate who sold them the plan. Some people are going to be sorely disappointed to learn they will be hung out to dry by the people they thought had their back. But I won’t be one of them.
USCCA
In steps the United States Concealed Carry Association. Of the three big players, they are the only one that does not have an exclusion for domestic, family, or dating violence.
I read through the entirety of the USCCA Membership Agreement and nowhere in the terms, nor in the self-defense insurance policy, does it even mention domestic or family violence. If you don’t want to read through the entire pamphlet, you can search (Ctrl + F) the PDF document for “domestic,” “family violence,” or other related terms. The word “family” doesn’t even appear in the agreement, and the only time “spouse” is mentioned is in reference to the discount offered to your spouse if you become a member.
There are advantages and disadvantages to each self-defense plan out there. None of them are perfect and they all have exclusions of some sort. But to exclude coverage for defending yourself against a family member or a domestic/dating partner is absolutely unacceptable in my book.
For this reason, I have to recommend USCCA’s self-defense liability insurance as my plan of choice.
Only you can decide which plan is right for your specific situation, but I wanted to take the time to show you this very significant loophole that some of the organizations may exploit to avoid helping you navigate the aftermath of a critical self-defense incident.
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FAQs
Which is better USCCA or U.S. LawShield? ›
USCCA vs US Law Shield: Features. If you're keeping score so far, US Law Shield has won on both membership cost and dollar amount of legal defense coverage. However, USCCA really pulls ahead when we look at other coverages and features.
What is the difference between second call defense and U.S. LawShield? ›Second Call's Ultimate plan covers civil suit defense up to $1,000,000 and damages up to $250,000. USCCA covers civil liability defense and damages up to $2,000,000. US Law Shield covers civil defense costs but not damages.
Is Texas Law Shield the same as U.S. LawShield? ›For many years, we provided our program to law-abiding residents of Texas and were known as Texas LawShield®. But demand for services existed well beyond the state of Texas, and our team expanded to other states. Along the way, we took on the name U.S. LawShield®.
Is USCCA insurance worth it? ›Among the options for firearm, weapon or self-defense insurance, USCCA Self Defense Shield seems to be a solid choice. The organization provides a substantial level of liability and criminal defense coverage at a reasonable price.
Is U.S. LawShield an MLM? ›LegalShield (previously known as Pre-Paid Legal Services or simply Pre-Paid Legal) is an American corporation that sells legal service products direct to consumer through employer groups and through multi-level marketing in the United States, and Canada. It was available in the United Kingdom from 2019 to 2021.
Can you cancel U.S. LawShield? ›Members have the right to cancel their contract or policy and legal service at any time. Just call Member Services at 877-448-6839 to cancel via telephone, or you may cancel in writing. We will gladly refund your prorated unused membership fees or policy premiums.
What are the two most common types of defenses? ›The most commonly recognized of these defenses are self-defense and defense of others. A defendant may argue, for instance, that he did shoot an intruder but did so in self-defense because the intruder was threatening him with a knife.
What are the two major categories of legal defenses? ›When it comes to criminal cases, there are usually four major criminal defense strategies that criminal attorneys employ: innocence, constitutional violations, self-defense, and insanity.
Is self-defense recognized as a defense in all 50 states? ›It is widely accepted on principle that a person may protect themselves from harm under appropriate circumstances, even when that behavior would normally amount to a crime. In the United States' legal system, each state allows a defendant to claim self-defense when accused of a violent crime.
Who is better than LegalShield? ›Overall Winner: Rocket Lawyer
In this comparison, LegalShield came out as the best service suitable for businesses, with the debt collection service, and the 3-month legal support for business establishment. But overall, Rocket Lawyer is recommended for individuals, and LegalShield, for businesses.
What states does Texas law shield cover? ›
MULTI-STATE PROTECTION
For one additional low price, members can receive the same legal benefits – including criminal and civil legal defense – in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Pricing is just $2.95 per month or $35.40 annually per member.
How Much Does US Law Shield Cost? US Law Shield costs $131.40 per year for an individual and $240 per year for a couple.
Who owns USCCA? ›The USCCA is an American-based association powered by Delta Defense, LLC. Delta Defense is headquartered in West Bend, Wisconsin, and serves over 635,000 USCCA members across the United States.
How much is annual USCCA membership? ›The prices of the three membership levels are as follows: Gold USCCA Membership: $29/mo or $299/yr ($49 savings with the annual plan) Platinum USCCA Membership: $39/mo or $399/yr ($69 savings with annual plan) Elite USCCA Membership: $49/mo or $499/yr ($89 savings with the annual plan)
Does USCCA cover knife defense? ›And because USCCA's Self-Defense SHIELD covers all weapons used in self-defense, members will have the legal backing they need if they are ever forced to use the tools and techniques we are sure to talk about.
Is LegalShield good to have? ›If you want the security of knowing that you can quickly get a response from a lawyer if you ever need it, LegalShield is a good choice. For a reasonable monthly fee, you can access a lawyer at a leading law firm and get targeted help on specific problem areas for small businesses, such as debt collection.
Can you make money selling LegalShield? ›Level Compensation
Commissions are paid as a percentage of the membership fee, ranging from 12% to 16%, with bonuses for 1,000 members. Renewals are paid at the same rate as in the first year.
The new owners of Pre-Paid Legal Services have changed the Ada company's name to LegalShield. The new name for the 40-year-old company, bought in June by New York-based private equity firm MidOcean Partners, is part of “rebranding initiative,” the company said.
Does U.S. LawShield have an app? ›Download the app to join our community of 700,000+ responsible self-defenders! Or visit uslawshield.com to register for one of our educational events. Members: Get the app to access key account information, exclusive benefits and more!
Does U.S. LawShield cover New Jersey? ›U.S. LawShield is here to protect folks from the abuses that exist in the New Jersey system. To find out more about this, visit uslawshield.com.
Does LegalShield handle immigration? ›
Does my membership cover immigration? A LegalShield membership provides consultation and a discount on other legal services related to immigration issues.
What is the most common argument of a defense attorney? ›The most common defense is that the prosecution failed to prove the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. By raising questions about the credibility of the prosecution's witnesses, the defense counsel seeks to create reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors so they will acquit the defendant.
What are the 7 grounds of justification? › now let's quickly look at the various grounds of justification: there is consent, consent by assumption of risk, the pactum de non pretendo in anticipando, necessity, self defense which is more an American term ins S Africa call it private defense, provocation, statutory authority, official capacity, obedience to ...
What is the 5 element test for self-defense? ›- Principle 1: Innocence. ...
- Principle 2: Imminence. ...
- Principle 3: Proportionality. ...
- Principle 4: Avoidance. ...
- Principle 5: Reasonableness.
Alibi, in the absence of any convincing evidence that it is physically impossible on the part of the accused to be in the crime scene, is always considered by the Supreme Court as the weakest defense.
What is the best defense in any legal issue? ›One of the simplest defenses to criminal liability is the defense of innocence. This defense is raised when you did not commit the crime. Remember, the prosecution has to prove every element of the crime charged against you and prove it beyond a reasonable doubt. To be innocent you do not have to prove anything.
What are the 7 procedural defenses? ›Some common procedural defenses are entrapment by the government, false confession by witnesses, falsified evidence, denial of a speedy trial, double jeopardy, prosecutorial misconduct, and selective prosecution.
What is the #1 rule of self-defense? ›FIRST: You must have a reasonable belief that your'e being attacked or about to be attacked. SECOND: Unless you are in your home, you must try to retreat (i.e., run away) before you can defend yourself. In other words, you need to try to retreat or run away or get away in any way you can, until you can't.
What is the legal defense that can be used in most states? ›The common law principle of “castle doctrine” says that individuals have the right to use reasonable force, including deadly force, to protect themselves against an intruder in their home. This principle has been codified and expanded by state legislatures.
What is the best site for legal documents? ›- Best Overall: LegalShield.
- Best Free Advice: Avvo.
- Best Self-Service Documents: LegalZoom.
- Best for Finding a Lawyer: FindLaw.
- Best for Complex Needs: Rocket Lawyer.
- Best for Startup Businesses: Incfile.
Who is the competitor to LegalShield? ›
legalshield.com's top 5 competitors in November 2022 are: legalzoom.com, rocketlawyer.com, legalplans.com, countrywideppls.com, and more.
Who is LegalShield competition? ›LegalShield Competitors & Alternatives
The Data Alliance, adsquare Data Alliance, Lotame, and Oracle Datalogix are the top competitors and alternatives to LegalShield.
Beginning September 1, 2021, HB1927 made it legal in Texas for most people 21 or over to carry a handgun in a holster without a permit both openly and/or concealed. This law modified the previous open carry law from 2016 by eliminating the requirement to have a license to carry.
How many guns can you own in Texas? ›Texas has no specific laws restricting how many guns you can legally own in this state, according to the Texas State Law Library. Also, federal law doesn't specifically limit how many guns can be legally owned.
Can I carry a handgun in my car in Texas without a permit? ›The Texas Motorist Protection Act (HB 1815), effective as of September 1, 2007, permits any law-abiding Texas resident the legal right to carry a handgun inside their motor vehicle in Texas without a Handgun License to Carry or any other permit.
Can you cancel USCCA membership? ›How do I cancel my USCCA Membership? Your USCCA Membership is 100% risk-free with the USCCA 365-Day, Money-Back Bulletproof Guarantee. To cancel your USCCA Membership, simply call 800-674-9779 to request a prompt and courteous refund.
What is the maximum contingency fee in Texas? ›In Texas, typical contingency fee percentages can range from 33% to 45%. Some attorneys will even charge lower percentages if a case settles prior to a lawsuit being filed.
How can I get a free lawyer in Texas? ›The Texas Legal Services Center is a nonprofit law firm that provides free representation and assistance to Texans who qualify for their services based on income or other criteria.
Does USCCA support NRA? ›In a note sent to millions of USCCA supporters, Founder and President Tim Schmidt said that even though the NRA might be fearing the competition, USCCA will still support the NRA's efforts to protect the Second Amendment.
How many people are in the USCCA? ›The USCCA is an association of over 650,000 responsibly armed members. The USCCA exists to help American gun owners avoid danger, save lives and keep their loved ones safe through their membership benefits.
Does the USCCA handle civil suits? ›
Second Call's Ultimate plan covers civil suit defense up to $1,000,000 and damages up to $250,000. USCCA covers civil liability defense and damages up to $2,000,000. US Law Shield covers civil defense costs but not damages.
Is USCCA really worth it? ›A membership with the USCCA provides clear legal benefits for gun owners backed by a reputable insurer. A membership with the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) provides a variety of benefits for gun owners, the most significant of which is liability insurance and criminal defense protection.
What are the benefits of joining the USCCA? ›- USCCA Protector Academy. ...
- Concealed Carry Magazine Subscription, plus Digital Access to 5 Years of Past Issues.
- Self-Defense Liability Insurance*
- 24/7 Critical Response Team Access.
- Free Shipping in USCCA Store.
- Discounts from USCCA Industry Partners.
Is it illegal to carry a knife for self-defense? Even if you are only carrying a knife for self-defense, you may still be subject to summons and/or arrest if the circumstances indicate that the knife is used or possessed as a weapon. If you feel threatened or in danger, call 911 for police assistance.
Does USCCA cover fist fights? ›Use Of Any Legal Weapon Of Opportunity covered in acts of self-defense (handguns, rifles, knives, pepper spray, fists, or even a frying pan.) 100% Up-Front Coverage if you're ever involved in a self-defense incident.
Is it smart to carry a knife for self-defense? ›With the many options available, a knife can prove the perfect weapon for self-protection. In many cases, a folding knife is the choice because of easier concealment. However, with just a little effort, a fixed blade knife also can prove effective. It's ultimately up to the individual.
Is LegalShield Real? ›LegalShield is an online legal service that provides affordable legal coverage for small businesses and individuals. Instead of paying the steep hourly rates typically charged by law firms, customers can pay a fixed monthly rate for legal representation and advice on a range of issues.
How much does USCCA cost? ›The prices of the three membership levels are as follows: Gold USCCA Membership: $29/mo or $299/yr ($49 savings with the annual plan) Platinum USCCA Membership: $39/mo or $399/yr ($69 savings with annual plan) Elite USCCA Membership: $49/mo or $499/yr ($89 savings with the annual plan)
Are gun trusts still worth it? ›If you want to legally share NFA firearms with others, then a trust may be worth it. However, if that's really not that practical of an idea for you to share gun ownership (possession) with others, then the burden to get that tax stamp is likely too much.
Does USCCA have a money-back guarantee? ›Your USCCA Membership is 100% risk-free with the USCCA 365-Day, Money-Back Bulletproof Guarantee. To cancel your USCCA Membership, simply call 800-674-9779 to request a prompt and courteous refund.
Does USCCA cover theft? ›
USCCA Does Not Cover Criminal Acts of Any Kind
If that happens, USCCA is not required to cover you. Most people think they are purchasing coverage from USCCA in the event they must use their firearm, but there is no coverage if you are found not to be acting in self-defense.
- Phone: 1-844-714-8494 (Mon-Fri, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. CDT)
- Email support@legalshieldcorp.com.
- Mailing address: One Pre-Paid Way Ada, Oklahoma 74820.
- Why we require a written request:
U.S. Concealed Carry Association: More Than 20 Years in the Making... Your membership is backed by the USCCA 365-day, 100% money-back Bulletproof Guarantee.
What comes in the USCCA welcome kit? ›Inside you'll find a compact multi-tool, heavy-duty tactical pen with carbide tip, 2-in-1 all-weather magnesium firestarter, LED flashlight, compass with dual-scale ruler, 4-inch Israeli bandage, antibacterial wipes, signal mirror, emergency whistle, and paracord.
Does U.S. LawShield cover New York? ›Yes. Members, today we're pleased to announce that the best coverage just got better—and at NO COST TO YOU! Watch this video with U.S. Law Shield President Kirk Evans as he explains the new benefits your base coverage includes starting today.