This should be a good readin the next few days.
Think we'll get to a discussion about sashes?
I would like to hear BBI chime in on this one.
I can't recommend a specific product, but I'd be comfortable laying out some questions/guidelines I'd use in considering one.
Mandatory questions:
1) Do they pay for your defense up front? If it's a reimbursement after the fact, especially if it's tangent on a win, I'd pass.
2) Will they pay for expert witnesses? Do they have an existing association with known and respected experts?
3) Will they assist with both criminal and civil cases? For you alone or you and your immediate family/household?
4) Will they cover defense of others (aka Good Samaritan) or strictly self defense?
5) Do they have their own network of attorneys? If so, are they vetted and do they have experience with self-defense cases? This is a big deal, as someone who's used to defending people who are factually guilty (most trials) may not approach an affirmative defense case properly. In short, they are using to arguing "he didn't do it" instead of "he did it, but it's ok he did) and need to be able to make that second one in a justified shooting case.
6) Are there caps, and if so what are they?
7) Are they reachable 24/7 and do they have a response team that will physically come if needed?
8) Is the issuer/underwriter financially stable (as in, can they actually pay claims) and is there a secondary underwriter should they fail while you're on the hook?
Bonus questions:
*Do they have their own investigators? Will they do things like canvas the neighborhood for witnesses that didn't/wouldn't talk to the police?
*Do they work with any existing plans you have that might cover portions of your liability? FOP membership, home owner's/umbrella policy for accidental shootings, etc.
I think with those questions you can at least make an informed decision on if any given plan is worth it.
Massad Ayoob didn't have a plan he recommended last time I spoke with him, I can ask if there's one he recommends these days though.
In reading the fine print in their user agreements I find clauses like, we can, even retroactively, cancel your policy for a list of things, one being criminal offenses. My question would be if your defense required you to break any laws Federal, State or local or the Grand Jury does not go well, what happens?
USCCA at the very least will post bond, and provide a retainer for your attorney of choice upfront.Finding somebody who pays up front is going to be tricky, because every one I've seen (granted I havent dug very deep) only covers you if you are innocent. That requires a not guilty verdict to validate the claim, so they cant pay until that comes down. Because what happens if they pay up front and then you are found guilty of a crime? How do they get their money back? Garnish your pennies per hour income working in the prison laundry?
Finding somebody who pays up front is going to be tricky, because every one I've seen (granted I havent dug very deep) only covers you if you are innocent. That requires a not guilty verdict to validate the claim, so they cant pay until that comes down. Because what happens if they pay up front and then you are found guilty of a crime? How do they get their money back? Garnish your pennies per hour income working in the prison laundry?
... Mas says he works with ACLDN so "any recommendations I make would seem biased". I noted Tom Givens is also on the same advisory board. I think both of those guys' opinions are well worth listening to.
In reading the fine print in their user agreements I find clauses like, we can, even retroactively, cancel your policy for a list of things, one being criminal offenses. My question would be if your defense required you to break any laws Federal, State or local or the Grand Jury does not go well, what happens?