Self-Defense Insurance in Calvert County: Legal Protection for Responsible Gun Owners
Residents in Calvert County may purchase a firearm to protect themselves and their loved ones. Unfortunately, even in cases of completely justified self-defense, you can end up facing serious consequences and extreme costs defending yourself from both criminal charges and civil lawsuits. Self-defense insurance (also known as CCW insurance) provides gun owners with coverage that can help in these types of scenarios. At Carey Law Office, we help people in Calvert County, Maryland, navigate gun laws and defend their rights. Here is our take on these insurance options and when they might offer you protection.
Why choose Carey Law Firm in Calvert County?
At Carey Law Firm, we’ve been defending against criminal charges—including gun-related offenses—since 1981. With over 40 years of experience practicing in the area, we have a deep understanding of the state’s self-defense and firearm laws. We treat each client with respect and offer personalized attention to every case. To us, you aren’t just a file on our shelves; you’re a person who needs someone looking out for you, your rights, and your future.
How we can help
- Understanding CCW insurance in Maryland
- What’s included in a typical policy?
- Who needs CCW insurance in Calvert County?
- What are the legal risks of self-defense?
- What should you look for in a plan?
- Common exclusions and misunderstandings
- Real-world scenarios from across the U.S.
- What to do after a defensive shooting in Calvert County
- Do you have an attorney near me in Calvert County who can handle my self-defense case?
Understanding CCW insurance in Maryland
CCW insurance—also known as self-defense insurance—offers coverage for individuals who injure or kill someone in self-defense. Across the country, including in Maryland, these types of policies are becoming more common. Companies like CCW Safe, USCCA, and Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network offer this type of coverage.
While self-defense is legal, prosecutors may accuse a person who acts in self-defense of being the aggressor. If this happens, you can find yourself facing criminal charges and needing to pay a lawyer to represent you. Those costs are well worthwhile when your freedom is on the line. But they can add up.
Additionally, there are times when you might not even face charges, or a court might not convict you, but the person you injured in self-defense or their family may file a civil claim against you. In such lawsuits, you may need to pay damages or settle with the person, which can be extremely costly.
Having this coverage in Maryland is not required, but it is available. Some gun owners may want to consider purchasing a policy.
What’s included in a typical policy?
Policy coverage will vary greatly from company to company and with different plan options. However, the basic idea is that it can help you with some or all of the following:
- Legal fees for your civil and/or criminal defense lawyer
- Bail bond payments if you’re arrested
- Court costs
- Expert witnesses and private investigators who can bolster your defense
- Counseling and emotional support services may be available in some policies
- Emergency legal hotline access so that you have somewhere to turn right away
You should review the policy carefully so that you know what you are paying for and how it may benefit you.
Who needs CCW insurance in Calvert County?
Since you aren’t legally required to have this kind of coverage, it’s up to you whether you want to purchase a policy. However, some reasons you might consider self-defense insurance include:
- In rural parts of the state, residents may need to rely on self-protection because police may be too far away to respond quickly in an emergency. This might make insurance more important.
- Retired law enforcement and military veterans may be confident in protecting themselves and their loved ones, but overlook the possible fallout of a confrontation, even if they are acting in their rights.
- Hunters, recreational shooters, and permit holders who carry their weapons with them, and may have them available to use if they are in a confrontation.
- Homeowners who are worried about home intrusions or break-ins and have a gun for protection.
What are the legal risks of self-defense?
If someone attacks you or your family or breaks into your home, you should be able to protect yourself. People may be shocked to learn that doing so can result in legal consequences. Remember that Maryland is not a “Stand Your Ground” state, so you may, in some cases, be legally obligated to retreat rather than using force. Sadly, even if you legally defend yourself, you could be accused of a crime, arrested, and charged. Even without criminal charges, you may face a civil lawsuit.
Your legal costs could end up in the hundreds of thousands. Insurance may be able to protect you from losing your personal assets or going into debt just to protect yourself.
What should you look for in a plan?
You’ll have to look at what different plans are available and what they offer before you make a decision. Some factors to consider include:
- Is there a reimbursement delay, or does your coverage start immediately?
- Can you choose your own attorney, or are you required to use one who is part of the plan?
- How much coverage does the plan offer? There will be a maximum coverage amount.
- Are there exclusions in the policy for prior convictions or accidental discharges?
With so many options, it’s important to know what you are paying for and how much it can help you.
Common exclusions and misunderstandings
Some policies may have extra requirements for gun owners or exclude coverage under certain circumstances. Using an unregistered firearm can exclude coverage. Engagement in unlawful activity at the time of the incident can also impact coverage. The policy may not cover the defense of others, or may not do so in all circumstances. If you are a security guard and use a gun in self-defense while working, coverage likely will not apply.
In Maryland, you need to have a permit for concealed carry. If you don’t have that permit or follow other gun-related laws, you might not be covered.
Real-world scenarios from across the U.S.
Using a gun in self-defense isn’t just a hypothetical for many Americans. In fact, while there are disputes about the numbers, some reports suggest that defensive use of a gun happens between 60,000 and 2,500,000 times a year in the US. There are more reported defensive gun uses on average each year than reported gun crimes. Civilians are far more likely to use a gun to defend themselves than they are to be killed by one.
The Wall Street Journal actually reported on the rise of self-defense insurance, citing several cases where it helped individuals defend themselves against charges and civil lawsuits. One case involved a person who defended themselves from a home intruder, while another defended himself from someone breaking into his van while he was asleep. In a different case, a woman was denied coverage after the insurer determined her fatal shooting of her estranged husband was not self-defense.
What to do after a defensive shooting in Calvert County
If you have to defend yourself with your firearm, you’ll need to take steps to protect yourself moving forward. Here’s what to do:
- Secure the scene if it is safe to do so, but try not to handle the weapon further.
- Immediately call 911—report the incident and request medical help if needed. Do not leave the scene.
- Do not make statements to police beyond your name and request for legal counsel until your lawyer can counsel you.
- Call the emergency number on your CCW insurance card.
- Let your attorney speak on your behalf from that point forward.
Whether you’re getting your attorney through your insurance or on your own, you need to make sure you have someone there to advocate for you. Never trust that the police will just understand that you were acting in self-defense.
Do you have an attorney near me in Calvert County who can handle my self-defense case?
We have an office in Dunkirk at 10425 Southern Maryland Blvd., #201, Dunkirk, MD 20754. Please reach out right away to speak to us about your case.
Legal help from a team that gets it
We know that sometimes a person needs to act decisively and fast to protect themselves and their families. Our team understands that even if you do the right thing, you may need protection from prosecution. We proudly serve responsible Calvert County gun owners, hunters, veterans, and permit holders in self-defense cases. Call or contact us today to protect your future.