The issuance of concealed carry permits in the state of Illinois has begun. You may have completed the required training, filled out the appropriate application and paid your fee, but have you investigated the personal ramifications of using your concealed weapon? Criminal and civil lawsuits are certainly a possibility in this litigious age.

As a personal lines insurance producer with 20 years of experience, I have had to do some research to counsel my insurance customers considering concealed carry. Many people would assume that their homeowner’s insurance will cover them in the event that they use their weapon for self defense. At this juncture, assumptions are all we have because there have not yet been any insurance claims, court cases or awards. Assumption is not insurance. Until precedents have been established, anyone with a concealed carry permit should consider them self vulnerable. Policy verbiage varies from company to company and “intentional” harm exclusions will come into play. Any restitution for legal fees including retainers may not occur until after a court has verified that the act constituted legal use of a concealed weapon. At that point, you could be floundering in debt or experiencing significant disruption of your normal lifestyle.

The whole purpose of carrying a concealed weapon is to reduce your vulnerability, so I would strongly urge you to purchase a product specifically designed to cover you in the event of a self-defense incident. At Diederich Insurance, we are recommending reasonably priced packages through CCW Safe. The chart below shows why CCW’s product is the most comprehensive available in Illinois today. For more information or to purchase the coverage, please go to www.ccwsafe.com/diederichinsurance or give me a call.