TexasCHLforum.com

rdcrags wrote:My State Farm agent tells me that if Zimmerman has a State Farm homeowners policy like mine, he is being covered up to $1,000,000 worth of legal fees. I paid maybe $20 per year extra premium to go from $500,000 to $1,000,000.

CRIMINAL legal fees?

Criminal or civil defense? I would ask your state farm agent to show you some official state farm documentation or letter staying they would provide coverage for such a claim. Ask them to specifically state the intentional act of shooting someone would not be cause for them to deny the claim.

Regardless, paying the small amount for the additional limit is a good value proposition.

jbarn wrote:

Oldgringo wrote:I have a Liability Umbrella policy attached to my Home Owner's policy. You might want to ask your agent about one for you?

Does it cover attorney fees for criminal defense?

Ask your agent.

Supposed to....who knows, until it's put to the test? Insurance companies and lawyers are all about their pockets and really don't give a whit about yours. IOW, "you'se pays your money and you'se takes your chances".

An umbrella policy attached to homeowners seems like the way to go. Never thought of that. Thanks for the tip. Seems like a better option if the details of the policy are supportive.

I strongly encourage those of you relying on your homeowner's policy or umbrella to respond an "intentional act" of shooting someone to look at your policy very closely. I recommend you have it documented in writing if your agent is telling you you are covered for such.

mojo84 wrote:I strongly encourage those of you relying on your homeowner's policy or umbrella to respond an "intentional act" of shooting someone to look at your policy very closely. I recommend you have it documented in writing if your agent is telling you you are covered for such.

I agree with reading the policy very closely. IMO no responsible agent is going to sign any such statement. Even if they did it is the insurance policy that is the legal document that defines the coverage. IANAL

WildBill wrote:

mojo84 wrote:I strongly encourage those of you relying on your homeowner's policy or umbrella to respond an "intentional act" of shooting someone to look at your policy very closely. I recommend you have it documented in writing if your agent is telling you you are covered for such.

I agree with reading the policy very closely. IMO no responsible agent is going to sign any such statement. Even if they did it is the insurance policy that is the legal document that defines the coverage. IANAL

You are right. However, a responsible agent wouldn't be telling someone it's covered if the policy doesn't explicitly say it is. Or, if an agent is telling someone something that is contrary to what the policy says, they need to be challenged. That is a way to challenge them.

I can tell you, I wouldn't. But I wouldn't be making the stratement that shooting someone is covered.

Oldgringo wrote:

jbarn wrote:

Oldgringo wrote:I have a Liability Umbrella policy attached to my Home Owner's policy. You might want to ask your agent about one for you?

Does it cover attorney fees for criminal defense?

Ask your agent.

Supposed to....who knows, until it's put to the test? Insurance companies and lawyers are all about their pockets and really don't give a whit about yours. IOW, "you'se pays your money and you'se takes your chances".

Why would I ask my agent? You posted, in a thread about CHL insurance, that you have a liability policy. That might lead one to believe you are suggesting it cover you for a shooting. I have no idea if it does or not, so I am asking you.

I am of the strong suspicion it will not cover legal fees for criminal acts/charges.

jbarn wrote:

rdcrags wrote:My State Farm agent tells me that if Zimmerman has a State Farm homeowners policy like mine, he is being covered up to $1,000,000 worth of legal fees. I paid maybe $20 per year extra premium to go from $500,000 to $1,000,000.

CRIMINAL legal fees?

I said "Zimmerman's legal expenses" to my agent, who has been my agent since circa 1960, and that was his answer. I doubt that any case I may encounter would be any worse than Zimmerman's situation. Anyhow, I don't intend to or expect to have the problem. Just saying.

jbarn wrote:

Oldgringo wrote:

jbarn wrote:

Oldgringo wrote:I have a Liability Umbrella policy attached to my Home Owner's policy. You might want to ask your agent about one for you?

Does it cover attorney fees for criminal defense?

Ask your agent.

Supposed to....who knows, until it's put to the test? Insurance companies and lawyers are all about their pockets and really don't give a whit about yours. IOW, "you'se pays your money and you'se takes your chances".

Why would I ask my agent? You posted, in a thread about CHL insurance, that you have a liability policy. That might lead one to believe you are suggesting it cover you for a shooting. I have no idea if it does or not, so I am asking you.

I am of the strong suspicion it will not cover legal fees for criminal acts/charges.

Once upon a time, lawyers would sue the construction PM or Supt. under the guise that that the person in charge should have known that some moron would fall off of a ladder or walk around an excavation's barricades, etc. and prevented the moron's stupidity/negligence. That was why and when I took mine out and why it is a Liability Umbrella policy. Will it work, who knows until a claim is made?

I have a $1 million umbrella policy (PUP) from a large, national insurance carrier (covers ALL STATES), and all other coverage for auto, renter's and homeowner's insurance.

I can specifically tell you that an Umbrella Policy will not help you in a self defense shooting situation.
The reason is, and the clause specifically states that, ANY willful act is not covered.
A self defense shooting is considered a willful act.
I've questioned it, the agent couldn't answer my question, went higher, and I have confirmation from them in writing, so.....

I have not found any carrier yet that will cover a self defense willful act.

Can ANYONE point me to a large national insurance company that offers a personal umbrella policy that SPECIFICALLY states
in the exceptions that self defense acts are covered under their policy?
I would immediately move all my policies to that carrier.

We signed up with [Pre-paid legal service] the day we took our CHL class.

Blue Demon wrote:We signed up with [Pre-paid legal service] the day we took our CHL class.

I did as well. Best money spent and cheapest insurance that I have.

misterlarry wrote:

Blue Demon wrote:We signed up with [Pre-paid legal service] the day we took our CHL class.

I did as well. Best money spent and cheapest insurance that I have.

Have you used it yet? That is the litmus test.

mojo84 wrote:Have you used it yet? That is the litmus test.

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. IMHO, of course.