Self-Defense Liability Insurance for Gun Owners: 2025 Guide

Self-Defense Liability Insurance: A Must for Firearms Owners As a firearms owner, at some point you have been told you should have insurance. The first thing many of us think to do is call our homeowners insurance company and ask them what type of coverage we have. Great first step! This is something we should all do as firearms owners, most homeowners policies coverage is no where near what replacement costs would be. Call your agent and find out what your policy provides for coverage and adjust it based on what you need now and what you might need in the next year. These conversations can be had with your provider at any time, don’t be afraid to call them and have them add or subtract your needs at any time.

What Is Self-Defense Liability Insurance (SDLI)?

But, let’s talk a little bit about other insurance, namely self-defense liability insurance (SDLI). Do you have a self-defense plan in place? Do you know what you should consider in creating one? Just like creating a home defense plan in the case of an invasion, you should plan a self-defense liability plan for when/if an unthinkable act happens, anywhere.

Many SDLI policies are created to cover you after an incident where you had to protect yourself. But they are not all created equal. There are a number of types out there, and an even higher number of opinions out there about what they cover. While your friend, neighbor, or family member might be well-meaning in advising you one what type of SDLI to purchase, you should think about the aftermath of an incident and back-track to what you need from there. You are likely not thinking on a big enough scope, some below are a few points to consider.

Key Considerations for Choosing SDLI

First, if you happen to become involved in an incident that involves your firearm, especially when there is a lethal attack, you are going to go to jail in most cases. Now, don’t panic, you aren’t going to be there forever, but it is going to disrupt your life for a period of time. As long as you are not guilty, you will be home, but only after a period of investigation. During this time you will be incurring a lot of financial stress. The first thing to know about your SDLI policy is how does it acknowledge you with their critical response team? What does access to an attorney look like? Are you provided an attorney without knowledge of their background or can you choose from a fully vetted attorney who has represented lethal force and firearms cases before? What does the policy provide for their fees, bail, and possible civil suit fees after your initial case is settled?

Many people don’t think about the other fallout of this situation. You are going to be losing income during this time, does your SDLI provide support and stick with your during an appeals process? Or do they have a financial cap on each incident? The costs can escalate beyond what you could imagine, this is important information. A $250,000 cap will be used before your bail is secured. Also, do some investigative work into who does your policy cover and where. Does it only cover you and your home, or does it cover all your family members where you call home, such as on a trip in a hotel? Does it cover an altercation that doesn’t cover a firearm related incident? Does it cover you for incidental damages involved in these cases?

Benefits of SDLI

Many of these insurance companies also offer other features to make your membership, including access to education and training, be sure to do your homework and find out all they offer and what you need. You don’t want to be dealing with the aftermath of a lethal force incident only to find out you have an attorney who has never tried a firearms case, and that your policy doesn’t cover nearly a quarter of your financial burden.

Protect Yourself with the Right SDLI Plan

As firearms owners, we carry a responsibility to prepare for all outcomes. Self-defense liability insurance isn’t just an add-on—it’s a critical shield against the legal and financial chaos that can follow an incident. From ensuring attorney access to covering bail, civil suits, and lost income, the right SDLI policy can save you from ruin. Don’t settle for less; investigate what your plan covers and where. Pair it with solid homeowners insurance, and you’ve got peace of mind—anywhere, anytime. Act now, because the unexpected doesn’t wait.