The state's highest court ruled Thursday that an insurance company must defend a Clarksville man in a wrongful-death suit brought by the estate of a man he killed in self-defense.I don't know enough about the subject to do more than speculate, but if this precedent stands, I can see insurance companies charging extra premiums or refusing to provide coverage altogether if you have a gun in the home.
Don't expect to see them tripping all over themselves to recognize the overwhelmingly protective benefits of gun ownership and offer discounts--as many do if you have a home burglar alarm...
The attorney representing the carrier characterized it as a "homeowners' policy" in the last paragraph.
ReplyDeleteMake no mistake, insurers will raise the cost of coverage on ANY pretext they can get away with.
ReplyDeleteThe questions they ask now are all attempts to identify perceived risks. Firearms in the home would be preceived as a risk.
It might be wise to chose not to specifically identify firearms on your homeowners policy, in the event that such ownership is identified as a risk factor which will increase your cost of coverage.
Actually, failing to provide information to an insurance company could be grounds for them to cancel the policy. If they specifically ask about guns and you answer untruthfully, the insurance company might later refuse to pay out on a claim against the insurance, should the truth come out. The only real hope we have is that this case is taking place in New York State, which is fairly well known for its openly hostile attitude towards business in general and firearms in particular. I rather doubt a cout of competent jurisdiction in Texas or Arizona would make the same decision.
ReplyDeleteExpanding on what Cousin George said:
ReplyDeleteGeorgia recently passed the Stand Your Ground law which includes criminal and civil liability immunity if the self defense claim is valid.
So July 1st, 2006 when the law goes into effect, Georgians will not have to worry about that(unless travelling outside of GA).
"I don't know enough about the subject to do more than speculate, but if this precedent stands, I can see insurance companies charging extra premiums or refusing to provide coverage altogether if you have a gun in the home."
ReplyDeleteI think the have been doing that for awhile...
http://www.gunowners.org/op0231.htm