Use of Firearms & Coverage Question

[ShannonO]

Anyone have either any experience with or know of coverage examples on how an HO policy might respond if the Insured uses their firearm to defend themselves within the home? Thinking of a situation that they have a legal firearm in their posession and someone breaks into the home and they shoot the intruder.

There is the obvious exclusion for "intended" acts but since the act of shooting would only intend for the intruder to stop or go away and not intending to harm someone for no reason, I'm not sure this exclusion would necessarily apply.

I would like to think the HO company would defend them.

 

[arnguy]

I'm not a P&C guy so I will not attempt to answer your query, but I can tell you in PA the "Castle Doctrine" has been extended so that you don't have to wait for the intruder to cross your threshold before zapping him.

 

[Guest]

If I recall right, YES, a duty to defend you,

I cant imagine how a guy can break into a house, get shot, and sue the homeowner, and yes it happens!

UN FRIGGIN BELIEVABLE

 

[Josh]

There are special coverages folks can get from organizations like the NRA for just that occasion.

 

[Aram Fingal]

The easy way to make sure he doesn't sue you is to make sure he's dead.

 

[VolAgent]

The easy way to make sure he doesn't sue you is to make sure he's dead.

The family can still go after you for wrongful death.