I am a certified instructor. During a “Holster Draw” drill, a student shot themselves in the leg. They survived but are suing me for $1,000,000 for “Failure to Supervise” and “Unsafe Training Environment.” My homeowners policy said, “Business pursuit excluded.”
Key Takeaways
- You Need Professional Liability: Homeowners insurance never covers business activities. You need specific “Firearms Instructor Liability” insurance.
- Lockton / NRA / USCCA: These are the main providers. Policies cover “General Liability” (slip and fall) and “Professional Liability” (bad instruction).
- Negligence Standard: The lawsuit alleges you were negligent in your teaching (e.g., you didn’t check their gear, you progressed too fast). Your insurance defends this.
- Live Fire Exclusion: Cheap policies exclude live fire training. Ensure your policy explicitly covers “Live Fire Instruction.”
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “The Waiver Fallacy.”
Instructors think waivers stop lawsuits. They don’t. The student sues anyway. The waiver is just evidence for the defense. You still need insurance to pay the $50,000 legal bill to prove the waiver is valid.
The Investigation (I Quoted Policies)
I compared instructor policies for 2026.
Lockton Affinity (NRA Endorsed)
- Coverage: Industry standard. Covers negligent supervision.
- Limits: $1M / $2M aggregate.
- Cost: ~
300−300−500/year.
USCCA Instructor Insurance
- Coverage: Often included if you are a certified USCCA instructor teaching their curriculum.
- Trap: If you teach your own “Tactical Ninja” curriculum, their policy might not cover it. Check the “Approved Curriculum” clause.
Xinsurance
- Coverage: True excess liability. They cover the weird stuff others exclude (tactical, shoothouse, force-on-force).
- Cost: Higher, but comprehensive.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Lockton | USCCA (Official) | Homeowners |
| Professional Liability | Yes | Yes (Curriculum bound) | No |
| Live Fire Coverage | Yes | Yes | No |
| Medical Payments (Student) | Optional Add-on | No | No |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Buy a Dedicated Policy: Do not teach a single class without a Certificate of Insurance (COI) in your hand.
- Check the “Curriculum” Clause: Ensure the policy covers what you teach. If you teach “vehicle defense” but the policy is for “basic pistol,” you are uninsured.
- Mandatory Med Kits: Carrying a trauma kit and knowing how to use it reduces the “damages” in the lawsuit. If you saved his life, the jury is kinder.
- [IMAGE: Photo of a trauma kit on a range belt]
FAQ
Does the range’s insurance cover me?
Usually no. They require you to name them as an “Additional Insured” on your policy.
What if I’m an RSO (Range Safety Officer)?
You need RSO coverage. It’s distinct from Instructor coverage.