I was out of town when someone kicked in our back door. My wife grabbed my Glock 19 from the nightstand and fired two shots, scaring the intruder off. When the police arrived, they confiscated the gun and questioned her for hours. I called my self-defense insurance hotline to get her a lawyer, only to be told: “Sir, you are the member. She is not on the policy.”
Key Takeaways
- Membership is Individual: Unless you specifically bought a “Family Plan” or “Spouse Add-on,” your carry insurance covers you and only you.
- “Home Defense” vs. “Carry”: Some plans (like USCCA) cover a spouse only inside the home. If she uses the gun in the Walmart parking lot, she is uninsured.
- The “Permitted” Clause: If your wife does not have a CCW permit, but carries your gun outside the home and shoots, many policies will deny coverage based on “illegal carry” acts.
- Shared Liability: Even if she isn’t covered for criminal defense, you might be sued civilly for “negligent entrustment” of the firearm. Your policy needs to cover you for that lawsuit.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Named Insured.”
Insurance contracts are strict. If her name isn’t on the declaration page, she isn’t a customer.
Many gun owners assume “Household Coverage” is automatic. It is not. It is an upsell.
The Investigation (I Checked the Add-ons)
I looked at how to add a spouse in 2026.
US Law Shield
- Policy: Individual memberships only.
- Solution: You must buy a separate membership for her. It’s cheaper (add-on rate), but it’s a distinct contract. If you didn’t pay the extra $10/mo, she has zero coverage.
CCW Safe
- Policy: “Defender” plan covers the primary member.
- Solution: They have a “Spouse” plan that is deeply discounted.
- Home Defense: Some plans automatically cover the spouse in the home for no extra charge. Check the “Home Defense” clause specifically.
USCCA
- Policy: Spouse coverage is often included in higher tiers (Platinum/Elite) for defense inside the home.
- Solution: Verify if “Carry” outside the home requires a separate membership.
Comparison Table
| Scenario | US Law Shield | CCW Safe (Defender) | USCCA (Elite) |
| Wife shoots inside home | Denied (unless added) | Covered (usually) | Covered |
| Wife shoots outside home | Denied (unless added) | Denied (needs own plan) | Denied (needs own plan) |
| Cost to Add Spouse | ~$11/mo | ~$100/yr | Discounted Rate |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Audit Your Dashboard: Log in right now. Does it say “Member: [Your Name]” or “Member: [Your Name] + Spouse”?
- Buy the Add-on: It is the cheapest insurance you will ever buy. Do not risk your family’s financial future to save $120 a year.
- Check Her Permit Status: If she carries your gun, she needs her own permit. Insurance rarely covers illegal carry.
- [IMAGE: Photo of a ‘Spouse Add-on’ confirmation screen]
- Brief Her: Tell her: “If anything happens, call this number, not me.” Give her a card for her wallet.
FAQ
What if my teenage son uses the gun?
Most policies cover “minor children” inside the residence for self-defense. Once they turn 18, they are adults and need their own plan.
Does this cover unmarried partners?
Usually, yes, if they reside in the same household. But “Spouse” legal definitions vary. Check with the provider.