Second Call Defense Policy Review by Attorney Marc J. Victor
By Attorney Marc J. Victor
October 17, 2023
AOR PROGRAM UPDATE - 12/11/23
The Attorneys On Retainer program has been updated since this video was released, and we are now covering misdemeanors, appeals, and increasing our bail coverage up to $50k on a $50,000 bond.
The Attorneys On Retainer program is NOW A NATIONAL PROGRAM AND OFFERS ADDITIONAL COVERAGE for bail bonds, expert witnesses, investigator fees, scene cleanup, firearm reimbursement, and more! For more information, visit our self-protection plans.
In this article, we are reviewing another self-defense company, Second Call Defense, because personal safety is a top concern for many individuals. Second Call Defense, a provider of legal protection services, claims to offer its members immediate up-front self-defense legal protection without any out-of-pocket expenses. But the question arises - is this promise too good to be true? We dove deeper into the Second Call Defense member commitment package and examined the fine print, whether they truly deliver on their assurance of providing immediate legal protection, and uncovered many exclusions.
“I’ve done many of these other reviews for other companies in the past, this is for responsible gun owners who might get involved in a self-defense shoot and then get charged with a criminal act - You’re worried about being able to afford criminal defense services and a whole bunch of other things, let me tell you why I don’t recommend Second Call. As always don’t take my opinion on anything read the contract for yourself.”
Key Points:
- No Coverage in All 50 States
- Only a $100K Grant For Criminal Defense
- Does Not Include $100K Membership
- No Coverage if you are charged with a Criminal Act
- No Coverage for Domestic Violence
No Coverage in All 50 States
Page 4 - Under Membership Agreement Terms: Membership Eligibility
“Individuals must be at least 18 years of age and a resident of the United States (excluding residents of WA, NY, NJ, and United States territories and possessions) to join Second Call Defense.”
Self-defense incidents can arise anywhere at any given moment. It is important to note that if you reside in any of these states you will not be covered by Second Call Defense.
Only a $100K Grant for Criminal Defense
Exhibit A Page 9 - Second Call Defense Summary of Membership Benefit
“Legal Protection - Criminal Defense Grant up to $100,000 Protection for all Legal Weapons Includes Red Flag, Emergency Risk Protection Orders, Gun Confiscation without Due Process and More."
In all the three packages offered in Second Call, they claim to offer $100K coverage in Criminal Defense Fees. This may seem like a good amount but, if you take a serious felony offense case this is not enough to take you all the way to trial with an experienced criminal defense lawyer and you will be paying a substantial amount out of your pocket.
Does Not Include $100K in the Membership
Exhibit A Page 9 – Second Call Defense Summary of Membership Benefit Fine Print
“The Foundation exists to provide grants of up to $100,000 for responsibly armed gun owners who face criminal prosecution and other situations, such as red flag laws, emergency risk protection orders, gun confiscation without due process, and more. The Second Amendment Support Foundation is not associated with or included in the Second Call Defense Membership, and specific grant amounts are not guaranteed. Grants are available to all American gun owners subject to the Foundation’s approved process."
The $100K that is dedicated to criminal defense services is contingent on the Second Amendment Support Foundation and is not included or affiliated with Second Call Defense. This is the entire reason you would join Second Call, for legal protection after a self-defense incident because as stated they are “self-defense legal protection”. You are not guaranteed this grant that is even available to all non-members.
Isn’t the entire reason you would join Second Call Defense for legal protection? Second Call states they are a “self-defense legal protection” but the $100k that is dedicated to criminal defense services is contingent on the Second Amendment Support Foundation. As stated, the $100k grant is not guaranteed to members and is available to any non-member Americans of Second Call because this is not included within the membership nor is the Second Amendment Support Foundation affiliated with them. This only leaves one to assume that all criminal defense services fees will have to be paid out of pocket.
No Coverage If You Are Charged With a Criminal Act
Page 18 - Under Exclusions
“This Member Benefit Policy does not apply to any “Claim” or “Event” based upon, arising out of directly or indirectly, or in any way related to or involving any actual or alleged:
A. Criminal act by any ‘Member.’"
This is not anything new that we see when reviewing other self-defense policies, no criminal acts are covered but Second Call Defense is different. They also state that any alleged criminal act is not covered. This forms the basis that they have no protocol as to how they interpret an “alleged” criminal act, nor do we know how a court would interpret this. Not being transparent only leaves room to assume that an indictment or something as easy as a criminal complaint means they can drop you from coverage.
No coverage if you are charged with a Criminal Act
Page 18, Subsection I - Under Exclusions
“Domestic Relationships: Second Call Defense will not provide member services for any domestic violence, relationship incident, related criminal investigation, or prosecution arising from the use of force incident involving a Second Call Defense member and a current or former member of the household, including, but not limited to a current or former dating relationship as defined by applicable state law."
We are not very surprised to see that Domestic Violence is not covered because many other companies do not cover domestic relationships. This is still something that any member or potential member should note because domestic violence is the most likely situation a self-defense incident is going to arise. This means that if the court views it as a domestic violence self-defense incident Second Call can drop your coverage leaving you with the criminal defense fees to pay completely out of pocket.
SUMMARY
All these exclusions are consistent across the board with other insurance companies. What makes Second Call untrustworthy is that they do not guarantee any money for a criminal defense lawyer if you are charged with a criminal act. All a function of what an unaffiliated part of the policy, the Second Amendment Support Foundation, is not included within the Second Call Defense membership.
If you are seeking dependable legal defense coverage with little to no exclusions, consider opting for the Attorneys On Retainer Self-Protection Plan. If we can legally argue self-defense in your case and the incident is a felony or a misdemeanor that occurred after you joined, our attorneys will represent you.