Here are some tips to help
you find the most comprehensive and affordable health insurance quotes out
there.
1. Health insurance quotes
vary by state, sometimes even by city.
Because every state has their own Department of Insurance,
the regulations on prices also differ based on which state you live in. Each
state has its own laws on individual health insurance rates. When health care
reform is implemented in 2014, states will manage their own
"exchanges," and have the option of partnering with other states to
create "multi-state exchanges" and serve a larger population. This
increases competition among providers, and offers the consumer more options.
Moreover, health insurance quotes vary by state proportional to the general
cost of living and demographic variation.
2. The heavier you are, the
more expensive your health insurance prices are.
The more you adjust your lifestyle to focus on staying fit
and healthy, the less you have to pay for health insurance! Because of the
increased risk of illness among those who are overweight, insurance companies
charge this group a higher premium. But take heart-if you are overweight and
facing high health insurance prices, you should explore your plan's wellness
options. Some carriers offer incentives, (i.e. decreased premiums) to those who
take part in weight loss wellness programs, which is a true win-win—lose weight
and get healthier while paying less for health insurance!
3. Health insurance quotes for similar plans can vary widely from
one insurance company to another.
This sometimes occurs with health insurance quotes for
similar plans because a pool becomes really sick and enters a negative spiral.
This might seem confusing, so don't hesitate to ask a licensed insurance agent
to explain further if you notice this while browsing free health insurance
quotes online.
4. Smokers pay higher
health insurance prices
Because smoking deteriorates your health, and that of your
dependants due to second-hand smoke, smokers pay higher premiums than
non-smokers. However, some health insurance companies offer lower rates to
smokers who have quit smoking and maintained that status for a certain period
of time.
5. The health insurance
quote you receive is not final.
If you enter all your information accurately, a health
insurance quote is supposed to be a good approximation of the options available
to you. These quotes are not final, because carries may adjust health insurance
prices slightly lower or higher when you actually buy the plan.
6. The older you are, the
higher your health insurance quotes are.
Health insurance companies generally charge older people
more because of their greater use of medical services, as compared to younger
people.
7. The higher your
deductible (generally), the lower your premium (but not always).
If you pay a higher
deductible, that means you assume more risk in the event that you need medical
attention and the insurance company has less on the line. Browse free health
insurance quotes online to see how the high deductible plans generally have lower
monthly premiums, compared to other types of plans.