As a single mother, you know how important health insurance can be. The last thing you want to happen is a medical emergency, and then have no money to pay the bills when they come due. Beyond the financial factor is the practical one — who will take care or your children and provide for their needs if an injury or illness sidelines you? It’s important to have insurance to cover any eventuality.
Having life insurance is very important, and most single mothers will opt for life insurance as soon as they are eligible for it through their workplace. Life insurance is much less expensive, however, then health insurance or disability coverage. Many parents will have life insurance but forgo the other, because they simply can’t afford to have that much taken out of their checks.
But can you really afford not to do so?
You can save on health insurance and disability by following these tips. They will bring your insurance rates down significantly:
Stop smoking. After at least one year of not smoking, your premiums begin to go down. The longer you go without smoking, the less you will have to pay in health insurance premiums. Besides that, the better your health will be, and the less likely you will be to get sick.
Stay healthy. Keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight under control. Exercise regularly and eat plenty of fresh veggies. Take all medications as prescribed, and don’t miss your doctor’s appointments. The healthier you are, the lower your insurance rates will be, and you will be less likely to have to visit the doctor in the first place.
Get a group rate. Get your health insurance through a group rate, usually through your employer. The more people who opt for the group rate, the cheaper the rates are across the board. Don’t be afraid to look into other alternatives if your workplace seems to be stuck with a plan that costs an outrageous amount of money.
Make some lifestyle changes. Did you know extreme sports can send your insurance rates skyrocketing? Some insurance companies will even pull things like your driving record, and if you are a regular speeder, you are an insurance risk — and that means your rates go up. Keep up with reasonable lifestyle changes in order to bring those rates down.
Combine your insurance. Most states require insurance before you can drive your vehicle. Why not combine your insurance policies with one company and take advantage of the loyalty discounts? The more business you can offer the company, the less your insurance premiums will be.
Invest in supplemental insurance. Companies like AFLAC offer supplemental insurance that takes care of bills your regular insurance might not cover. If you have a mortgage, ensure that your insurance will kick in to pay the bills if you are sidelined by an illness. The more you plan for every eventuality, the better off you and your children will be.
