Finding an Insurance Broker for Freelancers
Brokers Can Help Find Health Insurance for the Self-Employed
Oct 20, 2009
Affordable health insurance remains elusive for many Americans, especially those that are self-employed and cannot rely on a company to negotiate reasonable premiums on their behalf. Health insurance for freelancers that have previous health conditions might be particularly hard to find. Freelancers that are struggling to find affordable health insurance may want to consider hiring an insurance broker.
Benefits of an Health Insurance Broker for Freelancers
A broker will navigate the complicated world of health insurance for his client – presenting the most suitable options and explaining the details of different insurance plans. A good broker will help a freelancer evaluate her needs and help her tailor the insurance plan to suit those needs. A good broker will also work with the freelancer after a choice has been made to review the plan, update the coverage as needed, and answer questions about claims. Brokers are independent and sell for multiple health insurance companies (as opposed to agents which are loyal to one company).
What to Look for In a Freelancers' Health Insurance Broker
The website Survivorship A-Z gives excellent advice that can be applied to freelancers in its article “How to Choose and Work With a Health Insurance Broker.” First, make sure the broker has a license – every state requires insurance brokers to have one. Next, ask about the broker’s years of experience and areas of expertise. Preferably, the broker will have experience finding health insurance for freelancers with similar health conditions.
Ask how many companies the broker has access to and how many of those offer health insurance for freelancers. The more companies the broker has the more likely he’ll be able to find the best policy available. It may also be a good idea to see if any complaints have been filed against the broker with the Better Business Bureau. Finally, make sure the broker communicates well, can explain the details of freelancers insurance, and is responsive to calls.
Where to Find a Broker for Individual Health Insurance
Finding a health insurance broker may require some legwork and research but the benefits make it worthwhile.
National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU): This group runs a searchable database which makes finding a broker among their members fairly simple. NAHU represents over 100,000 licensed health insurance agents, brokers and consultants all of whom abide by a strict Code of Ethics which puts the client’s needs first.
Insurance Pages.com: This website lists individual brokers by location and the insurance type they offer (including health insurance). Remember, talking to an individual will create a more personalized experience and requires giving out less personal information upfront.
Referrals: Talk to other self-employed individuals about their health insurance brokers. Friends or freelancers on forums may be able to offer advice or contact information. Quite often, a good broker is found by networking with other freelancers.
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