It makes sense for a health insurance broker — who has access to different plans from different companies — to go “shopping for you” when it comes to your (or your family’s) specific health insurance needs.
I say this on my Open Enrollments post.
While I (Vicki Simons) am not an expert on this subject, from a customer’s point of view, if you’re looking for a health insurance broker, I recommend the following specifications:
- The person far surpasses a mere insurance plan enroller during a trucking company’s “open enrollment” period;
- The person is competent to meet your needs (which may or may not correspond to the length of time he/she has been doing this line of work);
- The person understands the “ins and outs” of different health insurance companies and plans, including special enrollment periods;
- The person is not a “captive” agent and is therefore not limited to only those plans that his/her particular company offers;
- The person is willing to look at details like different deductibles, different co-pays, different lifetime maximums, subsidized coverage, etc.;
- The person will help a customer sign up for Policy A rather than Policy B, even though Policy B might provide a larger commission;
- The person may be licensed to write insurance policies for customers in multiple states (realizing, of course, that each state has different licensing requirements and costs to be licensed);
- The person is upfront about the source of his/her income, such as being commission-based and from where those commissions come;
- The person loves to help people and is not in the business simply because of how much money he/she can earn;
- The person truly has time to communicate with you, such as talking on the phone with you when you have a question;
- The person is someone you know, like, trust, and can contact — even by text — after the enrollment period is over; and
- The person is willing to “follow up” with you to make sure that seemingly “little details” are in place, such as, “Have you received your wallet card in the mail?”
Our Experience With Open Enrollment Insurance
I have shared previously that every fall, the regional trucking company for which Mike used to drive had “open enrollment,” a time period when employees could sign up for (or decline) certain “company-offered” benefits such as health insurance, dental insurance, vision care, long-term disability, drug plan, etc.
I shared what happened in 2009 when we went through this annual ritual, including realizing that trucking companies offer employee benefits based on plans:
- that they have pre-selected those from which they want their employees to choose; and
- which may or may not be satisfactory for truckers or their families.
You as the consumer should know that you have choices, especially since you’ll be paying for your benefits.
What if you don’t like the insurance company that your trucking company picks?
What if the pre-selected plans force some customers to pay the same rate as others whose family dynamics are not the same?
Also, if a “benefits counselor” says that the trucking company is offering “the best rates” that are available, realize that that term can be interpreted in different ways — as in, “best rates for whom“?
You need to be satisfied with your health insurance coverage because — again! — you’ll be paying for it.
Enter The Health Insurance Broker Option
Years ago, Mike and I made a change to our health insurance coverage.
Fast forward to early 2024 when our situations changed again.
I reached out to a health insurance broker who took care of signing us up for health insurance.
Our situations changed yet again and later in 2024, I was pleased to be changed to a health insurance plan that better meets my needs.
I am totally satisfied with my health insurance broker and the plan that she helped me to select.
Some truckers might appreciate having the same kind of service that I received, so I am encouraging folks to reach out to my personal health insurance broker to see if she can help you.
Simply request information via this form:
Return from Health Insurance Broker to our Employee Benefits page or our Truck Drivers Money Saving Tips home page.
