Tag Archives: Cost
COBRA Insurance Cost Calculator After Job Loss
Losing a job is a stressful experience, and one of the biggest concerns for many individuals is maintaining health insurance coverage. The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) allows eligible employees to continue their employer-sponsored health insurance for a limited time after job loss. However, COBRA coverage can be expensive, as you are responsible for the full premium plus administrative fees. To help you estimate costs, a COBRA insurance cost calculator can be a valuable tool.
How Does COBRA Work After Job Loss?
COBRA provides temporary continuation of group health benefits (usually 18 months) for employees and their dependents after qualifying events such as job loss, reduced work hours, or other life changes. Key points to remember:
- You must have been enrolled in your employer’s health plan before losing coverage.
- COBRA applies to employers with 20 or more employees.
- You pay 100% of the premium plus a 2% administrative fee.
- Coverage is identical to what you had under your employer.
Why Use a COBRA Cost Calculator?
Since COBRA premiums can be significantly higher than what you paid as an employee (where employers often cover a portion), calculating the exact cost helps in budgeting and decision-making. A COBRA insurance cost calculator estimates:
- Monthly and annual premiums
- Administrative fees
- Total out-of-pocket expenses
- Comparison with alternative insurance options (e.g., Marketplace plans)
How to Calculate COBRA Costs
Follow these steps to estimate your COBRA expenses:
- Check your last pay stub – Identify the total monthly premium (employer + employee share).
- Add 2% for administrative fees – COBRA allows a small markup.
- Multiply by coverage duration – Standard COBRA lasts 18 months (longer in some cases).
- Compare alternatives – Weigh costs against ACA Marketplace plans or spouse/partner coverage.
Example COBRA Cost Calculation
Suppose your employer-sponsored plan cost 0/month (0 paid by employer, 0 by you). Under COBRA:
- Full premium: 0
- + 2% fee:
- Total monthly cost: 2
- 18-month total: ,016
This highlights why many seek cheaper alternatives, such as ACA subsidies.
Where to Find a COBRA Cost Calculator
Several online tools can help estimate COBRA expenses:
- Healthcare.gov – Provides cost comparisons with Marketplace plans.
- Insurance provider websites – Some insurers offer calculators.
- Financial planning tools – Platforms like NerdWallet or eHealthInsurance.
Conclusion
Losing job-based health insurance doesn’t mean losing coverage, but COBRA can be costly. Using a COBRA insurance cost calculator helps you make informed decisions about whether to continue employer coverage or explore alternatives. Evaluate your budget, compare options, and ensure uninterrupted healthcare during transitions.
How To Compare Low Cost Car Insurance In West Virginia
How To Compare Low Cost Car Insurance In West Virginia
Comparing car insurance in West Virginia used to be a time-consuming task that required you to contact every insurance company individually by phone or by mail and hope that they would give you the information you had requested.
Today, thanks to the internet, making price comparisons in order to find low cost car insurance in West Virginia is a relatively simple matter. But before you get online and start making random comparisons you might do well to read this article first so you can learn ways of filling out the forms on those comparison websites so you’ll save the most money possible.
For example, did you know that keeping your car in a garage at night will save you money?
Did you know that keeping a clean driving record, with no speeding tickets or other moving violations will also save you money month after month?
Did you know that using public transportation as often as possible and driving less can also save you money? If you can drive 500 miles or fewer each month you could qualify for a special Low Mileage Discount.
Did you know that buying a simple steering wheel locking device could save you money on your car insurance every month? Ask your agent which simple and inexpensive anti-theft devices will save you the most every month.
Did you know that carpooling can save you a bundle every month on your insurance? If you can cut the number of miles that you drive back and forth to work in rush hour traffic in half every month then you will save a considerable amount on your car insurance.
Did you know that if you retire or stop working for any reason you should let your agent know as that can also save you a bundle every month?
Did you know that young drivers can save a minimum of 5% every month just for staying in school and maintaining a “B” grade average?
Did you know that paying for collision or comprehensive insurance on an old clunker that has little or no Kelly Blue Book value is a waste of your money?
Did you know that if you have towing as part of AAA or through a major credit card that you don’t need to pay for towing on your car insurance?
Did you know that married couples can save money by listing the wife as the primary driver and the husband as the secondary driver?
Did you know that if you don’t make any claims against your insurance company for six months to one year that you can get a break on the cost of your insurance?
Did you know that increasing your deductible can reduce your monthly car insurance payments almost instantly? Just don’t go overboard and increase your deductible past the point which you can actually afford to pay it should you have a claim.
Did you know that you can save money buying your car insurance online? You can. However, don’t get lazy and rely on just one car insurance price comparison website for all of your answers. If you’re really serious about saving money then you’ll want to check out the prices on a minimum of 3 different price comparison sites.
Also, it is very important that you enter the exact same information onto the form on all 3 comparison sites so that you are comparing the same car insurance policy each time.
Once you are done with your comparisons and you’ve reviewed your results, all that’s left is for you to pick the best-priced policy and then sleep well each night knowing that you now know how to compare low cost car insurance in West Virginia and you are now saving money on your car insurance every month.
How To Compare Low Cost Car Insurance In Arkansas
How To Compare Low Cost Car Insurance In Arkansas
If you want to drive a vehicle on any public road in Arkansas then you must buy car insurance. If you don’t, and you’re caught, the penalties are severe and can include the loss of your driving privilege for a considerable length of time.
In fact, Arkansas has a computer program which tracks every single registered vehicle in the state – and if an insurance policy is canceled on any vehicle and not immediately replaced, the state of Arkansas can automatically revoke the vehicle’s registration, making driving that vehicle a major offense.
What this all boils down to is that you must buy car insurance. Which means you need to compare low cost car insurance in Arkansas so that you can find the very best policy for you at a price that you can afford.
Fortunately there are several things you can do to help keep the cost of your insurance affordable.
First is the way you drive your car. If you choose to speed, or you choose to drive while intoxicated or under the influence and you are caught, then you have no one but yourself to blame for the fact that your car insurance rates will have shot through the roof.
By the same token, if you hardly drive your car at all, perhaps just a trip or two to the grocery store, a trip each month to the doctor’s, perhaps a trip to visit a friend, then you may qualify for a Low Mileage Discount. Check with your agent as the details of this discount vary slightly between insurance companies.
Do you drive an older car? Perhaps one with little or no Kelly Blue Book value? If so you are probably wasting your money if you pay for collision or comprehensive insurance since your insurance company will not pay you more than Blue Book value if your car is damaged.
Before you buy a new car check with your agent to see just how much that shiny piece of metal is going to cost you each month. From an insurance standpoint not all cars are created equal; some cost a lot more to insure than others.
Are you under 25 years of age? Then you already know that you’re considered a bad risk and your rates are probably higher than your parent’s rates. If you can, stay in school and maintain at least a 3.0 grade point average. This should qualify you for a 5% to 15% Good Student Discount on your monthly premiums.
Are you an older driver? If you’re at least 55 years old then you may want to talk to your insurance agent about the possibility of taking a special driver’s refresher course. Not all companies offer such a course, but if yours does and you pass, you could save at least 10% on your insurance premium month after month.
How large of a deductible can you afford? Be honest with yourself, because if you have an accident you will have to pay your deductible out of your own pocket before your insurance company will pay anything. The good news is, the more you can afford to pay for repairs – i.e. the higher your deductible – then the less you’ll have to pay each month for your insurance.
Finally it’s time for you to get online and start checking car insurance policies and prices among the various car insurance companies here in Arkansas. Don’t think, however, that you can compare all of the insurance companies on just one site, because you can’t.
If you really want to compare low cost car insurance in Arkansas and make certain that you are getting the best deal possible, then you are going to have to make comparisons on at least 3 different websites.
It’s a lot of work, but the result is that you will keep more money in your pocket each time you make a car insurance payment, and that money just keeps adding up, month after month.
Why Sports Cars Cost More To Insure
Why Sports Cars Cost More To Insure
Have you ever wondered why sports cars cost more to insure than other types of car – even when the purchase price of the sports car is less expensive? If so, the following are the main reasons why this is the case.
Car Insurance Group Categories
While many of the factors that determine the make-up of car insurance quotes are not known, what is known is that insurance companies ‘group’ certain types of cars into categories. For this purposes, insurance companies have groups ranging from 1 through to 20. Group 1 is the least expensive type of car to insure. Group 20 is the most expensive type of car to insure. So, if you buy a Fiat Panda, you’ll be classed a Group 1 car driver. Buy a sports car, any sports car, and you are looking at being classed a Group 15 and above driver. Buy a performance sports car, such as a Porsche 911, and you’ll definitely be Group 20 driver!
Theft
Over 2 million car crimes happen in the UK each and every year. Aside from popular model cars, such a Ford, the biggest car crime category is sports cars! Have a soft-top convertible sports car, and the chances of it being stolen are red hot! So, even if you live out in the countryside with no one else around for miles, you will still be seen as driving an extremely high risk car when it comes to car theft. With increased risk, comes an increased premium!
Accidents
Insurance companies are not charities – they’re in the business to make money. As such, they keep vast amounts of data and part of that data tells them that if you drive a sports car there is an increased risk you’ll be in an accident and that the accident will be more serious (and costly) than if you were driving a regular car. As such, the premium charge is going to be higher.
Under 30?
Unless you have just won the Lottery, if you are under 30 there are no appealing factors when it comes to insuring a sports car. Not only do the insurance company see the car you drive as being a high risk car to insure, but you as the driver are far more risky to insure as well. Consequently, car insurance premiums for those 30 years of age or under, driving sports cars, is probably the highest of all types of car insurance available in the UK today.
How To Compare Low Cost Life Insurance In Tennessee
How To Compare Low Cost Life Insurance In Tennessee
Once you have a few good life insurance leads, it’s time to compare low cost life insurance in Tennessee. You want cheap life insurance quotes, but you also want to purchase these policies from solid, reputable companies.
If you haven’t yet chosen a policy, but have a variety of Tennessee life insurance companies in mind, look for the following:
•Policies offered – You want to choose an insurer that offers a variety of life insurance policies. Not only are these companies dedicated to providing for a multitude of customers, but you’re more likely to find a policy that’s right for you.
•Policy premiums – You’re looking for cheap life insurance quotes in Tennessee, so you obviously have to ask about the various policy premiums.
•Base information – Find out the name of the main life insurance company, the location of the home office, and any affiliations the company has.
•Financial security – Your financial security could depend on the Tennessee life insurance company’s financial security. Check out the life insurer’s financial rating with an independent research company. The insurance industry is a heavily-regulated one, but as you compare low cost life insurance in Tennessee, you may feel safer choosing a company with a high financial rating.
•Customer importance – The Tennessee life insurance leads you’re considering should place customer satisfaction high on their list of importance. Make sure the insurance company is dedicated to providing you with excellent customer service and helpful advice about anything you don’t quite understand or aren’t sure about. You may also want to check the Better Business Bureau about any claims that have been filed regarding the life insurance company in Tennessee. Claims will be filed; it’s inevitable. What you need to pay attention to is the ways in which the claims were handled. Keep in mind this information should also be used as claims relevant to the number of Tennessee life insurance policies sold.
Great Health Insurance Advice That Won’t Cost An Arm And A Leg
Great Health Insurance Advice That Won’t Cost An Arm And A Leg
Health insurance providers are trying to make as much money from you as possible and often, the insurance policies that they offer can be difficult to understand. This article contains numerous tips that will help you to select a suitable insurance provider and purchase a health insurance plan that meets both your financial and medical needs.
Have your health provider bill your insurance company even if you have not yet met your deductible. This will let your insurance know when you have met the deductible and when they can begin paying benefits. Most plans are different, but in most cases office visits, prescriptions and lab tests are counted toward the deductible.
If you are looking for a health insurance plan, you should consult with several health insurance brokers. The reason for this is that there are many plans available to choose from and a broker will be able to provide you with a list of plans specific to your needs. Brokers may also have access to discounted health insurance plans that they can offer you. Consulting multiple brokers can give you access to a wider range of good offers.
Be aware that most cancers are not covered under a basic medical insurance plan – only the pre-screenings may be covered. There are other insurance plans out there that only cover cancer, but they may not be right for you. Determine if you have a higher risk for cancer, high risk would include: smoking, exposure to hazardous chemicals or waste, and age above 40.
It is absolutely necessary to have health insurance these days, because of the expense of modern medical procedures. Finding one that is reliable can be quite difficult. Don’t just go by cost. You should ask around and see which companies other people have had good experiences with because they are likely to know if their claims have been denied before.
To get good health insurance rates when you don’t get insurance through an employer, affiliate yourself with a group. Group rates are the reason the health insurance rates employers offer are often so much lower. If you’re self-employed, try the Freelancers Union. Seek out any options that might be available to make sure you get affordable insurance.
One of the health insurance options that may be offered to you during your employer’s open enrollment season is an HMO. You might want to choose this option if you want to keep costs low and are willing to coordinate your care through a primary care physician. Under an HMO, the number of options you have for choosing a provider may be more limited than under a more flexible plan.
Many people avoid buying health insurance, as it can be very expensive, but this can cause problems in the future if they fall ill. By applying the advice contained in the tips presented in this article when you next need to purchase or renew a health insurance policy, you can find a policy that is affordable and thereby, avoid the most common health insurance pitfalls.