Ways to Keep Health Insurance Premiums Low

As the summer months approach and the holidays right around the corner, it is important to recognize some best practices to help your health, which can lead to lower insurance premiums. During the summer, it is fun to be in the sun and we know the sun has some beneficial effects such as vitamin D but the fear of skin cancer has caused some major concerns about having too much sun exposure.

This is a valid concern because people who regularly have extended stays under the direct rays of the sun tend to have health problems down the road. While being out in the sun is not necessarily going to raise your health insurance premiums, it will end up costing you in the long run if it leads to some of the aforementioned health problems. Therefore, it is best to limit your time in the sun and let your insurer know that you take sun exposure seriously. Depending on whom you insure with, this could even result in a small decrease in your premiums.

There are some other ways to lower your health insurance costs. Here are a two of the best:

Stop Smoking: Regular tobacco use is a nearly certain way to build up long-term health problems. Insurance companies know this, which is why almost all of them ask if you have used tobacco in the past 12 months. If you have, you will pay a significantly higher premium. So, do yourself (and your pocketbook) a favor and give up tobacco of all kinds. If you need help quitting, most insurance companies can point you to the resources you need to get started down the path to becoming tobacco free.

Limit Alcohol Intake: Excessive drinking can hit you in a number of ways; in the end, it can damage your liver and other body parts. In the short run, it can also cause you to do stupid things that may have an adverse impact on your health, such as drive drunk and crash your car. A DUI will not only raise your auto insurance rates; if your health insurance company finds out about it, you will likely pay higher health premiums as well. The best approach is if you are going to drink is to do it responsibly. When it comes to driving, do not get behind the wheel of a vehicle with any amount of alcohol in your system.

So, talk with your insurance agent about what criteria insurance companies require to be considered a healthy individual. This information can then help you make necessary changes towards a more healthy and long life.