If you’re worried about your insurance premiums now, thinking about them 10-20 years down the road might be giving you a heart condition. Which, would also cost you more in the long run. Just saying.
Instead of having to pay thousands for your insurance, consider making healthier lifestyle changes that work with your insurance company to lower your rates in both the short and long term. Living better, feeling better, and saving money? Yes, you honestly can do all of these things.
Not sure where to start? Here are a few of the best ways you can keep more money in your pocket when dealing with your insurance company and also have the added benefit of honestly being healthy.
Save Money with Yearly Check-Ups
Talk with your insurance agent, or glance over your insurance information. Many insurance companies, especially those through work, have incentives for doing an authorized yearly check-up appointment and physical.
If you get the “correct” information checked and share that with your insurance company, you may be able to save anywhere from $5-$35/insurance cycle. Just for doing something that you probably should be doing in the first place!
Plus, you could uncover health problems early on that will save you not only time but a lot of pain and struggle in the long run.
Quit Smoking!
This should be an obvious one, but if you’re struggling with insurance premiums, consider quitting smoking! Insurance companies are allowed to charge upwards of 50% more in premiums for those who smoke versus those who do not, which is a huge jump.
Plus, cigarettes are expensive, and they can cause a lot of damage to your body. Insurance companies sometimes have programs and offer help for those looking to quit, so call your agent or get online to see what options you might have.
The best time to stop smoking was before you took your first cigarette but now is the second-best.
Exercise and Save Thousands
A study done by the American Heart Association determined that on average, people who got the recommended amount of exercise regularly paid $2,500 less in medical costs and insurance premiums than those who did not. That’s a huge amount of money to put back into your pocket.
Vigorous exercise for 20 minutes a day, at least a few times a week, can lower your risk of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, stroke, and more. There is almost no downside to exercising, except it is boring. But work is boring, too, and plenty of people still go to the office every day!
Check with your insurance provider and employer to see if they offer a gym incentive program. More and more companies offer discounted or free gym memberships to encourage people to go regularly. There really is no excuse.
Other Thoughts
Want more?
Drink more water in your everyday life. Cutting back on sugary or sweet beverages will save you money, and your skin, hair, nails, and energy levels will improve. You might even find yourself losing weight – sometimes our body gets signals confused, and when you feel hungry you’re actually thirsty.
Pack a healthy lunch to work instead of eating out all the time. Making sandwiches or salads at home will save you money upfront, and cutting back on greasy or fatty fast food will keep you in better health in the long run.
Pick up mindfulness or meditation, and watch your mental health and clarity improve. Not to mention your productivity at work! Save on doctors’ visits, emotional support, and get more done during your workday to get you closer to a raise.
Mary Newman
Kat Sweet
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