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If you’re like most independent workers, you want to maximize your time and your money — and that applies to finding the right benefits too. Who wants to spend time trying to find great affordable coverage when you could be hustling or enjoying some down time?
As an independent or gig worker, you have a lot of options for affordable, accessible benefits, including healthcare coverage. If you’re not sure which benefits you need or how to quickly find the right plan for your needs, check out these six types of benefits that your fellow independents are buying.
1. Health insurance
Choosing your benefits can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Getting health insurance coverage is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health and financial wellbeing. Since the passing of the Affordable Care Act, everyone, including independent workers, is entitled to the same basic benefits under any health insurance plan.
- Ambulatory patient services
- Emergency services
- Hospitalization
- Laboratory services
- Mental health and addiction services
- Pregnancy, maternity and newborn care
- Pediatric services
- Prescription drugs
- Preventative care
- Rehabilitative and habilitative care and devices.
Finding the right health insurance plan that fits your needs can help you avoid high out-of-pocket costs for preventative care, walk-in care, and even emergency room visits. Resources like Stride can help you browse options, identify potential savings and pick the plan that’s right for your lifestyle, at the lowest cost.
Health insurance can have the most impact on your physical, mental and financial well-being, making it one of the most valuable benefits for independent workers.
2. Dental insurance
Keeping your teeth in good shape can have a huge impact on your health — and your wallet. Standard health insurance options generally don’t include dental, so if you want this insurance coverage, you’ll probably need to purchase it separately.
Without insurance, dental care can be expensive. The average teeth cleaning can cost up to $200, and some oral surgery procedures can cost well into the tens of thousands and above. Adding a dental plan makes these out-of-pocket costs more manageable, and knowing the costs associated with your plan helps with budgeting.
There are several affordable plan options out there so you can choose the one that fits you and your family.
3. Vision insurance
If you or members of your family require vision correction or specialist vision care, it’s wise to investigate the options regarding available vision insurance coverage. Participating in a vision plan can save you money and help you estimate your out-of-pocket costs for annual eye doctor visits, contacts, glasses, and specialty care.
4. Life Insurance
If you have a family or children who rely on your income, life insurance is a great way to look after them in the event of your death. With life insurance in place, your loved ones would receive a one-time payout to help with things like your funeral expenses, household bills, and lost income. Plans range in payout options, and costs usually depend on your age, health status, and the amount of insurance payout secured.
Many member organizations, credit unions, alumni groups, chambers of commerce and professional associations offer life insurance policies. There are also online options that make applying for life insurance coverage even simpler. Companies like Stride can help you apply for life insurance in about five minutes.
5. Accident insurance
Accident insurance (not to be confused with collision coverage for car insurance) helps pay for unexpected out-of-pocket expenses as they relate to an accidental injury. If you work as a delivery or rideshare driver, your job comes with inherent risk of a car accident, so accident insurance might be particularly important for you. The same goes for those who have physical jobs, such as contractors and restaurant servers.
6. Disability insurance
Disability insurance helps bridge the gap in lost income if you cannot work your usual job because of an illness or injury. These insurance plans pay a set amount of money for a period of time in order to replace a portion of lost income until you can work again.
If you don’t have a large emergency savings fund and worry about how you’d pay your bills if you suddenly couldn’t work, consider getting disability insurance.
How to get these and other benefits as a Gig Worker
Benefits with a variety of plan options are available to independent workers. Stride can help you get guidance on selecting the best plan for your needs and budget and shop a variety of plan options.
Remember, securing benefits, such as health insurance, can help you plan your financial future and give you peace of mind.
