Planning ahead for insurance rate hikes? Experts weigh in
Experts say to shop around on the marketplace and plan ahead, like increasing your health savings account and deductibles.
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Get ready to pay more for insurance next year. Home, health - even auto insurance are increasing.
Paul Oster is a business and consumer credit expert.
“It’s going to affect every single person, so it’s not just the Affordable Care Act, it’s not just people in the 30 states, everybody is going to get hit by this,” said Oster.
“Here’s what not to do. Don’t cancel your insurance. Don’t let it lapse; don’t let it get in the way. Still, the No. 1 reason people claim bankruptcy is the loss of insurance and health costs.”
Oster says shop around on the marketplace and plan ahead, like increasing your health savings account and deductibles.
And what about home and auto insurance rates?
“We’ve seen in New Jersey multiple companies just leave and say goodbye to the state,” said Chris San Filippo, a Farmers Insurance agent in Wall Township.
He says less competition means rising costs for us and recommends raising your deductibles because a $500 claim could cost you thousands in the long run.
“Comp and collision on your car if you can raise to $1,000 deductible, even $2,000 deductibles,” said San Filippo.
And shop around, but beware of increases in your six-month renewals.
“One company might have a bump, and the other company might have a bump,” San Filippo said.
“You have to prepare yourself and brace yourself for these increased costs because they’re coming,” said Oster.
