Supplemental health insurance can provide critical financial protection by covering costs that regular health plans don’t. With the right supplemental coverage, you can avoid large out-of-pocket bills if you get injured or have a serious illness. But finding the optimal supplemental insurance policy and agency in Gilbert, AZ takes research. This guide will walk you through the key factors in choosing supplemental insurance and spotlight the top-rated supplemental insurance agencies in the Gilbert area.
What is Supplemental Health Insurance?
Supplemental health insurance provides additional coverage beyond your major medical or group health insurance plan. It can pay for expenses your primary insurer doesn’t cover or provide extra cash benefits for hospital stays, accidents, critical illness, and more.
Common supplemental insurance options include:
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Accident insurance – Covers costs related to unexpected injuries, like emergency treatment, hospital stays, or transportation.
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Hospital indemnity insurance – Provides a cash benefit during hospitalization to help pay co-pays, deductibles, and other bills.
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Critical illness insurance – Pays a lump sum upon diagnosis of a major condition like cancer, stroke, or heart attack. The cash can be used for treatment, bills, or however you want.
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Cancer insurance – Helps cover cancer-related copays, deductibles, experimental treatments, transportation, and lost wages.
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Disability income insurance – Replaces a percentage of your income if injury or illness prevents you from working.
While not everyone needs supplemental coverage, it can provide financial peace of mind if you want protection beyond basic policies.
What to Look for in a Gilbert Supplemental Insurance Agency
With an abundance of insurance agencies in Gilbert, it takes effort to identify the best ones for supplemental insurance. Here are key factors to evaluate:
Strong Industry Credentials
Look for longstanding agencies and agents with excellent Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings and many years of experience specifically selling supplemental policies. Avoid brand new agencies with no track record. Reputable agents will hold industry designations like Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) or Certified Financial Planner (CFP) which require extensive training, ethics standards, and continuing education on financial products.
Range of Highly-Rated Carriers
The best agencies work with multiple supplemental insurance carriers like Aflac, Allstate, and Transamerica. This allows you to compare plans between reputable national companies. Agencies that only represent one carrier may not provide truly unbiased advice to meet your needs. Verify the financial strength of any insurance company by checking their rating from AM Best or Standard and Poor’s.
Custom Quotes and Guidance
Quality agencies take time to understand your current coverage, health conditions, family medical history, budget, and specific insurance goals. They use this information to provide quotes from suitable supplemental plans across various carriers. Expect personalized guidance in selecting the optimal supplemental products and coverage amounts. Beware of agencies that don’t ask detailed questions or only pitch one cookie-cutter solution.
Strong Local Reputation
Visit agency websites to read customer reviews and testimonials. Also check BBB profiles for any complaints. Favorable feedback and ratings reflect an agency’s integrity, responsiveness, and satisfaction delivering on promised coverage. Local friends or medical professionals may also provide referrals to reputable Gilbert supplemental insurance agencies they’ve used successfully.
Top-Rated Supplemental Insurance Agencies in Gilbert, AZ
Based on the above criteria, here are five top-performing supplemental insurance agencies in the Gilbert area to consider:
1. SurePlan Financial
With an A+ BBB rating and 5-star Google rating, SurePlan Financial is a leading family-owned agency providing supplemental insurance in Gilbert. Their licensed agents represent over 15 highly-rated national carriers to find the right fit. They offer very personalized service, education, and competitive quotes on policies like hospital indemnity, critical illness, cancer, dental, and more.
2. San Marcos Insurance Group
San Marcos Insurance Group has served Gilbert since 2010 with an A+ BBB rating. Their five agency partners have 12+ years of individual experience working with major supplemental carriers like Aflac, Allstate, and Mutual of Omaha. They are very responsive in providing customized supplemental insurance guidance for accident, hospital, and critical illness scenarios.
3. Alpha & Omega Financial Group
Operating locally since the 1990s, Alpha & Omega Financial Group holds an impeccable A+ rating with the BBB. They are endorsed by Dave Ramsey and offer a broad menu of top carriers for supplemental health products. Knowledgeable agents carefully evaluate clients’ existing coverage to identify potential gaps and provide spot-on supplemental solutions.
4. Life Quotes Direct
With deep roots in Arizona insurance since the 1990s, Life Quotes Direct supplies the Gilbert area with individual and supplemental health options from prominent insurers. An independent agency, they aren’t tied to any single provider. Their experience with major medical, Medicare, and supplemental plans means they can assemble the right total insurance package.
5. Wah Financial Services Insurance Agency
Wah Financial Services holds an exceptional 5-star rating on Google reviews. The founder’s 20+ years as an engineer bring meticulous attention to detail in selecting supplemental products for illness, hospital stays, and accidents. They partner with highly-rated insurers to match Gilbert clients with plans suiting their budget and lifestyle.
Key Considerations Choosing Supplemental Insurance
When working with a top agency, think through these factors when selecting supplemental insurance:
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Your current coverage gaps – Review what out-of-pocket costs are not covered by your existing major medical or group health insurance. Then choose supplemental plans addressing those gaps.
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Benefit amounts – Policies with $100/day hospital benefits provide less coverage than $200/day plans, for example. But higher coverage amounts also increase premiums. Find the optimal balance for your finances.
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Deductibles – Just like major medical insurance, many supplemental policies have annual deductibles you must meet before coverage kicks in. Choose a deductible you can afford each year.
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Premium modes – Paying premiums monthly costs more long-term than quarterly or annual payments. Consider your budget constraints.
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Health history – Be thorough disclosing any prior or current medical conditions, which may dictate what supplemental coverage you qualify for and its cost.
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Free look period – Most supplemental policies offer a 10-30 day free look period after purchase where you can cancel and get a full refund if unsatisfied.
Is Supplemental Insurance Right for You?
Supplemental health insurance isn’t right for everyone. It makes the most sense if:
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You want extra protection from high medical bills not fully covered by your primary insurance.
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You have a health condition likely to incur significant out-of-pocket expenses for treatment.
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You have a high-deductible health plan.
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You are self-employed or have limited employer health benefits.
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You are concerned about covering household bills if faced with lost income due to illness/injury.
Talk with a qualified Gilbert supplemental insurance agency to determine if additional medical coverage aligns with your risks, budget, and peace of mind. Reputable agents will be transparent about the value of different products given your circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Finding the optimal supplemental health insurance requires an understanding of your existing coverage and risk tolerance mixed with expert guidance on available options. Partnering with a highly-regarded Gilbert supplemental insurance agency staffed by licensed, knowledgeable agents ensures you can make an informed decision. Protect yourself and your family with coverage catered to your unique healthcare and financial needs.