It’s no secret that we live in an unpredictable and unprecedented time. Unemployment is at an all-time high in many nations, and families struggle to make ends meet. Even if you have a job that seems secure today, there is unfortunately no guarantee that it will be here tomorrow. Knowing this, it’s more important than ever to understand the value of short term health insurance.

The concept of short term insurance is simple. If you are without insurance temporarily (because you are between jobs or for some other reason), you can buy short term coverage to make sure that you and your family are still protected in the event of a medical emergency. So if you lose your job, or you leave your current job for a new one which doesn’t make insurance available to new hires until a probationary period has passed, you don’t need to worry.

Without medical insurance, the cost of a simple doctor’s visit can easily run into the hundreds of dollars. And if you’re without a job, then you certainly don’t have extra money to save on medical expenses. So the small monthly premium you pay for a short term medical insurance policy will be well worth it.

Temporary insurance plans truly are affordable options that keep your budget in mind. For instance, you have the ability to control your own deductible and co-insurance rates, meaning you can set higher deductibles and co-pays to keep your own upfront costs at a minimum. This way you’re really only paying more if you actually use the coverage. And even in that instance you’ll still pay less than you would uninsured.

Another way short term health insurance puts the power of choice in your hands is in its ability to customize the term of coverage to your needs. Are you on a 90 day probationary period at a new job? Are you looking for a new job and finding your search is taking longer than you’d hoped? No problem, as plans can be bought anywhere from 30 days to 360 days. Choose the amount of coverage you need rather than buy too much coverage and waste your money.

Think that because you are buying a temporary plan that your choice of providers will be limited? Think again, because short term health insurance will allow you to choose your own doctors and your own hospitals for your healthcare needs. So you’ll get all the freedom of choice you experienced under your own plan – and maybe even more.

And while a new employer’s probationary period can be frustrating, you’ll find none of that with short term health insurance. Next day approval is often available from many providers, so you and your family can gain immediate coverage. That will certainly offer you peace of mind.

While you focus on getting settled into your new job or finding another one, short term insurance will take away the worry of how your family will get affordable healthcare. With affordable prices, flexible terms, and the ability to choose providers you’re comfortable with, this type of temporary insurance offers a valuable service.