According to HD Fleet, the average cost of a truck accident with one injured driver is $148,279. The cost can reach up to $7 million when it involves a fatality. Over the road and long-haul truck drivers are prone to accidents, leading to severe injuries. As a result, truck drivers end up in emergency rooms.
Likewise, when truck drivers don’t have a health insurance plan, they pay out-of-pocket expenses that can stabilize their financial position and break the bank. That’s why health insurance for truck and long-hauler drivers is essential to get proper care in case of accidents or chronic health conditions. Read on!
Why Health Insurance for Truck Drivers Is Essential
Long-haul truck drivers are at high risk of poor health outcomes. Truck drivers experience substantial challenges accessing healthcare services, but they also end up paying unexpected and increased medical costs.
Research shows that over the road and long-hauler are more vulnerable to developing severe health conditions due to the nature of their job that makes health insurance for truck drivers an essential need. These include:
- Hypertension
- Insomnia
- Sleep apnea
- Spinal disorders
- Headaches and migraines
- Stress and depression
- Arthritis
- Sinus problems
- Lung diseases
The same research report highlights that prevalence of obesity in the average American worker is 31%, whereas it is 70% among long-haul truck drivers. Similarly, the prevalence of cigarette smoking leading to chronic health conditions in average American worker and truck driver is 19% and 51%, respectively.
In addition, the prevalence of diabetes in truck drivers is 14% compared to 7% of the average American worker. The report shows that 17% of American workers don’t have a health insurance plan. On the other hand, over the road and long-haul drivers are the most underprivileged when it comes to health insurance because 38% of drivers lack a proper coverage plan.
Due to the health risk over the road and long-haul truck driver experience, every truck driver needs health insurance. Unfortunately, most drivers don’t have insurance to cover their health costs or their families’ medical expenses.
Some trucking companies provide their drivers with health insurance, but it does not cover a wide range of medical conditions in most cases. Moreover, the hidden costs of a truck accident can lead to ten times more revenue loss than the regular expenses. Here are a few reasons why over-the-road and long-haul truck drivers need good health insurance. Continue reading!
Fight Chronic Diseases Prevalent in Truckers
Lifestyle diseases are increasing, especially among truck drivers. Health conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, lung problems, and hypertension, are more prevalent among truck drivers than other workers in the U.S.
The most common factors contributing to these conditions are the truck’s driver nature of job, sedentary lifestyle, stress, unhealthy dietary regimens, and pollution. As a truck driver, you can implement preventive measures to help fight diseases; an unfortunate road accident is challenging to cope with financially.
Therefore, choosing and purchasing a good health insurance plan is crucial to cover regular medical expenses and manage your costs after an unfortunate incident, such as a truck accident. That way, you will have peace of mind knowing that you have good health coverage.
Counter Inadequate Insurance Coverage
Although some trucking companies offer their employees health insurance, it sometimes does not protect them against chronic and fatal diseases. The chances are that the health plan provided by your employer does not go beyond basic coverage.
So, suppose the current health insurance policy provided by your employer does not cover you against possible threats, such as road accidents or chronic diseases. In that case, it could prove inadequate in times of need. That’s why we recommend choosing a comprehensive plan to cover yourself during challenging times.
A Proactive Approach to Confront Medical Inflation
Choosing a suitable insurance plan is essential for over the road and long-haul truck drivers because the cost of treatment increases every day. As a truck driver, you need to understand that health costs are not limited to hospitals only, but are also associated with physician’s consultation, diagnostic procedures, ambulance charges, emergency room treatment, operation theatre costs, room rent, and medications.
Because these costs can put a substantial strain on your savings account, it is wise to act proactively and follow a preventative approach to cover yourself by purchasing a suitable health insurance policy. When you pay an affordable premium each year, you can overcome the challenges of medical inflation. At the same time, you can seek quality treatment without worrying about the expenses.
Final Words
Over the road and long-haul truck drivers are more prone to develop a wide range of health conditions due to their working environment. For instance, if a health condition affects your ability to drive a truck, it may end up in your driving license cancellation.
Because long-haul truck drivers are more likely to smoke and are vulnerable to obesity and other conditions compared to other workers in the U.S, it is crucial to apply for good health insurance on time to cover themselves during tough times.
As a long-haul driver, we believe you play a vital role in boosting the American economy. We believe America will stop without trucks because you transport goods to consumers and keep the country running.
Your health and wellbeing are directly proportional to the improved transportation system in the U.S. Not having health insurance can lead to numerous complications, affecting your health in the event of accident or hospitalization and destabilizing your finances.
This is why health insurance for truck drivers and long haulers is essential and why, as a trucker, you need an insurance plan that best suits your needs and comes within your budget. That way, you can protect yourself from unexpected and high medical costs. Until Next Time!