Prime Insurance Benefits Are They Expensive?

I'm less than a year at Swift. Health insurance for just me and my wife: $147 per week. I read that line on every paycheck stub, and wonder if "Obamacare *" would be any cheaper.

*Don't get political! We all know that O-care is the government plans.

My prices are the family plan, for just you and spouse is a decent amount lower. I don't have the actual price because my pricing packet is at home. It's not unusual for trucking companies to not pay as much into it your first year. You figure a lot of people just get the training to go elsewhere or decide trucking isn't for them. Its a thing of you scratch our back and we'll scratch yours.

Primes will be higher. They say they do it because of the high number of people who leave in the first year. I forget the exact numbers but it will cost you twice as much your first year and then reduce.

Vernon,

The answer to your question as to why so high is right here. Not that I agree with the reason, but that is the answer you are looking for from someone that is currently there and has been informed as to the reason.

Ernie

No disrespect Ernie, but should all newbies be expected to pay that amount at any company they begin with? I have never heard of insurance costing so much on a weekly basis, but then again I am new to the trucking industry. I actually received Primes insurance booklet in my email from a Prime recruiter so I know what the cost is now. Just curious if this is standard for first year drivers no matter what company you are with? At $175 a week, your talking about $9000 a year for insurance.

Now I am not going to lie to you, I am retired military so have never had to buy other insurance (unless I want to). So when I was with Prime I never bought their insurance. I am only repeating what has been presented here by others that are there now and are in a better position to give you up to date info compared to what I knew when I was with them.

Ernie

I'm less than a year at Swift. Health insurance for just me and my wife: $147 per week. I read that line on every paycheck stub, and wonder if "Obamacare *" would be any cheaper.

*Don't get political! We all know that O-care is the government plans.

Might be cheaper, but not by much, and it might not cover as much or not let you use your current doctor when you switch, this is one of the many things that was misleading when it was signed (forced) into law. In my opinion $147 a week is not terrible to be honest especially when I looked up insurance for just me on those websites was nearly $200 a week, and that was what it would cost without an income which is very alarming. I was studying medical insurance stuff, but since this has passed it is a pain understanding all the new information that is not fully fleshed out yet. I would recommend keeping your current insurance, but you should research for yourself and your needs to find the best option.

Primes will be higher. They say they do it because of the high number of people who leave in the first year. I forget the exact numbers but it will cost you twice as much your first year and then reduce.

Vernon,

The answer to your question as to why so high is right here. Not that I agree with the reason, but that is the answer you are looking for from someone that is currently there and has been informed as to the reason.

Ernie

No disrespect Ernie, but should all newbies be expected to pay that amount at any company they begin with? I have never heard of insurance costing so much on a weekly basis, but then again I am new to the trucking industry. I actually received Primes insurance booklet in my email from a Prime recruiter so I know what the cost is now. Just curious if this is standard for first year drivers no matter what company you are with? At $175 a week, your talking about $9000 a year for insurance.

Is it still the same if one trained elsewhere and already has a CDL?

It's the same regardless for company drivers. It goes down significantly after one year.

I chose the high PPo plan for only myself and pay near $100/wk, I did so because I thought at the time I was developing a hernia so thought I might be getting surgery. After my year is up (beginning of next month) I can insure my wife and myself on the low PPO plan for a little over $30/wk.

The other insurances available are pretty reasonable, life insurance is a bit high but then again I do smoke.

Thanks truckers for the responses. Being new to the trucking world I assumed that it would be like other jobs where insurance is just insurance. I didn't take into account the dangers truckers face on a daily where accidents and injury is more common than a typical factory job. Not only are truckers subject to injury caused by themselves, but injury can be caused by others on the road. I also can understand the high cost the first year because as a new driver I would be more of a risk than those who have experience and know what dangers to look for while out on the road. You guys could have just ignored my post after my first response complaining about the cost and even breaking the cost down to a yearly dollar amount. But you didn't. That is why I like this forum. You guys took the time to help me understand and I appreciate that. This is not only the best trucking blog, truckingtruth.com, it is the one of the best blogs on the internet. I will be attending Prime Inc on July 13th to begin my company sponsored training and thanks to this site I am sure I will be well prepared. I will be sure to let all my fellow trainees who don't know about this site to check it out. Again, thanks every one who takes the time to help out us newbies as we begin our new career. Vernon G P.S. I know I will have more questions, and one day I hope to be able to help some newbie who also comes into the forum for some straight forward, honest advise with the calmness and patience you guys have shown me. See at a truck stop along the way.

I'm less than a year at Swift. Health insurance for just me and my wife: $147 per week. I read that line on every paycheck stub, and wonder if "Obamacare *" would be any cheaper.

*Don't get political! We all know that O-care is the government plans.

Unfortunately, you need to get into specifics to compare costs.

My plan with FedEX costs me only $5.00 A MONTH. But I'm single, have a $2K deductible and pay 30% of my medical costs. But for me, it works.

By saying your medical care costs $150 a week and not saying what that buys you, one just cannot compare.