As unemployment rates rise and companies continue to struggle to meet revenue forecasts, more and more people are feeling less secure about the status of the jobs. For some people, that means moving on to a job they feel offers a more stable future, and for others that can mean eventual unemployment. If you find yourself in either of these groups, you may find short term health insurance to be a valuable option.

Short term health insurance is a simple yet wonderful concept. Rather than going uninsured when you are released from a job or leave you current company for a new one which doesn’t immediately offer coverage to new hires, you can buy a temporary coverage plan that can save you hundreds or even thousands in medical expenses.

If you are used to only paying co-pays through your current insurance program, you may not realize that typical doctor’s visits cost hundreds of dollars before insurance coverage is applied to them. When you’re between jobs, the last thing you need to deal with is the unwelcome expense of medical care, especially given how expensive it is. Short term medical insurance offers a solution to that problem.

Temporary insurance offers a very affordable option for those who are searching for a new job or who are waiting out the probationary period at a new employer. One way to make the plans more affordable is to select a higher co-insurance rate and higher deductible. This will reduce your premium fees, allowing you to further maximize your savings when it’s most important to you.

Another way temporary 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.

Worried that a temporary plan will have major restrictions on where you can get health care from? Short term health insurance plans actually let you choose the doctors and hospitals you’re most comfortable with, rather than limiting you to a predefined provider.

And while a new employer’s probationary period can be frustrating, you’ll find none of that with short term 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.

As you begin a new job or keep searching for one, you don’t need the hassle of wondering how to protect your family’s health if an emergency arises. Temporary insurance offers you low prices, convenient and customizable terms, and great freedom in selecting providers you trust.

Dan Miller often writes about short term insurance.