Is it cheaper to buy health insurance through an agent or on my own?

An independent agent costs you nothing extra — agent compensation is built into the plan whether or not you use one. The advantage is that a good agent compares private and Marketplace options across carriers and tells you which actually wins for your health and budget, instead of you guessing on a single website.

Can I get Florida health insurance if I'm self-employed or between jobs?

Yes. Self-employed Floridians, 1099 contractors, and people who just lost employer coverage all have options — ACA Marketplace (guaranteed acceptance, possible subsidies) and private PPO plans (often lower cost for healthy applicants, available year-round). Losing a job is a qualifying life event that opens a special enrollment window.

When can I enroll in health insurance in Florida?

ACA Marketplace open enrollment runs roughly November 1 to mid-January in Florida. Outside that window you need a qualifying life event (losing coverage, moving, marriage, a baby) for a Special Enrollment Period. Private medically-underwritten plans can be applied for year-round.

Florida · Free Quote

Florida health insurance quotes — compared side by side, free.

Q: How do I get a health insurance quote in Florida?

You can request a free quote from an independent Florida agent like Fuller Built Insurance, who compares private PPO plans and ACA Marketplace options across multiple carriers in one place. Our quote form takes about two minutes and there's no obligation. You provide basic details (age, location, household, general health) and we return real plan options side by side.

Q: How much does health insurance cost in Florida?

Cost depends on your age, county, household size, income, and the coverage level you choose. ACA Marketplace prices can be lowered a lot by income-based subsidies; unsubsidized, they can be steep. Private PPO plans are medically underwritten, so healthy applicants often get lower premiums with broader nationwide networks. The only way to know your real number is to compare actual quotes for your situation.

Getting a straight answer on health insurance in Florida shouldn't take a week of tab-hopping. As an independent Tampa agency licensed across 31 states, we pull private PPO plans and ACA Marketplace options across multiple carriers and show you which one actually wins for your health and budget. No cost, no obligation — about two minutes.

By Brian Fuller, licensed health & life agent · Fuller Built Insurance, Tampa, FL · ⭐ 5.0 from 174+ Google reviews

Get My Free Quote → Call (813) 599-8726

The short answer

In Florida you have two real paths to coverage: the ACA Marketplace (Healthcare.gov) and private, medically-underwritten PPO plans. There's no single "cheapest" plan — the right one depends on your health, your income, and whether you need to keep specific doctors. The fastest way to know your real number is to compare actual quotes for both, which is exactly what we do for you.

Private PPO vs. ACA Marketplace at a glance

	Private PPO plan	ACA Marketplace
Acceptance	Medically underwritten — can be declined	Guaranteed — everyone accepted
Pre-existing conditions	May be excluded	Always covered
Price for healthy applicants	Often lower, especially unsubsidized	Depends heavily on subsidy
Subsidies	None	Income-based; can be substantial
Network	Often broad, nationwide PPO	Often HMO with local networks
When you can enroll	Year-round	Open enrollment (~Nov–mid-Jan) or a life event
Best for	Healthy, self-employed, want network + year-round	Pre-existing conditions or lower income + subsidy

If you have significant ongoing health conditions or qualify for a large subsidy, the Marketplace is usually your better path — and we'll tell you that plainly. If you're relatively healthy, a private PPO often wins on both price and network. Most people have never had the second option explained to them.

What actually drives your Florida quote

Age and county — rates vary by both across Florida.
Household & income — determines ACA subsidy eligibility.
Health — matters for private underwriting; not for the Marketplace.
Coverage level — deductible, out-of-pocket max, and network breadth.

Who we help in Florida

Self-employed, 1099 contractors, and freelancers
Small business owners and their families
People who just lost employer coverage (COBRA alternatives)
Early retirees and anyone under 65 not yet on Medicare
Individuals and families who simply want a better plan than they have

This page is general information, not medical, tax, or legal advice. Plans and rules change — a short conversation with a licensed agent beats guessing.

See your real options — free.

Tell us a little about yourself and we'll compare private PPO and Marketplace plans across carriers, then tell you plainly which one wins for your situation. Independent, Tampa-based, licensed in 31 states.

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Common questions

How do I get a health insurance quote in Florida? +

Request a free quote from an independent Florida agent who compares private PPO and ACA Marketplace options across multiple carriers at once. Our form takes about two minutes, no obligation — give us basic details and we return real plan options side by side.

How much does health insurance cost in Florida? +

It depends on your age, county, household, income, and coverage level. ACA prices can drop a lot with income-based subsidies; private PPO plans are underwritten, so healthy applicants often get lower premiums with broader networks. Comparing real quotes is the only way to know your number.

Is it cheaper to use an agent or buy on my own? +

An independent agent costs you nothing extra — compensation is built into the plan either way. The benefit is comparing private and Marketplace options across carriers and getting told which actually wins, instead of guessing on one website.

Can I get covered if I'm self-employed or between jobs? +

Yes. Self-employed Floridians, 1099 contractors, and people who lost employer coverage all have options. Losing a job is a qualifying life event that opens a special enrollment window, and private plans can be applied for year-round.

When can I enroll in Florida? +

ACA open enrollment runs roughly November 1 to mid-January in Florida. Outside that, you need a qualifying life event. Private medically-underwritten plans can be applied for year-round.