Realtors have a version of the 1099 problem that's a little different from a typical freelancer's. Income swings with the market and the season, there's no employer standing behind you, and a lot of agents just default to whatever the marketplace shows them at open enrollment — without realizing it's often not their only, or best, option.
The same goes for independent adjusters, insurance agents, financial advisors, and other commission or 1099-based professionals. If nobody is offering you a group plan, here's what actually matters when you're shopping for your own.
Why Realtors Often Overpay
Two things make realtor income tricky for health insurance: it's variable month to month, and on paper it can look higher (or lower) than what actually lands in your pocket after expenses. Marketplace subsidies are based on projected annual income, so a strong year can knock you out of subsidy range entirely — right when you assumed you'd qualify.
The Tax Deduction That's Easy to Miss
If you're a 1099 realtor or independent professional with a net profit for the year, you can generally deduct 100% of your health insurance premiums as a business expense through the Self-Employed Health Insurance Deduction. On a $500/month plan, that's $6,000 a year in deductions — real savings most agents never claim because their agent never mentioned it.
What to Look For
- A fixed, predictable premium — no surprises when your commission income swings
- Low or zero deductible — coverage that works from day one
- National PPO network — useful if you work across state lines or relocate
- Telehealth included — quick access without blocking off a showing day
- No dependency on your brokerage — coverage that's fully portable if you switch firms
How Claich Health Helps
We work with realtors, independent agents, and other 1099 professionals across 30+ states. As an independent agency, we're not tied to one carrier — we compare private and marketplace options side by side so you can see, in plain numbers, which actually costs less for your situation.
See What You'd Actually Pay
Text your age and zip code to 224-384-7345 — takes 2 minutes, no pressure.