In order to purchase domestic partner insurance, a domestic partnership must first be legally established. In America, various state laws have been changed to accommodate the rights of domestic partners and many employers also offer domestic partner benefits. Speak to your employer about what may be available to you and your partner. Several insurance companies also directly offer insurance benefits for a domestic partner. If benefits are not offered through your employer or if you are self-employed, begin your quest to purchase domestic partner insurance by investigating several of these.
Once you have identified where you can access domestic partner insurance, you must be diligent in researching your options in order to be sure you are making a good investment. While researching, you and your partner should be clear about the precise type of insurance you need. Insurance plans include those for low-income couples, those where one or both spouses are in college and those that provide coverage while you are unemployed. When seeking health insurance for a domestic partner, in particular, also consider what type of insurance you and your partner’s primary doctor will accept.
When selecting domestic partner insurance, it is also important that you are aware of state and federal tax laws and how they will affect you. If you live in the United States, read all of the information pertaining to domestic partner insurance on the Internal Revenue Service’s website and also review your state laws for information on state taxation of these benefits. Educating yourself on these issues is a very important step in the overall process of purchasing and understanding domestic partner insurance.
When purchasing domestic partner insurance, it may be a good idea to look beyond mere health insurance. If you own a home or have separate cars, take a look at the policies insuring these possessions and find out if changes can or need to be made for you and your partner’s benefit. You may also want to consult with a financial adviser for advice on how to best secure your assets as domestic partners. A good adviser will be familiar with the legalities of your partnership and can even offer you tips on researching insurance options. Ultimately, the best way to get domestic partner insurance is to know what you want, what you need and to be willing to compare several options until you find the insurance that best suits your needs individually and as a couple.
