Family health insurance premiums in California and Santa Monica went up to 52 percent between 2003 and 2010 and now exceed 20 $ of income, this is one more reason to shop in 2012 for affordable health insurance in Santa Monica.

In 2003, the average health insurance premium in California was $ 9091, which was slightly lower than the national average of $ 9249 . By 2010, those premiums jumped to $13,819 in California, which is close to  the national average of $ 13,871. Between 2003 and 2010 the family health insurance have risen approx. 50 % , while the family  incomes rose on a much lower level.

The state-by-state analysis by the Commonhealth Fund, predict if insurance premiums keep rising at the current rate the average family premium will be by 2020 almost $ 24000 , a 72 % increase.

The biggest problem is that health insurance premium increases are outpacing family income. Whereas in 2003, health premiums in California amounted to 14.9 % of income now in 2010 health premium exceed 20 percent of the median income. Health Insurance Premiums outpace income in virtually every state.

As a health insurance agent I can only recommend to shop the health insurance market every year, and see if there are new plans with possible lower premiums in the market. The health care reform has given us free preventive care, which might help to move in higher deductible health insurance plan.

So start you shopping  now for affordable health insurance for 2012 in Santa Monica by contacting  Solid Health Insurance Services.