Consumer Reports' investigation found that, in comparison to employer offered insurance, individual insurance sucks and it's expensive. Here's the results of their survey, published in the January issue, asking consumers about their experience with both types of insurance.

Individual / Employer
71% / 53% Overall complaints with coverage
55% / 81% Insurance covered most costs
52% / 29% Premium is too high
45% / 31% Postponed needed medical care because of costs
41% / 28% Deductible is too high
26% / 16% Does not adequately cover costs of doctor's visits

Without fail, individual insurance is a much rawer deal than employer insurance, bad news for early-retiring adults, the unemployed, and the self-employed.