Marschac,
I know that it feels thatyou are getting over "the man" and in a sense you are. COBRA is one of those rare situations that you, the employee, can actually make the system work totally in your favor. Your credit will not be affected by enrolling in COBRA and later never sending in the $.
Your research into COBRA has obviously made you a more informed consumer, congratulations.
You actually get 60 days PLUS the additional 45 days to send in the $. Don't send in the election form until day 58 or so. " ...initial payment for COBRA coverage can not be required by the Plan any earlier than 45 days from the date the beneficiary elected COBRA" (from Quick Reference to COBRA Compliance" by sanda and Vigliotta).
So after 58 days, mail in the completed, signed election form. Wait 43 more days and send in the premium for all 3 months if you need the coverage. If you are already covered by the new Plan and have not used the old plan, no $ necessary.
Since all dates may need to be verified when you MAIL the election form, not when they receive it, the post office can give you a "certificate of mailing" for a nominal fee to PROVE when you mailed it. This is all of the legal proof that you need.
You can actually streatch this thing out over 100 days and never pay!!! 8)
Good luck.