Just because you move to a paid email provider doesn't mean that provider won't get hacked. In fact, the resources at larger companies like Google could provider better protection.
Perhaps the benefit of being at a paid email provider is that they have a much smaller number of accounts, so they are a less attractive target for hackers.
You're missing the point. Paying for your email means you own your domain and email address, so you have the freedom to move to another provider if the current one proves to be incompetent.
Also, in case you have problems, it's impossible to reach Google's support, unless you're a Google Apps customer. It's also near impossible to reach Yahoo's support too. I know because I've been there. If you don't pay, you don't get any support.
"Better protection" is a fairy tail if you can't talk with somebody in case your email goes missing or in case you suspect you've been hacked.
Perhaps the benefit of being at a paid email provider is that they have a much smaller number of accounts, so they are a less attractive target for hackers.