As a freelancer, it can be challenging to predict your monthly income. While there are many advantages to being a freelancer - including flexibility in your schedule - there are also many downsides. One of the biggest downsides is that you don’t have an employer who provides benefits like health insurance. As a freelancer, it’s up to you to protect your health and wealth. Here are some tips on how to do just that.

Health Insurance 💊

As a freelancer, you don’t have the luxury of getting health insurance through your employer. That doesn’t mean, though, that you can’t get health insurance at all. In fact, there are many health insurance options available to freelancers.

Health Insurance Marketplace

One option is to purchase health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace. This is a website operated by the federal government that allows you to compare and purchase health insurance plans. Depending on your income, you may qualify for tax credits to help you pay for your health insurance.

The Health Insurance Marketplace website on a computer screen

Freelancers Union

Another option is to join the Freelancers Union. This is a nonprofit organization that provides a variety of benefits to freelancers, including health insurance. To be eligible for health insurance through the Freelancers Union, you need to be a member.

The Freelancers Union logo

Private Insurance

Finally, you could purchase health insurance on your own from a private insurance company. This can be more expensive than purchasing through the Marketplace or the Freelancers Union, but it may be the best option for you if you have specific health needs.

A person holding a health insurance card

Disability Insurance 🚑

As a freelancer, your ability to work is your biggest asset. If you become disabled and can no longer work, you’ll lose a significant portion of your income. That’s where disability insurance comes in.

Short-Term Disability Insurance

Short-term disability insurance provides an income for a short period of time - typically three to six months. This can give you time to recover from an illness or injury without worrying about your income.

Long-Term Disability Insurance

Long-term disability insurance provides an income for a longer period of time - typically until retirement age. This is important if you have a long-term or permanent disability that prevents you from working.

A person using a wheelchair

Liability Insurance 🔍

As a freelancer, you’re vulnerable to lawsuits if a client thinks you’ve done something wrong. Even if you did everything right, you could still end up being sued. Liability insurance can protect you from these lawsuits.

General Liability Insurance

General liability insurance protects you from lawsuits that arise from bodily injury, property damage, or advertising injury. This is important if you work at a client’s location or if you have employees.

Professional Liability Insurance

Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, protects you from lawsuits that arise from mistakes or omissions in your work. This is important if you provide professional services like accounting or legal advice.

A person holding a magnifying glass to examine a document

Conclusion 🎉

As a freelancer, it’s up to you to protect your health and wealth. That means getting health insurance, disability insurance, and liability insurance. While it can be overwhelming to figure out what you need and how to get it, there are many resources available to freelancers.

A person sitting at a desk with a laptop and looking happily at the screen