Do freelancers need disability insurance?

Yes — arguably more than employees do, because you have no employer-paid short-term or long-term disability coverage and no sick leave to fall back on. Your ability to earn is your single biggest asset, and a serious injury or illness that keeps you from working can end income overnight. An individual long-term disability policy replaces a portion of your income — commonly around 60% — if you can't work. Look for an "own-occupation" definition, which pays if you can't do your specific line of work, and check the elimination period (how long before benefits start) and benefit period (how long they last). Premiums depend on age, health, and occupation, but the peace of mind is hard to overstate for a one-person business. Buy it while you're healthy, since pre-existing conditions can raise costs or trigger exclusions later.