I agree with Nick, although I'm in IL. As the owner I was not eligible for WC. In theory, in IL, if you hire an employee or non-incorporated "Independent Contractor", you're suppose to have a WC policy. A cheap one starts at around $1200 a year. I had only one client, a national crewing service, who required I have a WC policy. When they stopped using me I dropped it. When all things are equal it is safer to hire an incorporated freelancer.
As to disability, I had a policy with the US's largest writer of that. However, when my BIL was severely injured and tried to collect from that company they told him to "Sue us". Little did they know he had the money and fortitude to do it! They do a push back based on your zip code if you don't want to settle for peanuts. Many people figured they are covered but the test is when you want to collect and it's a serious case. If you Google the name of the carrier and reviews you will see that disability is such a squishy diagnosis that, unlike SS or the state, the independent insurers will do all they can to screw you. So, I dropped mine.
When I add up all I pay for all the various insurances I pay I want to cry. It's not noticeable when business is booming but when you're slow you realize it's a waste of money, when you see how little they want to pay on a claim. As you can tell, I have fought a few insurance companies for what they were suppose to rightfully pay in the first place.
However, the next puppy we get we will get the vet insurance!
Ned Miller
Chicago Videographer
http://www.nedmiller.com
www,bizvideo.com