---
title: Life Insurance for Self employed and 1099 workers
url: https://coverfolk.com/jobs/self-employed
updated: 2026-10-08
---

# Life insurance for self employed and 1099 workers

Millions of people work for themselves. BLS counts about 8.6 million self employed workers outside farming, not counting those with incorporated businesses.

[Find my coverage gap](/jobs/self-employed/calculator)

Updated October 8, 20263 sources[Fact checked](/editorial-standards)

**8.6 million**About 8.6 million self employed workers in unincorporated businesses at work outside farming (8,630,000) (2024)[Source: BLS CPS 2024: Persons at work in nonagricultural industries by class of worker](https://www.bls.gov/cps/data/aa2024/cpsaat21.htm)

[### self employed coverage calculator

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What workers comp, work plans and Social Security pay, and what they don't.

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## Why it matters

When you work for yourself or get a 1099, there is no work life plan. BLS benefit counts leave out the self employed.

Your income may go up and down. Life insurance can help your family pay the bills if you die. A plan you own stays with you no matter who you work for.

* BLS benefit counts leave out the self employed. If you work for yourself, any life insurance is up to you.
* A basic work plan often pays one or two times your yearly pay. 1099 workers do not get this kind of plan from a client.

## What an insurer may ask you

Have these ready. Being honest up front gets you a real price and avoids problems at claim time.

* What work you do
* How you prove income, like tax returns or 1099 forms
* How steady your income is
* Any business debts
* Your age, health, and tobacco use

## Common questions

Do 1099 workers get life insurance?

Not from the company that pays you. You have to buy your own plan.

How do I prove my income?

Insurers may ask for tax returns or 1099 forms, especially for large policies.

Does my job type matter?

It can. A risky job may cost more. An office job may not change your price.

Can I get coverage if my income goes up and down?

Yes. Insurers look at your income over time.

## Coverage people in this job pick

[**Term life: The most coverage for the least money, for 10 to 30 years.**](/coverage/term-life)[**Mortgage protection: Life insurance sized to your home loan, so the house stays paid.**](/coverage/mortgage-protection)[**Final expense: Small whole life plans that pay for a funeral and last bills.**](/coverage/final-expense)[**Does my job change what I pay for life insurance?**](/answers/does-my-job-affect-life-insurance)[**Is the life insurance from my job enough?**](/answers/work-life-insurance-enough)[**How much life insurance do I need?**](/answers/how-much-life-insurance-do-i-need)

## Sources

1. [BLS CPS 2024: Persons at work in nonagricultural industries by class of worker](https://www.bls.gov/cps/data/aa2024/cpsaat21.htm)
2. [BLS: Employee Benefits in the United States, March 2026](https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ebs2.htm)
3. [Texas Department of Insurance: Life insurance guide](https://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/consumer/cb018.html)

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