The growth of flexible working – as a freelancer or flex worker – seems unstoppable in 2025. Earning a living in a way that suits you and your lifestyle has countless advantages. But are you properly insured for the risks that this 'gig economy' entails?
Freelance, platform work or flexi-job?
Are you a freelancer, platform worker or flexi-jobber? In order to assess the advantages and disadvantages of the way you work flexibly, you first need to understand the difference in status:
A freelancer is a self-employed entrepreneur without staff. Unizo adds to its definition that a freelancer mainly works business-to-business and primarily provides services on the basis of temporary contracts, assignments or projects. At the end of 2024, [Flanders had almost 180,000 freelancers and Brussels almost 40,000] (https://www.unizo.be/berichten...), according to Unizo's calculations. In [Wallonia] (https://www.accountable.eu/fr-...), this figure is over 60,000 people. Their number is increasing year on year.
Platform workers earn (part of) their income through online service platforms. Almost [40,000 Belgians] ( https://www.nieuwsblad.be/binn...) declared to the tax authorities in 2024 that they work via Ring Twice or Deliveroo, for example. The income they earned in this way increased by 32% compared to the previous year. As a platform worker, you usually do not have an employment contract. In principle, you are therefore self-employed, although in practice you are often considered an employee in order to protect your rights.
A flexi-jobber has an employment contract with an employer. This status allows you to do (limited) side jobs in addition to your main job or pension.
This article gives you an insight into the risks you take when working as a self-employed person and how you can – and sometimes must – insure yourself against them.
These insurances are essential for freelancers
As a freelancer, your greatest asset is your own ability. But that also makes you vulnerable. One mistake, an accident or a period of illness can jeopardise your entire business. Insuring yourself carefully is therefore an important foundation for a sustainable career.
Central to protecting your freelance business are the three types of insurance that protect you against the most common risks you may encounter as a service provider.
Professional liability insurance (BA Beroep): a safety net for professional errors
This is the most crucial insurance for any freelancer who provides advice, services or intellectual work. 's professional liability insurance covers the financial consequences of mistakes you make in the course of your work. These include incorrect advice, a programming error, a design error, negligence or a mistake. This policy not only covers any compensation you may have to pay to a client, but also the often sky-high costs of your legal defence.
Since the beginning of 2025, not only your clients, but also their customers can hold you liable for damage caused by your mistake. Professional liability insurance is therefore becoming increasingly important and is even mandatory for some professions.
Civil liability (BA Uitbating): protected against physical mistakes
Civil liability insurance for business operations, or BA Uitbating for short, focuses on physical damage you cause while you are at work. Specifically, this concerns tangible, material damage or physical injury that does not result from a professional error, but from an accident in the workplace. For example, you spill a sticky drink on your customer's laptop, or someone breaks their arm after tripping over one of your cables.
Guaranteed income insurance: your personal social security
An important downside to the freedom you have as a freelancer? You enjoy much less social protection than an employee. If you are unable to work due to illness or an accident, you will fall back on a limited benefit from the health insurance fund. For most self-employed people, this is far from sufficient to cover fixed costs such as a mortgage or rent.
We therefore recommend that freelancers take out guaranteed income insurance to supplement their basic social security. This insurance fills the gap left by the health insurance fund's benefits, allowing you to maintain your standard of living and meet your financial obligations.
Flexible work and security: an impossible combination?
As a freelancer, you have less security than an employee, but with the right insurance, you can come pretty close. In addition to the essential insurance policies discussed above, consider these options:
The Voluntary Supplementary Pension for the Self-Employed (VAPZ) is a tax-efficient way to build up extra pension capital on top of your statutory pension.
's legal assistance insurance covers the costs of a solicitor and legal proceedings in the event of legal disputes. Examples include a dispute over an unpaid invoice, a conflict with a supplier or a breach of contract.
hospitalisation insurance covers the high costs of hospitalisation when these are not reimbursed by the health insurance fund.
cyber insurance protects you if you lose (customer) data, are hacked or are blackmailed online.
Well insured entrepreneurship in the gig economy?
As a freelancer in today's gig economy, you enjoy a lot of freedom, but that comes with the responsibility of building your own safety net. The right insurance for your risks as an entrepreneur is a necessary investment in your career. So check today whether all your contracts are watertight and evaluate whether you have the right insurance.
Or come and discuss it with us, we are happy to help.
