If you turned 26 this year, you passed a pretty major milestone. No, it’s not that you’re more than halfway through your 20s — you’re no longer eligible for health insurance under your parents’ plan. That’s right: You’re officially an adult.

But you’re not on your own. If this is the first time you’re navigating the health insurance market, we’re here to guide you through it.

There’s a special kind of health insurance plan just for people under 30 that’s designed to protect you in case of a major accident or illness and covers basic services like annual checkups. Often called “simple,” “basic,” or “catastrophic,” these plans have much lower premiums and high deductibles. Under these plans, you get 3 doctor’s visits per year at no cost and free preventative benefits like vaccinations. And if anything unexpected happens, you’ll be secure knowing you can get the care you need and you’ll only pay up to your deductible.

If you’re still getting your freelance career off the ground, skipping health insurance may seem like the easiest way to save some cash. After all, if you’re in good health now, you can probably skip a few checkups, right? But if this year has taught us anything, it’s that life has a way of changing when you least expect it. Give yourself a little peace of mind and stay insured — you could save a lot more in the long run.

When you buy your health insurance through Freelancers Union, we receive a small commission from the insurance provider, helping us keep the lights on all year round. You pay the same amount, and we get to keep fighting for a more secure future for all freelancers. That’s a win-win.