Contract work or permanent, which would you take?

I got a contract offer for 14 months as a security officer and I am unsure whether to accept. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. The contract could extend. How did you handle benefits?

I took a contract and it converted after four months. The time also kept my skills current.

Buy coverage through the marketplace if the contract has none. I budgeted for it before signing.