Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
A tool and the thinking behind it: years of income replacement, current debts, education savings and what you already own.
Start with what your earnings would have provided for and subtract existing resources. It need not be precise: term policies are issued in standard increments, and the goal is a reasonable figure that covers the critical years.
Coverage estimate
Estimate = (annual income × coverage years) + debts + education reserves − current resources, rounded up to $5,000. This is a rough guide, not financial guidance.
Why those inputs
Income years. Most planners recommend 10 to 20 years depending on when dependents would become independent. In Martinez with young children, many families choose the longer horizon because costs for school, housing and care cluster in those years.
Debts. Outstanding mortgage is typically the largest. Enough coverage to pay it off gives heirs the option to remain in the home without financial pressure.
Education. Set aside a rough per-child amount in current dollars. Including it now avoids the need for a separate policy purchase later.
Current resources. Savings in your name and group life through an employer. Group policies typically terminate with employment, so many households count only a portion.
Once you have a target amount, the quote tool displays what that sum costs monthly for 10 to 30-year terms across all carriers. Many buyers choose slightly more than their calculation suggests; monthly premiums are often modest increases at younger ages.