Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
A simple tool that walks through four key numbers: how many years of income you'd replace, your debts, education expenses, and what you already have saved or covered.
Start by totaling the years of income you'd want replaced and subtract anything already covered. Don't overthink it—term insurance is sold in round amounts anyway. The objective is enough to keep your household stable through the years when everyone depends on that income.
Coverage estimate
Simple math: (income × years) + debts + education costs − your existing savings and coverage = a rough starting point. Round to the nearest $50,000. This is just a guideline, not personalized advice.
Why those inputs
Years of income. Planners typically use 10 to 20 years as the window; the right number depends on how long those relying on you need support. Households in Pleasant Hill with young kids generally opt for 20 to 30 years because housing, childcare, and education happen together.
Outstanding debts. For most households, a mortgage represents the largest debt. If term insurance would pay off that mortgage, survivors can choose to stay in the home without financial pressure to sell.
Schooling costs. Budget a reasonable amount per child in today's money. Factoring it in now is simpler than buying extra insurance down the road.
Current protection. Savings you could tap for emergencies, plus any group coverage from your job. Group policies typically end if employment ends, so it's wise to count a portion or none of it.
Once you've calculated your target amount, use the quote tool to see what each carrier charges for that coverage across 10 to 30-year terms. Many people choose coverage slightly above their estimate since premiums are affordable early in life.