Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
A tool and the thinking behind it: income years, debts, education, and what you already carry.
The most common method: add up what your income would cover if you were gone, then subtract what's already in place. It doesn't need to be exact, and it can't be: term coverage is sold in round numbers, and the goal is a figure that keeps your household stable through the years that matter.
Coverage estimate
Estimate = income × years + debts + education − what you already have, rounded to the nearest $5,000. This is a starting point, not guidance.
Why those inputs
Income years. Most planners use ten to twenty years of income; the right span depends on how long your dependents need backing. A family with young children in El Centro often picks a longer term because childcare, housing, and schooling costs cluster together.
Debts. A mortgage is the largest for most households. Coverage that clears it gives survivors the choice to stay without being forced into a cash-flow decision.
Education. A rough allowance per child in today's dollars. It's simpler to include now than to add a second policy later.
What you have. Savings you could tap, and group coverage from your employer. Group coverage typically ends when your job does, so most people count only a portion.
Once you have a target amount, the quote tool shows what that coverage costs for 10 to 30 years from each carrier. Buying a bit more than your estimate is common because the monthly payment difference is small when you're younger.