Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
A tool and explanation of the math: what you'd need to replace from your income, what debts would remain, education costs, and what you already have set aside.
A straightforward approach: sum the years of income your dependents would need, add outstanding debts and education costs, subtract savings and existing coverage. Precision is not the point—coverage comes in round increments anyway—what matters is a number that covers the years your household truly depends on your income.
Coverage estimate
Estimate = years of income needed + outstanding debts + education funds − existing savings and coverage, rounded to $5,000. This is a starting point, not guidance from a financial professional.
Why those inputs
Income years. Most planning guidance suggests ten to twenty years of earnings replacement; the right span depends on your dependents' timeline. Families in Apple Valley with young children frequently go toward the higher end, since childcare, housing and school expenses cluster in those years.
Debts. For most households the mortgage is the largest obligation. If your coverage settles it, survivors can choose their path forward without money pressure forcing the choice.
Education. An approximate amount per child in current dollars. It's simpler to account for it in the initial coverage than to buy an additional policy later.
What you have. Liquid savings, and any group term coverage from an employer. Group coverage typically lapses when employment ends, so many people only count a portion.
Once you have a target, the quote tool will show what each carrier charges for that amount across 10-, 15-, 20-, 25- and 30-year terms. Many people choose slightly higher coverage than the calculated need because the extra premium at younger ages is modest.