Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
Our coverage calculator walks through the logic: how many income years, what debts exist, education costs, and what you already have.
Most people add up their financial obligations and subtract existing coverage. It doesn't have to be a precise calculation—term coverage comes in standard increments anyway, and the goal is a number that would keep your household's finances stable during the years when you need it most.
Coverage estimate
Target amount = (annual income × years needed) + other debts + education costs − existing coverage, rounded to the nearest $5,000. This is a starting point, not financial advice.
Why those inputs
Income years. Most financial advisors recommend coverage spanning 10 to 20 years of earnings, though your situation determines the right choice based on how long your dependents need your financial support. Families raising young children in Lathrop often select longer terms since childcare, housing, and education expenses tend to cluster during the same period.
Debts. Your largest obligation is typically a mortgage. If you carry other significant debts like student loans or business borrowing, those should factor into your coverage decision.
Education. If you have children, estimate education costs in today's money. It's simpler to include a reasonable amount now than to add another policy later.
What you have. Include easily accessible savings and group coverage through work. Group policies typically end when you leave the employer, so many people include only a portion of that benefit in their calculation.
Once you've calculated your target amount, the quote tool lets you see what 10- to 30-year options cost from each participating carrier. Many people find adding a small safety margin is affordable and provides extra confidence.