Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
A tool plus explanation: the years your income is needed, outstanding obligations, education funding, and existing protections.
The standard approach is to total what your income supports and deduct existing protections. This approach is not exact, and it should not be: customers buy term coverage in round figures, with the goal being an amount that sustains the family through the critical years.
Coverage estimate
Amount = income × years + outstanding debts + education costs − current protections, rounded to the nearest $5,000. Use this as your baseline, not as final guidance.
Why those inputs
Income years. Advisors commonly suggest 10 to 20 years; your choice depends on the duration your loved ones require financial support. Carson families with young children regularly prefer the longer timeframe because childcare, rent, and school fees combine during those years.
Debts. A home loan is typically the biggest debt. Coverage large enough to pay it off gives your family the option to remain in the home without financial pressure.
Education. Set aside an approximate amount per child using current dollars. It is far simpler to account for this now than to purchase supplemental coverage down the road.
What you have. Liquid savings available for use, plus employer-provided group insurance. Since group policies typically end when employment does, most people include only a fraction of that benefit.
Once you have a figure, the quote comparison displays the cost for 10-, 15-, 20-, 25-, and 30-year terms across all carriers. Many customers select coverage above their initial estimate because the extra monthly cost is minimal when you're young.