Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
Understand the reasoning: earning years, mortgage or debt, anticipated education funding, existing protection, and using the calculator tool.
The typical approach: sum your income obligations, subtract what you already have in place. Perfect precision isn't required—term policies come in set increments, and the goal is steady family finances during critical years.
Coverage estimate
Calculation: income × years needed + obligations + schooling − existing protection, rounded to nearest $5,000. Starting point only, not professional guidance.
Why those inputs
Years of income needed. Most advisors suggest 10 to 20 years; your specific years depend on dependents' support timeline. Orange County families with young children often lean toward the upper range because costs for childcare, housing and schools overlap.
Debts. Mortgages represent the biggest obligation for most households. Adequate coverage eliminates the mortgage burden, letting survivors choose their path without financial pressure.
Schooling. Set aside a reasonable estimate per child in current dollars. Include this upfront rather than buying more insurance later.
What you currently have. Stored money you could access, and employment group coverage. Keep in mind that group plans end when work ends.
Once you've determined your target, the quote tool compares pricing across 10 to 30 year terms from available carriers. It's typical to purchase slightly higher than calculated because monthly costs rise gradually with age.