Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
An interactive tool plus the thinking behind it: how many years of income, what debts, education funding, and existing coverage matter.
The usual approach is to calculate what your income would replace, then subtract what's already covered. It doesn't have to be exact — term coverage comes in round increments, and the goal is a number that supports your household through the years when that matters most.
Coverage estimate
Estimate = earnings × years + outstanding debts + education costs − current coverage, rounded to $5,000. This is a starting point, not a recommendation.
Why those inputs
Income years. Ten to twenty years is standard; it depends on how long dependents need your income. Merced families with young children often lean toward the longer range since childcare, housing, and school bills all peak at once.
Debts. Mortgages are typically the single largest obligation. Insurance proceeds that clear a mortgage give survivors the choice to remain without being forced by financial pressure.
Education. Set aside a rough amount per child in current dollars. It's simpler to include it now than to buy more coverage later.
What you have. Cash reserves you could tap, and employer-provided coverage. Keep in mind that group coverage from your job typically ends when employment does, so many families count only part of it.
Once you have a target, the quote tool lets you see what that amount costs from each carrier for 10 through 30 years. Choosing slightly more coverage is common, since the monthly difference shrinks at younger ages.