Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
A tool that does the math, plus the thinking behind it: income years, debts, education costs and current protection.
A straightforward approach: add up what your income would cover, then subtract current savings and workplace coverage. Perfect precision isn't necessary—term insurance is purchased in round numbers, and your goal is simply enough to keep your household stable during the critical years ahead.
Coverage estimate
Calculation = income × years + debts + education − existing coverage, rounded to the nearest $5,000. This is a starting point, not personalized guidance.
Why those inputs
Income years. Financial advisors typically recommend 10 to 20 years of income; the right amount depends on how long dependents would need support. Households in Campbell with young children often lean toward the longer timeframe since childcare, housing and school expenses cluster together during those years.
Debts. Mortgages are usually the biggest. When coverage would wipe out these debts, loved ones gain the choice of whether to stay in the family home.
Education. Set aside a per-child amount in today's money. Including it now is easier than adding coverage later.
What you have. Liquid savings you could spend down, and life insurance through an employer. Group coverage frequently disappears when you leave the job, so some people count only half of it.
Once you've settled on an amount, the quote tool shows that figure's cost across 10 to 30 years with each carrier. It's common to buy modestly more than the calculation suggests because the price difference is often minimal when you're younger.