Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
A calculator, plus the logic behind it: income duration, debt payoff, education funds, and what you already own.
Combine what your income would cover with what exists already, then subtract that from total. This math is inexact and doesn't need to be: coverage uses round numbers, and the goal is stability through the critical years.
Coverage estimate
Amount = (income × years) + debts + education − existing coverage, then round to the nearest $5,000. It's a framework, not a guarantee.
Why those inputs
Income years. Advisors typically recommend ten to twenty years; your choice depends on how long dependents would need support. Families in Encinitas with young kids frequently extend toward the upper range since childcare, schooling, and housing expenses converge during those years.
Debts. The mortgage represents the largest debt for most. Enough coverage to pay it off gives survivors options rather than forcing a sale.
Education. Budget per child in today's money. Adding it now is easier than buying another policy later.
What you already have. Include liquid savings and workplace coverage. Since employer coverage ends with employment, many include just part of it.
Once you have a target amount, the quote tool displays the cost from each carrier for 10 to 30-year periods. Overboosting by a bit is routine because premiums are minimal at younger ages.