Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
A tool for calculating your need and the concepts behind it: replacing income through specific years, managing debts, funding education, and accounting for existing coverage.
A straightforward approach: total what your income replaces, then deduct what you already have in place. This doesn't have to be exact—term policies come in round numbers, and your goal is a sum that would keep your family on track during the years that really count.
Coverage estimate
Estimate = (monthly income × number of years) + outstanding debts + education savings − existing protection, then round to nearest $5,000 increment. Use this as your initial reference point, not as professional guidance.
Why those inputs
Income years. Most advisors recommend 10 to 20 years of income replacement; your situation depends on how long dependents need financial support. Households with small kids in Jurupa Valley often pick the longer duration because school, childcare, and housing bills often reach their peak during the same years.
Debts. Your mortgage is usually the big one for most households. Coverage large enough to settle it allows your family to choose their path without financial pressure.
Education. Set aside a modest allowance for each child, calculated in current dollars. It's simpler to address it now than to open a second policy later.
What you have. Cash reserves that could be drawn down, and employer-sponsored life coverage. Employer coverage typically doesn't continue after employment ends, so it's wise to count only a part of it.
Once you determine the figure, the quote tool breaks down what that amount costs across 10 to 30 years for each available carrier. Many people choose to go slightly higher than their estimate, since the added monthly cost is typically modest when you're younger.