Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
An explanation of where your target coverage amount should come from, what to include, and an interactive tool to help you estimate it.
Add up the income your household would have needed over the years to come, subtract any protection you already have in place. The math doesn't have to be exact—term coverage comes in set amounts, and the goal is a figure that would keep your household stable through the years that matter.
Coverage estimate
Your formula: (income × years) + debts + education − what you already have, rounded up to the nearest $5,000. This is a starting estimate, not financial guidance.
Why those inputs
Income years. Most insurance professionals recommend a ten to twenty year window; what's right for your situation depends on how long dependents would require financial help. In Vista, families with young children typically opt for the longer duration given that childcare, housing expenses, and education costs all peak together.
Debts. Your mortgage is probably the biggest one. If your household were to lose your income, a death benefit that covers the mortgage balance gives your family the option to stay in their home if they choose, rather than being forced to sell.
Education. Use a rough per-child amount in today's dollars. Including education funding now in your coverage is simpler than applying for a second policy years later.
What you already have. Count any savings you could set aside and any group coverage through your job. Keep in mind that group coverage usually stops when employment ends, so many people only count a portion of it.
Once you have your target amount in mind, the quote tool will show you pricing across 10 to 30 year terms from multiple carriers. It's often wise to purchase coverage slightly above your estimate because the monthly cost difference is usually modest at younger ages.