Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
A calculator and the logic behind it: how many years of income to replace, what debts to cover, what schooling might cost, and what you've already set aside.
What you have. Count savings you could spend if needed and group life coverage through an employer. However, group plans usually end when you leave the job, so many people rely only on part of that amount.
Coverage estimate
Estimate = income × years + debts + education − what you already have, rounded to the nearest $5,000. This is a starting point for comparison, not financial advice.
Why those inputs
Income years. Standard practice is 10 to 20 years of income replacement; your right number depends on how long your dependents need financial support. Young families in Newport Beach typically go longer because childcare, schooling, and housing costs are all highest at the same time.
Debts. For most families, the largest debt is the mortgage. If insurance would pay that off, the survivors have the freedom to choose what comes next rather than being forced by money into a particular choice.
Education. Set aside a rough amount per child in today's money. Including it now in your coverage is simpler than adding a second policy later.
Your phrase here is the quick-reference summary: six inputs about your situation and goals. It's no more than what's needed to return carrier quotes.
Once you arrive at a target number, the quote tool will show you how that coverage amount would cost from 10 years to 30 years with each carrier. It's common to buy above your estimate because the monthly cost is low when you're younger.