Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
A calculator plus the framework behind it: how many years of income to replace, how to handle debts, the cost of education, and what you already have set aside.
The most direct approach is to total what your income would have covered and subtract what's already in place. Precision doesn't matter much here—term policies are sold in round dollar amounts—and the goal is just a number that would keep your household stable through the critical years.
Coverage estimate
Estimate = income × years of replacement + debts + education − existing resources, rounded to the nearest $5,000. Use this as a starting point, not definitive advice.
Why those inputs
Duration of income support. Financial planners typically suggest 10 to 20 years as the income replacement window; your choice depends on how many years your dependents will require financial support. Families with young children in Antioch often select the longer durations since childcare, housing, and education costs all concentrate in the same years.
Outstanding debts. A home loan represents the biggest debt for most households. If coverage equals the mortgage balance, your family can choose to stay or relocate without being forced by cash constraints.
Education funding. Budget a rough amount per child in today's dollars. It's easier to include it in your initial policy than to buy additional coverage later.
Current resources. Money in savings, accounts, or investments that could be spent. Also include employer-provided coverage, though keep in mind that workplace group insurance typically ends when employment ends.
Once you have a target amount in mind, use the quote tool to see what that amount costs across 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 year terms from each carrier. Many people buy slightly more than their estimate because monthly premiums stay reasonable at younger ages.