Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
A calculator plus the reasoning: how many income years, what debts, education allowance, and what you already have.
The typical approach: add up income you'd want replaced, then subtract existing resources. It's not exact, and it doesn't need to be—coverage comes in round numbers, and the goal is steadiness for the years that matter.
Coverage estimate
Estimate = (annual income × years needed) + debts + education costs − existing resources, rounded to the nearest $5,000. It's a starting point, not professional advice.
Why those inputs
Income years. Planners typically suggest ten to twenty years; your choice depends on how long dependents need support. Families with young children in Salinas often pick the longer end since childcare, housing and school costs cluster together.
Debts. Most families carry a mortgage as their biggest debt. Coverage large enough to clear it gives survivors the choice to stay or leave, unburdened by cash pressure.
Education. Set aside a rough amount per child in today's dollars. It's easier to include this now than to add another policy later.
What you have. Emergency savings and any group coverage through work. Group coverage typically ends when employment does, so many people only count part of it.
Once you have your number, the quote tool shows what that amount costs for 10 to 30 years with each carrier. Buying slightly more is common since the monthly cost difference is small when you're young.