Guide
How much life insurance do you need?
Use our calculator: input income years, debt amounts, education savings, and what you're already protected by. You'll see your estimate.
Start by totaling what your income replacement would need to cover, then subtract existing savings or group protection. Precise calculations aren't necessary; coverage amounts are rounded to convenient figures, with the goal of keeping your household functional through the critical years.
Coverage estimate
Income × years + debts + education − existing coverage, rounded to $5,000 increments, = your starting estimate. This is a reference point, not a recommendation.
Why those inputs
Income years. Most financial advisors suggest replacing 10 to 20 years of income; your circumstances dictate the right span. In Arcadia, parents with younger children commonly pick the higher range because the years of peak costs—childcare, housing, and education—overlap.
Debt. For most households, a mortgage represents the largest single obligation. A benefit that would pay off that mortgage gives heirs the freedom to stay or relocate rather than having that choice made by financial necessity.
Education. Include a per-child education estimate in current dollars. It's simpler to account for it once rather than buying another policy down the road.
Existing protection. Note your liquid savings and group benefits through your employer. Group plans typically end when employment does, so many families only count a fraction of that amount.
Once you know your target amount, use the quote tool to compare what each carrier charges for that coverage over 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 year periods. Young applicants often find that stepping up from their estimate costs just a few dollars monthly.