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How much life insurance do I actually need?
Start with your debts, mortgage, and how many years of income your family would need. Subtract savings and coverage you already have. I'll help you run the numbers.
Resources
Learn it before you're sold it.
Short, honest explanations of the parts of life insurance that usually get glossed over.
How work coverage fits in.
Work coverage varies. Amounts, portability, and conversion depend on your plan. Compare your actual benefit with what your family would need.
What underwriting actually looks at
Age, height and weight, tobacco use, prescription history, medical records, driving record, and sometimes a paramedical exam. Being straightforward on the application matters — misstatements can give a carrier grounds to contest a claim.
Naming and updating beneficiaries
Name a primary and a contingent beneficiary, use full legal names, and review after any marriage, divorce, birth, or death. Beneficiary designations override what your will says.
When replacing a policy makes sense
Sometimes: improved health, quitting tobacco, or a badly-fitted original policy. Often not: replacing resets contestability periods and surrender charges. Never cancel existing coverage until the new policy is in force.
Riders worth understanding
Accelerated death benefit, waiver of premium, child riders, and term conversion privileges. Availability, cost, and terms vary by carrier and state, and several are not free.
Coverage explainers
- Indexed Universal LifePermanent life insurance with interest credits linked to an index. Not an investment.
- Term LifeCoverage for a stated number of years. Often the lowest cost per dollar of coverage.
- Whole LifePermanent coverage with cash value, as long as required premiums are paid.
- Final ExpenseSmall permanent policies designed to cover funeral, burial, and end-of-life costs.
The tools and content on this site are educational only. They are not financial, tax, or legal advice and do not constitute a recommendation of any specific policy.