How much life insurance might your family need?
A simple starting point using the DIME method — Debts, Income, Mortgage, and Education. No signup. No premium quotes. Just an honest number to work from.
Your family's picture
Rough numbers are fine — you can refine later with an advisor.
Credit cards, car loans, student loans, etc.
Gross yearly income to replace
Payoff amount today, if applicable
Estimated future education you'd want funded
$1,350,000 – $1,550,000
A reasonable starting range for your family based on the numbers above.
- Debts$15,000 · 1%
- Income replacement$1,125,000 · 77%
- Mortgage$220,000 · 15%
- Education$100,000 · 7%
This is a starting point, not advice. A licensed advisor can refine this for your exact situation in about 15 minutes — free.
Results are educational estimates only and do not constitute an offer of coverage, a recommendation, or a guaranteed premium. Actual policy availability and pricing depend on carrier, state, and underwriting.
A simple way to think about coverage.
DIME adds up the four biggest financial holes your family would face if your income disappeared. It's not the only method — but it's a solid, plain-English starting point.
Debts
Everything your family would need to pay off — credit cards, car loans, student loans, personal loans.
Income
Your annual income times the number of years your family would need to replace it.
Mortgage
The remaining balance on your home, so your family can stay put without financial strain.
Education
Estimated future education costs for each child you'd want funded.