Is term or permanent coverage better?

They solve different problems. Term covers a defined window, like the years you have a mortgage and children at home. Permanent coverage is built to last and costs more for the same face amount. Which fits depends on what you're protecting and for how long.

Do stay-at-home parents need coverage?

Often yes. The work being done has real replacement cost, even though it doesn't show up as income.

How much life insurance do I need?

The useful version of this question isn't a formula. It's: if your income stopped tomorrow, what still has to get paid, and for how long?

Author: Jordan Bloomingdale
Reviewed: 2026-01-27
Updated: 2026-01-27
Read time: 6 min

In this article

Employer coverage is a starting point, not a plan
Think in years, not in round numbers
You may already have enough

Short answer

Start by adding the obligations that would outlive your paycheck — mortgage balance, other debt, years of household expenses your family would still face, and anything you intend to fund like childcare or college. Then subtract what already exists: savings and any coverage you already own. The gap is the conversation.

Employer coverage is a starting point, not a plan

Group coverage is often a multiple of salary and usually ends when the job does. It's genuinely useful. It's just tied to something that can change without much notice.

Think in years, not in round numbers

"Enough to be okay" is vague. "Enough that the mortgage is handled and the household runs normally for ten years" is something you can actually check.

You may already have enough

It happens more often than people expect — especially for households with no dependents, no mortgage, and solid savings. If that's you, we'll say so.