Term Insurance Coverage Calculator
Recommended Term Insurance Cover
How Much Term Insurance Do You Actually Need?
Choosing the right sum assured for your term insurance is the most critical decision in financial planning. A policy that is too small leaves your family vulnerable, while over-insuring leads to unnecessarily high premiums. A term insurance calculator helps you identify the exact "protection gap" in your financial life.
The DIME Formula for Insurance Calculation
Many financial experts recommend the DIME method to calculate life insurance requirements:
- Debt: Total up all your outstanding loans including mortgages, car loans, and credit cards.
- Income: Calculate how many years your family will need your salary. A common rule is 10 to 15 years of your current annual income.
- Mortgage: If not included in debt, ensure the primary residence is fully covered.
- Education: Estimate the future costs for your children's higher education and other life milestones.
Example Scenario
Consider an individual earning $75,000 per year. They have a mortgage of $200,000 and two children whose education is estimated to cost $100,000 total. They have $50,000 in existing savings.
Step 2: Add Liabilities = $200,000
Step 3: Add Future Goals = $100,000
Step 4: Subtract Savings = -$50,000
Total Recommended Cover: $1,375,000
Key Factors Influencing Your Coverage
- Current Age: Younger individuals generally need more coverage because they have more years of expected income to replace.
- Lifestyle Inflation: As your lifestyle improves, your insurance coverage should ideally be reviewed every 3-5 years.
- Number of Dependents: A larger family with non-working members requires a higher sum assured.
- Inflation: Remember that $1 million today will not have the same purchasing power in 20 years. Always round up your calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the "10x rule" is a popular starting point, it often fails to account for significant debts or specific future goals like college tuition. Our calculator uses a more comprehensive "needs-based" approach.
If your household depends on two incomes, both partners should ideally have term insurance. You should calculate the coverage based on the specific financial contribution each person brings to the home.