Life insurance needs, term cost and coverage-gap math
Run a DIME-style needs sketch, ballpark term cost from your rate, measure coverage gaps vs existing policies, and explore income-replacement years. Free, private — we do not sell insurance or generate quotes.
Tools
Life insurance needs (DIME)
Sketch life insurance need using Debt, Income×years, Mortgage, Education and final expenses, minus existing cover and liquid assets. Not a quote.
Term cost ballpark
Estimate monthly and total term premiums from face amount and an annual rate per $1,000 that you supply. We do not quote or sell insurance.
Coverage gap
Subtract group, individual and other existing life coverage from a stated need to see a coverage gap. Educational only.
Income replacement
Estimate income-replacement coverage need using years, replacement percent, optional wage inflation and discount rate. Heuristic only.
Popular guides
The DIME Method Explained
Debt, Income, Mortgage, Education needs framework — a teaching sketch, not a quote.
Term vs Permanent Life Insurance Basics
Educational differences between term and permanent designs without sales pressure.
Group Life vs Individual Policies
Portability limits, multiples of salary and why job changes create coverage gaps.
Income Replacement Rules of Thumb
10× income and similar heuristics — when they help and when they mislead.
Coverage Gaps After a Job Change
How leaving an employer can erase group life and what to review within deadline windows.
What Life Insurance Is Not
Clarifying non-goals: not a get-rich plan, not a substitute for disability cover, and how to spot pressure tactics.
How we work
Calculators use transparent arithmetic on numbers you type. Guides cite NAIC consumer pages and USA.gov. We are not an insurer, agency or broker. Read about CoverCalc and our affiliate disclosure.