Figuring out life insurance usually means fielding a sales pitch before you ever meet the honest math. This advisor flips that around: you rank what the coverage is for, say who counts on your income and for how long, and note what's already saved — then it ranks the real approaches by fit. Twenty- and thirty-year level term, laddered policies, a small top-up on top of employer coverage, covering an at-home parent, no-exam term, and simply self-insuring all sit side by side, each with its typical cost, cash value, and underwriting spelled out. Whole life is in the lineup too, so you meet the 8–10x-premium reality on your own terms rather than across a desk.
It's deliberately a quote-shopping agenda, not an insurance decision. Real prices come from underwriting, which is individual, so the output points you at comparable quotes from an independent broker or a direct term marketplace. Hard lines you set — a monthly budget cap, no medical exam, term-only — hide the products that break them and tell you why. Everything runs instantly in your browser, and nothing here sells insurance or earns a commission.
What you can do
- Coverage approaches ranked for your household
- Term vs. whole life, with the honest cost math
- Sizes the need by income-years, mortgage, and savings
- Hard lines hide products that don't fit
- A quote-shopping agenda, not a sales pitch
Frequently asked questions
How much life insurance do I need?
The tool sketches the gap from who depends on your income, how long they'd need support, your fixed obligations, and what you've saved — commonly framed as 10–12x income or the DIME method (Debt, Income-years, Mortgage, Education) minus savings. It's an educational starting point, not a guaranteed number; a real figure comes from your own arithmetic and quotes.
Should I buy term or whole life?
For replacing a young family's income, term almost always buys far more coverage per dollar — whole life runs roughly 8–10x the premium for the same benefit. Whole life has genuine niches, like a permanently dependent adult or estate needs. The advisor shows both honestly so you can compare, but it doesn't make the decision for you.
Can I get life insurance without a medical exam?
Often, yes — simplified-issue and no-exam term underwrite from health questions and data instead of fluids, issuing in days. It typically costs a modest margin over fully underwritten policies, so healthy applicants may pay less by taking the exam. This tool can flag when the no-exam route fits, but actual eligibility and pricing depend on the carrier's underwriting.
Does this sell me insurance?
No. It's an educational tool — it doesn't sell policies, quote binding prices, or take commissions. It ranks approaches to fit your situation and hands you a shopping agenda; you get real quotes from an independent broker or a direct term marketplace before deciding.
Is this insurance or financial advice?
No — it's educational only, not insurance, investment, or financial advice, and not an offer or quote. Coverage and pricing are individual and depend on underwriting. Compare real quotes before deciding, and never cancel existing coverage until replacement coverage is in force.
Ready for your recommendation?
The Term Life Insurance Advisor runs entirely in your browser. Free, no sign-up required to use it.
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