By Jeff Blichfeldt

We insure our homes, we insure our cars, we insure our businesses, but what about the most important thing we can insure?  What about us?  We pay for the cars, we pay for the homes and we run the businesses.  Who is going to pay for these things if we are not around anymore?

Life insurance is an important financial tool that provides financial security and peace of mind to your loved ones in case of your untimely death. The right amount of life insurance coverage can ensure that your family members can maintain their standard of living even in your absence. However, determining the right amount of life insurance coverage can be a daunting task. In this blog, we will discuss a simple method known as the DIME method.  The DIME method is a simple and effective way to determine how much life insurance coverage you need.

The DIME method is an acronym that stands for Debt, Income, Mortgage, and Education. Let’s discuss each of these factors in detail:

Debt: The first step in determining your life insurance needs is to calculate your outstanding debts. This includes your credit card balances, car loans, student loans, and any other debts you may have. Your life insurance coverage should be enough to pay off all your outstanding debts, so your family doesn’t have to bear the burden of paying them off after you are gone.

Income: The second factor to consider is your income. Your life insurance coverage should be enough to replace your income for a certain number of years, so your family members can maintain their standard of living. A general rule of thumb is to have life insurance coverage that is equal to 10 to 12 times your annual income. For example, if you earn $50,000 per year, your life insurance coverage should be between $500,000 and $600,000.

Mortgage: The third factor to consider is your mortgage. If you have a mortgage on your home, your life insurance coverage should be enough to pay off the mortgage so that your family can continue to live in the home. Make sure to factor in the remaining balance of your mortgage, as well as any other expenses associated with your home, such as property taxes and maintenance costs.

Education: The fourth and final factor to consider is your children’s education. If you have children, your life insurance coverage should be enough to cover their education expenses. Consider the cost of tuition, books, and living expenses when calculating your life insurance needs.

Now you can add these totals together and you will have a better understanding of how much Life Insurance you need.  Once you have calculated your outstanding debts, replaced your income for a certain number of years, paid off your mortgage, and covered your children’s education expenses, you will have an amount that will allow your loved ones to continue the standard of living they have now, long after you are gone.

Please call our office for more information on calculating the right amount of life insurance as well as the best Life Insurance Products for you and your family.