How much life cover is actually enough?

Most of us insure our phone and our car without a second thought, then guess at the one number that matters most: how much our family would actually need if our income suddenly stopped. That number deserves more than a guess.

A useful way to think about it is in three layers, debts, income and future costs. Clear what would otherwise be inherited, replace your income for the years your family relies on it, and add the big known costs still ahead, such as education. Add them up, subtract what you already have in place, and the gap is roughly the cover you need.

Start with obligations, not products

The right figure falls out of your circumstances, not a product brochure. That is why advice begins with what you would need to protect, then works back to the simplest, most cost-effective way to cover it.

Your cover should be based on what you would genuinely need, not a round number that simply feels about right.

If you operate across borders, check portability early. Terms, tax treatment and claims handling differ by jurisdiction, and a policy that is perfect in one market may need adjusting in another.

Put a number to it.

Try the Life Cover calculator for a fast, personalised guide, then discuss it with Akhil.