How much life insurance do I need to buy? Before you get a life insurance quote or apply for life insurance coverage you may need to figure out how much life insurance you need to buy. Do you know how much cash and income your dependents will need if you’re no longer around to provide for them? The life insurance coverage you carry on yourself or your spouse should come as close to that amount as you can possibly afford. A long-standing rule of thumb is that your total life insurance benefit should equal 5 to 7 times your annual gross income. To help you assess your needs more accurately, try out Garden State Life’s Needs Evaluator. Spending just a few minutes with this tool could make a big difference in your family’s future. It’s free, quick and easy. And by using it, there’s absolutely no obligation to buy. To evaluate your life insurance coverage needs, click here: Why do I need to buy life insurance? Who needs to buy life insurance? What type of life insurance do I need to buy?