1. Assess your need. Consider these: the need to provide protection for children until they are independent. The need to pay off debts such as mortgages, educational loans or other loans. The need to protect assets which have accumulated over the years.

2. Determine the amount. Ten multiplied by the annual income is a general rule of thumb, plus any debt service.

3. Determine the length of time you are going to need the coverage. Generally, you may secure a level term premium up to 30 years, depending on your age.

It is sometimes difficult to arrive at "length of time" based on variables so consider instead some known facts:

» Life insurance rates tend to increase as one gets older.

» Choices are narrowed as upper age ranges are reached and some companies stop issuing new products at specific ages, i.e. 65, 70, or 75.

» "Life expectancy" is over 70 and increasing.

» Life insurance rates increase significantly if your health deteriorates and there can become a time when you will not be able to buy new insurance at any price.