Life insurance sized to your real numbers — not a rule of thumb.

Between student loan debt, a mortgage, dependents, and a rising income, "10x your salary" rarely tells the whole story. Here's how we think about coverage for medical professionals.

Term vs. permanent: what's the difference?

Term life insurance provides a death benefit for a set period — typically 10, 20, or 30 years — at the lowest cost per dollar of coverage. It's often the right foundation for income replacement while debt is high and children are young.

Permanent life insurance (whole or universal life) lasts your entire life and can build cash value over time. It's typically used for long-term estate, tax, or legacy planning rather than pure income replacement — and costs meaningfully more than term.

Why medical professionals are different

  • Student loan debt often runs well into six figures and doesn't disappear if something happens to you — cosigners or spouses can be left responsible.
  • Delayed peak earning years mean your income (and insurability) can change significantly between residency and full attending status.
  • Practice buy-ins or partnership agreements may require key-person or buy-sell coverage.
  • High future earnings mean the "replacement income" number is often larger than generic calculators assume.

How much life insurance do you actually need?

Rather than a flat multiple of income, we typically walk through:

  • Outstanding debt (student loans, mortgage, practice loans)
  • Years of income you want to replace for your family
  • Future obligations — children's education, spouse's income needs
  • Existing coverage through an employer or previous policies
  • Whether permanent coverage fits your long-term financial plan

Common mistakes we see

  • Relying solely on a small employer-provided policy that ends when you leave the job.
  • Buying permanent coverage before term needs are fully addressed, or vice versa without a plan.
  • Not accounting for student loan balances when sizing a policy.
  • Letting a policy lapse during a job transition and having to re-underwrite later at an older age.
FAQ

Life insurance questions we hear most

If your consultation is free, how are you compensated?+

Like most independent brokers, we're compensated by the carrier once a policy is issued — not by a fee from you. That means your consultation, coverage review, and policy comparison cost nothing out of pocket, regardless of whether you move forward.

Should I get term or permanent life insurance?+

Most medical professionals start with term coverage to protect against debt and income replacement needs, then layer in permanent coverage later if it fits long-term estate or tax planning goals.

Does my employer-provided life insurance count?+

It's a helpful starting layer, but employer coverage is usually a flat amount (often 1–2x salary) and ends when you leave the job. Most physicians need supplemental individual coverage.

Will my student loans affect how much I need?+

Yes. If loans are cosigned or held jointly, or if you want your estate to be able to pay them off, that balance should factor directly into your coverage amount.

Can I get coverage during residency?+

Yes, and it's often a good time to lock in rates based on your health rather than waiting until later in your career.

Let's size your coverage the right way.

No generic multiples — just a plan based on your actual numbers.