Coverage amount should come from a calculation, not a guess
A rough multiple of income is a starting point, but income replacement, outstanding debts, future expenses like education, and final expenses each add up to a more accurate number than a flat rule of thumb.
Health history shapes both your options and your rate
Being accurate on a health questionnaire matters -- both for underwriting itself and for the contestability period after the policy is issued, when past misstatements can still be reviewed.
- A serious condition doesn't automatically mean no coverage is available
- Simplified-issue and guaranteed-issue options exist for people who wouldn't pass full underwriting