Add the numbers for your scenario.
01Insurance toolCalculated result
Life Cover Estimator
Estimate the life cover a household would actually need.
100% FreeRuns instantlyNo watermark
- 1Enter detailsAdd the numbers for your scenario.
- 2CalculateVootkit updates the result instantly.
- 3ReviewCheck totals, notes and breakdowns.
Private by designProcessed on your device where possible.
Works on any deviceDesktop, tablet and mobile browsers.
No installationOpen the page and start working.
Always free coreUse the free plan for everyday tasks.
How to use Life Cover Estimator
Vootkit updates the result instantly.
02Check totals, notes and breakdowns.
03Copy the answer into your workflow.
04Your files stay private
Your work is processed locally in your browser where possible and is never added to a Vootkit upload library.
Learn more about privacyLife cover is bought to replace what a household loses, and the mistake in both directions is the same: guessing a round number instead of working out what actually needs replacing.
What Life Cover Estimator does
Estimates a cover amount from income to replace, years to replace it for, and debts to clear. Defaults to 65,000 income over 10 years.
This estimates a need, not a policy. It cannot see your health, your existing cover, your employer benefits or your tax position — all of which change both the amount and what it costs.
What goes in
| Income to replace | Default 65,000 a year |
|---|---|
| Years | Default 10 — until dependants are independent |
| Debts | Mortgage, loans, anything that would survive you |
| Common convention | 10–12× annual income |
| Not counted here | Existing cover, employer death-in-service |
| Not counted here | Partner’s income, savings, state benefits |
| Also consider | Childcare costs a surviving partner would face |
| Is this advice? | <strong>No</strong> |
Detailed steps
- Set years to replace based on when dependants become independent, not a round number.
- Add debts that would not die with you — the mortgage above all.
- Subtract cover you already have, including through work.
Worth knowing
Check your employer death-in-service benefit before buying anything. Many employers provide two to four times salary automatically, and people routinely buy cover on top without counting it — paying for protection they already had. It also usually ends when the job does, which is the other half of the calculation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much cover do people usually take?
Ten to twelve times annual income is a common convention, but it is a rule of thumb rather than an answer. A household with a paid-off home and no dependants needs far less; one with young children and a large mortgage may need more.
Does this include what I already have?
No — you should subtract it. Employer death-in-service cover, existing policies and mortgage protection all reduce the gap, and forgetting them is the commonest way people over-insure.
How many years of income should I replace?
Usually until dependants are financially independent, or until a surviving partner reaches a pension. That is a household-specific judgement rather than a default.
Should I buy the amount this suggests?
Treat it as a starting figure for a conversation, not a decision. Premiums depend on age, health and term, and the right structure varies. An independent adviser is worth the fee on a decision this size.
Is Life Cover Estimator free?
Yes. The Vootkit free plan includes 5 tool runs a day. Upgrade to Vootkit Pro for unlimited daily use, an ad-free workspace and saved workflows.
Are my files uploaded?
No. Life Cover Estimator runs entirely in your browser — your file is processed on your own device and never sent to a server. There is nothing for us to store or delete.
Do I need to install anything?
No. Life Cover Estimator works in any modern browser on desktop, tablet or phone. Open the page and start.
How often can I use it? Is there a daily limit?
On the free plan you get 5 tool runs a day. When you reach the limit you'll see a prompt to upgrade, and it resets the next day. Vootkit Pro removes the cap entirely for unlimited daily use.
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This tool processes everything locally in your browser. You can disconnect from the internet after the page loads and it will still work.