CoverDad Method

    The DIFE Method

    DIFE is the simple framework we use to ballpark how much life insurance a dad actually needs. It stands for Debt, Income, Final expenses, Education. Add the four buckets, and you're in the right neighborhood. Using DIFE, you'll know in a jiffy. 🚀

    D

    Debt

    Add up your mortgage, car loans, student loans, and credit card balances. The goal: nothing your family inherits should sink them.

    I

    Income

    Multiply your annual gross income by 10. That gives your family roughly a decade of runway to grieve, regroup, and adjust without scrambling.

    F

    Final Expenses

    Plan on $15,000–$25,000 to cover funeral, medical bills, and the legal odds and ends nobody wants to think about.

    E

    Education

    Earmark $100,000–$200,000 per kid for college. Adjust up if private school is in the picture.

    Stay-at-home parent?

    You're not "uninsurable" — you're invaluable. Estimate the replacement cost of childcare, cooking, transportation, and household management (typically $50,000–$70,000/year) in place of the Income line.

    Quick worked example

    Dad making $90,000/year with a $300,000 mortgage and 2 kids:
    D $300k + I $900k + F $20k + E $300k = ~$1.5M

    Skip the math — talk to Bob

    Bob will route you to the right partner in about 60 seconds. No coverage calculator required.

    DIFE is an educational framework — not a binding quote, approval, or financial advice. CoverDad is a licensed insurance agency. We earn commissions from our partners.

    Bob is an AI-powered educational tool, not a licensed insurance advisor. Estimates are for informational purposes only.