What policy information should I request before choosing how much life insurance my family needs?

Ask for the current death benefit, premium schedule, policy term or maturity date, riders, conversion rights, and any cash value or loan balance if the policy is permanent. The insurer should also identify which values are guaranteed and which depend on assumptions such as dividends, interest credits, or market performance. Use those contract details together with the family's actual coverage need before replacing, increasing, or cancelling a policy.