Which of these is a method of determining the level of funds required for ongoing support in the event of the breadwinner's death?

• A. Need-based approach
• B. Human life value
• C. Replacement value
• D. Net value method

Answer: (B)

The idea being tested is how to measure how much life insurance is needed to support dependents after the breadwinner dies by valuing the lost earnings the family would rely on.

The human life value approach is the best fit because it directly translates the breadwinner’s future income into a dollar amount that would need to be replaced. By estimating annual earnings and multiplying by the remaining working years (often with adjustments for taxes, inflation, and living expenses), you arrive at the insurance amount needed to maintain the family’s standard of living after death. This focuses on the ongoing financial support the family would lose, which is exactly what the question asks.

In contrast, a need-based approach focuses on specific future expenses (funeral costs, debts, education, etc.), which is about post-death costs rather than ongoing income. Replacement value and net value methods are less commonly used for this purpose and don’t directly target the long-term income support the family would expect.