police and fire coverage calculator
Your pay, your loans, your work plan. See the gap in 30 seconds.
OpenIf you die on the job
What workers comp, work plans and Social Security pay, and what they don't.
OpenWhy it matters
In 2023, police officers had a fatal injury rate of 11.3 per 100,000 full time workers. The rate for all workers was 3.5.
There is a federal benefit for line of duty deaths. It does not cover every death, and work coverage usually ends when you leave or retire. Your own policy fills that gap.
- The federal Public Safety Officers' Benefits program pays death and education benefits to survivors of officers, firefighters, and other first responders who die in the line of duty. The death benefit was $461,656 for deaths in fiscal year 2026 (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026).
- About 87 percent of firefighters work for local government. Coverage through a job usually ends when you leave it.
What an insurer may ask you
Have these ready. Being honest up front gets you a real price and avoids problems at claim time.
- Your role, such as patrol, SWAT, or interior firefighting
- Full time, part time, or volunteer
- Health, age, and tobacco use
- Driving record
Common questions
Does the federal PSOB benefit replace life insurance?
No. PSOB covers line of duty deaths that qualify. Life insurance can pay for other causes of death too.
How much does PSOB pay?
For deaths in fiscal year 2026, the death benefit was $461,656.
Will my job raise my life insurance price?
It may. Insurers look at your job, age, health, and tobacco use.
What happens to my department coverage when I retire?
Coverage through a job typically ends when you leave. Ask your plan about your options before you go.
Coverage people in this job pick
Sources
- BLS OOH: Police and Detectives
- BLS OOH: Firefighters
- BLS CFOI: Civilian occupations with high fatal work injury rates, 2023
- BJA: Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program
- BJA: PSOB Benefits by Year
- Texas Department of Insurance: Life insurance guide
- Texas Department of Insurance: Do you need life insurance?
