Before you rush downtown to get some quotes, make sure to check that you aren't getting at least some life insurance cover already, perhaps in a policy that your employer pays for you. Check your benefits package at your place of employment or ask at the manpower or personnel department - you may just find you have a good proportion of what you need already.

Remember that you should insure both partners. Don't fall into the trap of insuring the main breadwinner and ignoring a non-working partner - after all, could you manage to take care of the kids while working, too? You are buying the policy at the beginning of your married life when everything is looking great. You are both working; you are both well and healthy. But things change. Jobs come to an end and as one ages, health issues rear up. Your policy is meant to last all your life, or at least until your children become independent, so treat everything seriously.

Remember that there are alternatives to the life insurance route. Family Income benefit, for example will pay your dependents an income, should you die before reaching pensionable age, rather than a lump sum which can be preferable.

Watch out also for joint policies for couples as they can often pay out after the first death only, leaving the surviving partner uninsured. Separate policies for each partner can be a far better and not more expensive option. And putting that policy in trust can keep it separate from your estate should you die, which may protect it from the dreaded inheritance tax.

Finally, when you have a good idea of what you want, it's time to get some quotes. You can either do this by calling up providers individually, or save yourself some time by plugging your details into a comparison tool such as one of the many to be found on the internet. It's a good idea, and a good system, of applying for a number of quotes from different providers at the same time.

Life insurance is clearly never going to be the most riveting of subjects, the very notion is quite depressing, so I'm not surprised my friends aren't keen to discuss it when more pleasant topics come to mind. But as insurance goes, this could be one that'll help you sleep a little better at night.