How much protection do you need?
The answer to that question depends on your financial situation currently and going forward. Protecting your family forces you to think ahead about their well being.
One rule of thumb suggests a couple with no children should have 12 times its annual income in life insurance, and a couple with children should have 20 times its annual income in life insurance. The true answer is it depends on several variables. Use the following life insurance calculator link to arrive at an accurate estimate of your life insurance needs:
http://www.foresters.com/financial/products_us/calculators/us_life_insurance_calc.asp
Do not let the report from the life insurance calculator intimidate you. Use it as an estimate and as motivation to start building an estate for your family over time. Most importantly, get some protection now.