If you're single or married without children it's quite possible that you can save enough to be self insured. You'll need enough to pay final expenses and possibly replace the lost income so the survivor can keep paying the mortgage. However if you have kids that are still dependent upon you for support you almost certainly need insurance. When you're finally back in the empty nest stage it's time to consider self insuring again. The main thing is to think through your own situation.
Death is a sure thing.
It's the timing that's in doubt. You don't want to leave your survivors without sufficient resources to meet their needs. After you die is no time to find out that you needed more insurance. Thanks again to Stephanie for a thought provoking question. Visit the web's largest collection of free time and money saving articles.