Answers
Frequently asked questions
Straight answers about how we work and how life insurance works. Still have a question? Contact us or start a free coverage review.
Working with Full American Financial
Are you an insurance carrier?▾
No. Full American Financial is an independent insurance agency. We work with A-rated carriers and help you compare options — a licensed agent, not a carrier, guides you through the process.
Does it cost anything to talk to an agent?▾
No. A coverage review is free and there's no obligation to buy anything.
Do I need to give my email or phone to see results?▾
No. Our coverage review and calculator show you results without requiring contact information. You only share your details if you'd like an agent to follow up.
Why don't you show prices on the website?▾
Real pricing depends on carrier-approved illustrations and underwriting. Rather than guess at numbers on a webpage, we build an accurate, carrier-approved illustration with you. Our tools show coverage need ranges and education — not quotes.
Are you a captive or independent agent?▾
Independent. We're not tied to one company, so we compare options across multiple A-rated carriers to fit your situation.
Which carriers do you work with?▾
We place coverage with established, A-rated insurance companies. The right carrier depends on your goals and health profile — your agent will walk you through the options that fit.
What states are you licensed in?▾
Full American Financial is licensed in Florida (agent Bryson H Jones, NPN #W234699). Products and availability vary by state.
Choosing coverage
How much life insurance do I need?▾
A common starting point is the DIME method — Debt, Income, Mortgage, Education. Try our coverage calculator for a need range, then talk it through with an agent.
What's the difference between term and permanent?▾
Term covers a set period and has no cash value. Permanent coverage (whole life, IUL) is designed to last for life and includes a cash-value component. See our term and whole life pages.
Is employer coverage enough?▾
Employer coverage is a good start but usually ends when the job does, and the amount is often modest. Many people supplement it with their own policy.
Products
What's the difference between term and whole life?▾
Term covers a set period and has no cash value, usually at a lower initial premium. Whole life is permanent and builds guaranteed cash value, at a higher premium. See our term and whole life pages.
What is IUL?▾
Indexed universal life is permanent coverage with a cash-value component whose interest crediting is linked in part to a market index — you're not invested directly in the market. Read the full explainer.
Can my cash value go down in an IUL?▾
Yes. The 0% floor applies to credited interest only. Cash value can still decline due to policy charges, cost of insurance, loans, or withdrawals.
What are living benefits?▾
Living benefit riders accelerate part of the death benefit while you're living, under qualifying conditions such as certain serious illnesses. They are not free extra coverage — money accessed early reduces what beneficiaries receive, and terms vary by carrier and state.
Is an IUL a retirement plan?▾
No. It's life insurance. It can play a role in a broader plan, but it isn't a substitute for a 401(k) or IRA — and if your employer matches 401(k) contributions, capturing that match usually comes first. I'll tell you the same thing in person.
When can I take money out of an IUL?▾
Not right away — meaningful access usually starts around years 3 to 5 in a well-funded policy, and it's built as a 15-plus-year commitment. You reach the money through loans or withdrawals, both of which reduce your cash value and death benefit until repaid. I lay out the timeline, the two doors, and who this actually fits on our straight answers about your money page.
What is the DIME method?▾
DIME stands for Debt, Income, Mortgage, and Education — a common way to estimate how much coverage a family might need. Our coverage calculator uses it to show a need range.
Applying & underwriting
Will I need a medical exam?▾
It depends on the product, carrier, coverage amount, age, and health. Some policies offer simplified underwriting. An agent can point you toward options that fit.
How long does approval take?▾
Timelines vary by carrier and by whether an exam is required — from a matter of days for some simplified products to a few weeks for fully underwritten policies.
Does using nicotine affect coverage?▾
Nicotine use is a factor carriers consider in underwriting. Being upfront helps your agent match you with the right carrier.
Still have questions?
A licensed agent is happy to help — no pressure, no obligation.
Answers here are general and educational and are not a quote, an application, a recommendation, or an offer of coverage. Product availability, features, and underwriting are determined by the issuing carrier. Full American Financial is an independent insurance agency. Bryson H Jones, licensed in Florida, license #W234699.