American Amicable Review

About American Amicable

American Amicable Life Insurance Company of Texas, part of the American-Amicable Group, is a Texas-based life insurer that has been around in one form or another since 1910. As of 2010, American Amicable, headquartered in Waco, became a subsidiary of Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services, Inc. (iA Financial Group).

Along with annuities, American Amicable offers term, whole, and universal life insurance policies designed to meet diverse needs and budgets.

Although it’s not all they offer, they specialize in simplified-issue policies, which is life insurance without a medical examination as part of the application process. Simplified-issue policies are available from American Amicable for applicants as old as 85, making them particularly attractive for seniors and those with complex health profiles.

In their marketing materials, American Amicable emphasizes the ease with which new applicants can obtain coverage by completing a brief online application, highlighting their focus on accessibility and convenience.

American Amicable Financial Ratings & Strength

American Amicable’s current financial strength ratings:

• A.M. Best: A (Excellent)
• Fitch: Not Rated
• Moody’s: Not Rated
• S&P Global: Not Rated
• BBB Rating: A+ (highest possible)
• NAIC Complaint Index: 1.45 (slightly above industry average)

American Amicable isn’t rated by Fitch, Moody’s, or S&P, but A.M. Best awarded the insurer an “A” rating—considered “excellent” and the third-highest grade available out of 15. This rating reflects the company’s solid ability to meet claims and long-term obligations.

American Amicable also maintains an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, which is a notably high grade and better than most life insurers. The high BBB rating means that American Amicable generally has strong customer service and is responsive to client concerns.

While not among the top 125 life insurers by market share, American Amicable remains a trusted choice in the final expense and senior markets, with the financial backing of its parent company, iA Financial Group.

Latest Product Updates

Underwriting Improvements

American Amicable has enhanced its underwriting processes to better serve a wider range of applicants:

• Flexible Underwriting for Health Challenges: Improved consideration for applicants with minor to moderate health issues, allowing them to explain medical histories to improve eligibility.
• Expanded Non-Tobacco User Criteria: One of the most lenient definitions of “non-tobacco user” in the industry, with competitive rates for occasional cigar or pipe users.
• Enhanced Medication Review: More nuanced approach to prescription history, focusing on the reason medications are prescribed rather than just the medications themselves.
• Simplified Application Process: Streamlined application forms and processes, with many policies requiring only basic health questions rather than full medical examinations.

Customer Service Enhancements

American Amicable has invested in improving the customer experience:

• Live Chat Customer Support: Added live chat functionality for more immediate customer assistance.
• Electronic Policy Management: Expanded capabilities for making policy changes electronically or by phone without paperwork.
• Community Involvement: Through its parent company iA Financial Group, American Amicable has increased charitable giving and community support initiatives, including disaster relief efforts.

American Amicable Insurance Products

Products Offered by American Amicable:

• Term Life Insurance
• Group Term Life Insurance (only available to government, hospital, or railroad employees)
• Whole Life Insurance
• Universal Life Insurance
• Final Expense Insurance
• Modified Life Insurance

One of American Amicable’s most notable features is that they offer numerous policies, many of which are highly specialized. While not every specialized policy is right for everyone, if you’re looking for a specific life insurance product, there’s a good chance that one of American Amicable’s policies will have the characteristics you’re looking for.

Term Life Insurance

Term Made Simple:

The “Term Made Simple” policy has been updated with enhanced features:

• Available terms: 10, 20, or 30 years
• Coverage amounts: $25,000 to $250,000 (increased from previous limit)
• Simplified-issue with focus on an uncomplicated application process
• Medical questionnaire plus review of driving records and prescription drug history
• Level premiums and death benefits throughout the term
• Conversion option allowing policyholders to convert to permanent coverage without additional underwriting

Easy Term:

“Easy Term” is a fairly standard term policy available with a host of optional riders:

• Available terms: 10, 20, and 30 years
• The 20 and 30-year versions available with a “return of premium” feature that refunds all premiums if you outlive the term
• Flexible coverage amounts with competitive rates

Home Protector:

“Home Protector” provides term coverage designed to provide a means of making continuing mortgage payments in the event of the insured’s death:

• Terms typically aligned with mortgage durations
• Designed to ensure family members can remain in the home

Survivor Protector:

Provides decreasing term coverage with a benefit amount decreasing over the life of the policy:

• Designed to ensure surviving spouses are able to continue making mortgage payments
• More affordable than level term options

Whole Life Insurance

American Amicable offers no exam whole life policies for new applicants up to age 85.

Golden Solution Senior Choice:

“Golden Solution” is a simplified-issue final expense insurance policy specifically designed for seniors:

• Target Market: Seniors aged 50-85
• Coverage: Up to $35,000 (ages 50-75), up to $20,000 (ages 76-85)
• Features: Premiums payable until age 110, builds cash value, level premiums for life
• Benefit options:
  • Immediate Benefit: First-day full coverage
  • Graded Benefit: Partial payout in first two years (30% in year one, 70% in year two)
  • Return of Premium: Refunds 110% of premiums if death occurs in first three years (two years for those over 65)
• No medical exam required; designed for those with health challenges, including competitive rates for smokers

Family Solution:

“Family Solution” is simplified-issue whole life coverage:

• Available to new applicants up to age 49
• Coverage amounts from $5,000 to $35,000
• Fixed premiums and guaranteed death benefit

Guaranteed Guardian:

Provides whole life coverage with guaranteed, fixed-rate cash value growth:

• Emphasis on long-term financial security
• Stable premium structure

Financial Lifeline (I, II & III):

American Amicable’s “Financial Lifeline” policies are whole life with guaranteed cash value growth:

• Cash value growth linked to an annuity product chosen by the policyholder
• Premiums scheduled to continue through age 100
• Cash value accumulation begins after year 1

Legacy Builder:

“Legacy Builder” is a single-premium final expense policy designed for wealth transfer:

• One-time premium payment
• Immediate full coverage
• Ideal for legacy planning

Universal Life Insurance

American Amicable’s universal life offerings provide flexible coverage with growth potential:

Simple Universal Life:

• Coverage: Up to $300,000, available to applicants up to age 75
• Features: No medical exam or fully underwritten options available
• 2% guaranteed interest rate on cash value
• 15-year no-lapse guarantee (provided premium requirements are met)
• Free terminal illness and confined care riders included

Easy UL:

“Easy UL” provides simplified-issue universal life coverage:

• Coverage amounts between $25,000 and $250,000
• Guaranteed not to lapse for 15 years as long as all premium payments are made
• Flexible premium structure for changing financial circumstances

Ultimate Life Performer:

“Ultimate Life Performer” requires full medical underwriting:

• Includes doctor exam and blood test during application
• Lower premiums for healthy applicants
• Higher potential coverage amounts

Benefits of American Amicable Permanent Insurance

American Amicable’s permanent insurance policies are particularly well-suited for:

• Seniors seeking final expense coverage: Specialized products with appropriate coverage amounts and simplified underwriting.
• Individuals with health challenges: Accommodating underwriting for various medical conditions and lifestyles.
• Tobacco users: Some of the most competitive rates in the industry for smokers and tobacco users.
• Legacy planning: Single-premium and traditional permanent policies designed for efficient wealth transfer.
• Long-term care contingency: Available riders for nursing care and chronic illness.

Policy Riders & Options

American Amicable offers a wide range of available riders, some of which come standard on certain policies and some of which are optional and require additional premium. Not every policy is available with every rider.

Optional Riders:

• Critical Illness: Death benefit payments are accelerated if the insured is diagnosed with one or more “critical illnesses” defined in the policy. Accelerated payouts can be as high as $100,000 and are measured as a percentage of a policy’s face value—25%, 50%, or 100%, depending on the policy and rider selected.
• Disability Income: If the insured is medically determined to be totally disabled for a period lasting at least 60 consecutive days, the policy provides a monthly income payout measured as 2% of the available death benefit, up to $2,000 per month.
• Children’s Insurance: If purchased, the rider provides supplemental term life coverage for the policyholder’s minor children (or grandchildren for some policies), which can later be converted to a whole life or universal life policy for the child.
• Waiver of Premium: The obligation to pay premiums is waived if the insured is declared permanently disabled by a medical professional.
• Waiver of Premium Unemployment: Premium obligations are temporarily waived in the event of the policyholder’s unemployment.
• Nursing Care: If the insured is confined to a long-term care facility, policy proceeds are accelerated via regular monthly payments measured as a percentage of the policy’s death benefit.
• Accidental Death: The death benefit is doubled if the insured’s death results from a qualifying accident.
• Accident Only Disability: Provides disability benefits specifically for accidents.

Standard Riders:

• Terminal Illness: As much as 100% of a policy’s death benefit can be accelerated if a medical professional determines that the insured has less than two years to live.
• Chronic Illness: If the insured is found by a healthcare professional to be unable to perform two or more “Activities of Daily Living,” accelerated policy proceeds are available at the policyholder’s election.
• Confined Care: Provides benefits if the insured is confined to a nursing home or similar facility.

Customer Experience & Reputation

• Accessibility: American Amicable is known for making coverage attainable for those with minor or moderate health issues, with many policies available without a medical exam.
• Flexible Underwriting: The company is particularly accommodating for seniors and applicants with complex medication histories, often allowing applicants to explain medical conditions to improve eligibility.
• Mixed Customer Satisfaction: While the BBB rates the company A+, customer review scores average around 2.9/5, with some complaints about communication and rate increases with age.
• Limited Digital Experience: American Amicable has a more limited online presence and fewer digital tools compared to larger competitors. Most business is conducted through independent agents rather than direct-to-consumer online platforms.
• Community Involvement: Through its parent company iA Financial Group, American Amicable is active in charitable giving and community support initiatives.
• Live Chat Support: Recent addition of live chat customer service has improved accessibility.
• Convenience: Most policy changes can be made electronically or by phone, reducing paperwork.

American Amicable Life Insurance Review Conclusion

American Amicable Life Insurance stands out as a specialized insurer focusing on accessibility and flexibility, particularly for seniors, smokers, and those with health challenges. While not among the largest insurers, the company’s strong financial ratings and diverse product lineup make it a reliable choice for specific market segments.

The company excels in providing simplified-issue policies with flexible underwriting criteria, making coverage attainable for many who might struggle to qualify elsewhere. Their specialized final expense products like Golden Solution Senior Choice are particularly well-regarded in the senior market.

For smokers and tobacco users, American Amicable offers some of the most competitive rates in the industry, along with more lenient classification criteria for occasional users of cigars or pipes. The diverse rider options also allow for significant policy customization to meet specific needs.

Areas for consideration include the mixed customer satisfaction scores, limited digital experience compared to larger insurers, and slightly above-average complaint index. However, recent improvements in customer service, including live chat support and electronic policy management, demonstrate the company’s commitment to enhancing the customer experience.

While American Amicable doesn’t offer the largest coverage amounts or the most advanced digital experience in the industry, its specialized focus, competitive pricing for higher-risk applicants, and strong financial backing make it a reliable choice for final expense and moderate coverage needs.

Is American Amicable Life Insurance the best company for meeting your specific needs, goals, and objectives?

Maybe, maybe not. The best approach is to compare American Amicable’s offerings with other top-rated insurance companies to determine which provides the optimal solution for your unique circumstances.