American National Life Insurance Review

By / March 29, 2024

American National is a group of companies that provide life insurance protection to families and businesses.

Table of Contents

Is American National a Good Life Insurance Company?

Founded in 1905 as the American National Insurance Company.

ANICO as it is known has been providing competitive life insurance policies to families and business owners.

Financial Strength

  • AM Best – “A”
  • S&P – “A”

Ratings as of – AM Best – 11/2020, S&P – 08/2020 – Ratings subject to change

How Easy is it to Get a Policy with American National?

American National makes it easy with their XPRESS and XPRESS PLUS accelerated underwriting programs.

  • XPRESS
    • Issue ages – 0-65
    • Face amounts – Up to $249,999
    • E-application
    • Underwriting classes – Standard and Substandard
    • Exams are not automatically required
    • All products are available

Compare the XPRESS to Assurity and their accelerated program.

  • XPRESS PLUS
    • Issue ages
      • 18-50 – $250,000 – $1,000,000
      • 51-60 – $250,000 – $500,000
    • E-application
    • Underwriting classes
      • Preferred Plus
      • Preferred
      • Standard Plus
      • Standard – No substandard
      • All products available

Compare the XPRESS PLUS to Banner Life and Lincoln National.

Term Life Insurance from ANICO

2023 – Update – American National has discontinued its term life insurance product lineup.

The ANICO Signature Term Life insurance policy is available.

Annual Renewable Term (ART) and Level Premium Term products are available.

  • Minimum Face – $100,000
  • Issue Ages:
    • ART – 18-65
    • 10-year term – 18-70
    • 15-year term – 18-65
    • 20-year term – 18-60
    • 30-year term – 18-50
  • Underwriting rate classes:
    • Preferred Plus
    • Preferred
    • Standard Plus
    • Standard
    • Preferred Nicotine
    • Standard Nicotine
  • Conversion available
  • Conversion credit
  • Policy changes not allowed except conversion
  • Riders:
    • Children’s Term Rider
    • Disability Waiver of Premium
    • Accelerated Benefits for Critical, Chronic, and Terminal illness

The maximum accelerated death benefit is $2,000,000 for issues ages 0-65, and $1,000,000 for issue age 66 or older.

Terminal Illness benefits are available when there is a 12-24 month life expectancy.

Chronic Illness benefits are available when you can’t perform 2 out of 6 activities of daily living.

Some critical Illnesses will also qualify for benefits.

The minimum policy size that can be accelerated is $25,000 for terminal illness, $50,

Accelerated benefits from American National are some of the best available in the industry.

Permanent Life Insurance from American National

American National offers universal life insurance and whole life insurance.

  • Signature Guaranteed Universal Life
    • Issue ages – 18-80 (75 for nicotine)
    • Minimum Face – $25,000
    • Guaranteed death benefit to age 120 possible
    • Underwriting rate classes:
      • Preferred Plus
      • Preferred
      • Standard Plus
      • Standard
      • Preferred nicotine
      • Standard nicotine
      • Under $250k requires standard rate classes
      • Riders:
        • Guaranteed Cash-Out Rider
        • Disability Waiver of Stipulated Premium
        • Children’s Term Rider
        • Accelerated Benefit Riders

American National is one of the best life insurers for their GUL product.

  • Signature Performance Indexed Universal Life
    • Issue ages – 0-85
    • Minimum Face – $25,000
    • Underwriting rate classes:
      • Preferred Plus
      • Preferred
      • Standard Plus
      • Standard
      • Preferred Nicotine
      • Standard Nicotine
      • Standard Plus & Preferred available at ages 18+
    • Death benefit options:
      • Level
      • Increasing
      • Return of Premium
    • Multiple Interest crediting options
    • Riders:
      • Disability Waiver of Premium
      • Disability Waiver of Stipulated Premium
      • Children’s Term Rider
      • Guaranteed Increase Option Rider
      • Overloan Protection Benefit Rider
      • Accelerated Benefit Riders

Please note that the availability of certain product features, riders, etc. may vary by state.

  • Signature Whole Life
    • Issue ages – 0-80 (75 for nicotine)
    • Minimum Face – $10,000
    • Dividend Options
      • Cash
      • Premium Reduction
      • Dividend Accumulation
      • Paid-Up Additions
    • Riders:
      • Accelerated Benefit Riders
      • Disability Waiver of Premium
      • Children’s Term Rider
      • Guaranteed Insurance Option Rider
      • Paid-Up Addition Rider
      • Signature Term Rider

Please note that the availability of certain product features, riders, etc. may vary by state.

Other companies that offer smaller whole life policies include Illinois Mutual and Assurity.

We’ll provide you with the full company illustrations for any product you wish to review.

Are American National Policies Competitive?

Term life insurance from American National typically seems to rank in the top 10+/- in terms of price.

Critical and chronic illness accelerated benefits are good features offered by some other companies like North American and Sagicor.

The Signature Guaranteed Universal Life (GUL) policy is very competitive, often ranking in the top 3+/-, and we’ll often compare it to Pacific Life and Penn Mutual GUL policies

Does American National Provide Good Customer Service?

You may reach customer service at 800-899-6806

You will find online access to policy information – here

Corporate headquarters is located at:

1 Moody Avenue – Galveston, Texas 77550

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