1. How do I report a death?

Upon the death of an insured, a Service Center, General Office, or Sales Office must be contacted and advised of the name of the insured, the date and cause of death, and the name, address, and telephone number of the person who should be contacted. A claimant's statement and additional information on how to file a death claim is then sent to the appropriate person.

2. Who is a Beneficiary?

This is the person or other party designated to receive life insurance or annuity proceeds upon the death of the insured. The beneficiary is named when a policy is taken out and can be changed at the request of the policy owner.

3. What is Taxable Gain?

Under the tax law, certain distributions from life insurance policies result in taxable income to the policy owner. If a distribution is taxable, the amount the policy owner is taxed on is limited to the "gain" in the policy, which generally equals the policy's cash surrender value less the premiums paid. The following distributions and other transactions may result in taxable income to the policy owner: partial withdrawals, policy surrenders and lapses, and certain dividends. In addition, loans from policies that have been classified "modified endowment contracts" may result in taxable income to the policy owner.

4. I have changed my name, how do I update this information?

To change the name on a policy, the current policy owner must send a signed form, a written request, and a copy of a marriage certificate or other court document to the Service Center.

5. How can I update my home address?

Call (305) 444-8350 and provide the policy number and old and new addresses or send a written request.

6. How do I cancel my policy?

Contact a Customer Service Representative by calling: (305) 444-8350.

7. What should I do if I can't pay my premiums?

You should notify the service center right away. Contact a Customer Service Representative by calling: (305) 444-8350 or email a rep.

8. How much life insurance do I need?

At no charge to you, a Bentrust agent — professionally trained and experienced — can help you analyze your needs and recommend an appropriate amount of insurance to meet your needs.

9. How do I get a quote for life insurance?

Please use the consult an agent form, or speak directly to an agent by calling (305) 444-8350.

10. How can I purchase Life Insurance?

The best thing to do is to consult an agent and he or she can help you with your purchase.

11. How do I contact an agent?

Please use the consult an agent form, or speak directly to an agent by calling (305) 444-8350.

12. What is Whole Life Insurance?

This is life insurance that remains in force during the lifetime of the insured, provided premiums are paid as specified in the policy. Whole Life provides a guaranteed premium, a guaranteed death benefit, and a guaranteed cash value. While a Whole Life policy is in force you may take out a policy loan against the cash value or receive the cash value (less any policy loans and accumulated interest) should you need to surrender the policy. In addition, a Whole Life policy can pay dividends, which may be used to enhance both the death benefit and the cash value or may be used to reduce your premium payment. Dividends are not guaranteed and policy loans accrue interest and reduce the death benefit. For more information about Whole Life please click here.

13. What is Term Insurance?

This is life insurance, that pays a death benefit provided the insured dies during a specified period, and premiums are paid as designated in the contract. No death benefit is payable if the insured survives past the end of the term. Since premiums paid are used entirely to cover the cost of insurance, there is no cash value on a term insurance policy. Premiums may increase or decrease, depending on the type of term insurance owned. For further information about term life, please click here.

14. What is Universal Life Insurance?

This is adjustable life insurance that allows flexible premium payments, pays the life insurance benefit if the insured dies before the maturity date, and pays the cash value if the insured is living at the maturity date. A flexible premium is one that may be paid at a scheduled or unscheduled time. When a premium is paid, an expense charge is immediately deducted and the balance is placed in a cash value fund to earn interest at the current rate. Each month, all insurance expense charges necessary to keep the policy in force are paid internally from the cash value, regardless of whether or not the premium was paid. The cost of insurance will increase each year on the policy anniversary based on the attained age of the insured. This is a non–participating policy on which no dividends are payable.

*The policy will terminate at any time if the cash surrender value is insufficient to pay the monthly deductions. This can happen due to insufficient premium payments, if loans or withdrawals are made, or if current interest rates or charges fluctuates.

15. What is Variable Universal Life Insurance?

This is a form of universal life insurance that combines the premium and death benefit flexibility of traditional universal life insurance and the investment flexibility and risks of variable life insurance. These products are considered securities because the policy owner assumes investment risk associated with the variable investment divisions, whose performance will fluctuate with market conditions.