Frequently Asked Questions

A common rule of thumb is 10–15x your annual income, but the right amount depends on your specific situation: your income, debts (mortgage, student loans), number of dependents, spouse's income, and future goals like college funding. We conduct a detailed needs analysis to determine coverage that's genuinely appropriate — not just a rough estimate.

The best time is as early as possible. Premiums are based primarily on age and health — locking in a policy when you're young and healthy means you'll pay significantly less over the life of the policy. Key trigger moments include getting married, buying a home, having children, or starting a business. But there's no bad time to start protecting your family.

Statistics show that 1 in 4 workers will experience a disability before retirement age. Yet most people insure their car and home without ever insuring their income — which is far more valuable. If you couldn't work for 6 months, a year, or longer, could your savings sustain your family's lifestyle? Disability insurance bridges that gap, replacing 60–70% of your income and keeping your financial plan on track.

Short-term disability typically kicks in after a brief waiting period (1–14 days) and covers you for 3–6 months. Long-term disability begins after a longer elimination period (90–180 days) and can cover you for years — or until retirement age. Most professionals benefit most from a long-term policy, especially those with 6+ months of emergency savings to bridge the elimination period.

Now — regardless of your age. The power of compound growth means that every year you delay costs you significantly more in the long run. A 25-year-old saving $300/month will accumulate far more than a 35-year-old saving $600/month, simply due to time. That said, it's never too late to start — we work with clients at all stages to maximize what's possible with the time they have.

Indexed Universal Life (IUL) is now the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. life insurance market — $3.2 billion in premiums in 2025, up 19% year-over-year, representing 25% of all U.S. life insurance. The appeal is straightforward: cash value grows linked to an index like the S&P 500 (typically capped around 10–12%), a 0% floor ensures you never lose cash value to a market downturn, and policy loans are tax-free without affecting your Social Security taxation or Medicare premiums.

These strategies are generally appropriate for high-income earners or business owners who have maxed out traditional retirement accounts (401k, IRA) and are looking for additional tax-efficient growth. Premium financing — where a lender funds the premiums against your existing assets — extends these tools to high-net-worth clients ($5M+) who want to keep their capital fully invested. Both are sophisticated instruments that require careful planning — our advanced strategies team handles these exclusively.

Look for advisors who ask more questions than they answer in the first meeting. A good advisor spends significant time understanding your situation before recommending anything. Verify credentials (CFP, CLU, ChFC), check for fiduciary duty where applicable, and ensure they explain recommendations in plain language. At Eastern Atlantic Group, we always put your interests first — every recommendation is grounded in your specific goals and circumstances.

We're transparent about how we work. Our advisors are compensated through commissions on the insurance products we place and, for fee-based planning services, through planning fees agreed upon upfront. We disclose all compensation structures before you commit to anything — there are no hidden fees or surprises. Our goal is a long-term relationship built on trust, not a single transaction.