WL doesnt build a cash value right away like a UL, so a person will not get all their premiums back on a WL policy, so it will look a lot like a surrender charge to a consumer or an agent, just like a UL or Annuity has a surrender charge that deducts from the total cash value. The difference is that WL doesnt build the cash value initially as the contract already takes into consideration the expenses or UW, the agent comp, expenses in those early years.
Or, are you just looking at a current consumers WL policy & wondering if they will receive the full cash value or if surrender charges are taken from it before they cash it in or 1035 exchange it? (PS- if close to policy anniversary, usually best to let the client earn their current dividend credited at end of policy year before they cash out or 1035 exchange)