When I first started quilting, I was taught to use a 1/2” seam. Of course, we added the seam to the template, then traced it onto fabric and cut with scissors. Barbara Johannah’s revolutionary book The Quick Quiltmaking Handbook published in 1979 uses 1/2” seams (but no fabric rotary cutter, which did not yet exist).
So, of course you can use a bigger seam allowance. You just need to be aware that a 1/2” allowance mean you cut a 4” finished square to 5”. And a 4” finished half square triangles should be cut to 5 3/4” and 4” quarter square finished should be cut to 6 1/2”.
If you are using small units (anything 1” or less), recognize that a larger seam allowance can add a lot of bulk. Quilter’s who make small scale quilts often use 1/8” seam allowance for this reason.