What to do when a Sentinel Security Life account holder dies
Contact Sentinel Security Life — 5-step process, 5 required documents, and varies; contact the company for current processing timeframes
Sentinel Security Life Customer Service
Sentinel Security Life Insurance Company, c/o WeWork - Gateway 6, 460 West 50 North, Suite 05-109, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Sentinel Security Life Customer Service
Sentinel Security Life Insurance Company, c/o WeWork - Gateway 6, 460 West 50 North, Suite 05-109, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Claims Department
Sentinel Security Life Insurance Company, Life & Health: PO Box 64453, St Paul, MN 55164-0453; Annuities: PO Box 64435, St Paul, MN 55164-0435
A death claim on a Sentinel Security Life policy is filed through the Claims Department ((800) 247-1423). Because insurance proceeds pass directly to named beneficiaries, this process is separate from probate. The required documentation and timeline vary by policy type.
To start a claim, contact Sentinel Security Life by phone at (800) 247-1423 or email documentation to LifeAndHealthPolicyService@illumifin.com. You will need the account holder's full name, account numbers, and a certified death certificate.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Sentinel Security Life works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Call (800) 247-1423
- Provide the deceased's full legal name, policy or contract number, and date of death
- Completed claim form
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Copy of the policy or contract (if available)
- Government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary or claimant
Required Documents
- Completed claim form (provided by Sentinel Security Life)
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Copy of the life insurance policy or annuity contract (if available)
- Government-issued photo ID for the beneficiary or authorized claimant
- Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration (if no beneficiary is designated and proceeds must go through probate)
What to know at this institution
Life insurance death benefits are generally paid as a lump sum to the designated beneficiary. For annuity contracts, the death benefit depends on the contract terms and any riders purchased. The Accumulation Protector Plus offers a death benefit equal to the greater of Account Value or Minimum Guaranteed Surrender Value. Settlement options for annuity death benefits may include spousal continuation, lump sum, lifetime income only, period certain, or lifetime with guaranteed period. If no beneficiary is designated, proceeds may be payable to the policyholder's estate and subject to probate.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Sentinel Security Life
Sentinel Security Life asks for a letter of instruction alongside its claim form. We prepare a transmittal cover letter and the enclosure checklist Sentinel Security Life requires.
Build your letter of instructionProcessing timelines at Sentinel Security Life: Varies; contact the company for current processing timeframes. Incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays—submitting all required documents with the initial claim helps avoid additional processing time.
Sentinel Security Life requires several documents to process a claim, including Completed claim form (provided by Sentinel Security Life), Certified copy of the death certificate, and Copy of the life insurance policy or annuity contract (if available), and additional documentation depending on the account type. Certified copies are typically needed—photocopies are generally not accepted for death certificates or court documents.
Frequently asked questions
Contact Sentinel Security Life at (800) 247-1423 to request a Change of Beneficiary form. Complete the form with the beneficiary's full legal name, Social Security number, date of birth, and relationship to you. If your policy was issued in a community property state (AZ, CA, ID, LA, NM, TX, WA, WI), your spouse's signature may be required. Mail the completed form to the appropriate address: Annuities to PO Box 64435, St Paul, MN 55164-0435; Life & Health to PO Box 64453, St Paul, MN 55164-0453. Minor children should not be named as direct beneficiaries; a trust or guardianship is required for minors to receive claim proceeds.
Sentinel Security Life offers a 3-tier final expense life insurance product known as the New Vantage series. New Vantage I provides first-day full coverage at competitive rates. New Vantage II offers a graded death benefit (30% first-day, 70% after 12 months, 100% after 24 months). New Vantage III is a guaranteed issue option with no health questions required. All are whole life policies that build cash value over time.
The Accumulation Protector Plus annuity offers a death benefit equal to the greater of the Account Value or the Minimum Guaranteed Surrender Value (varies by state). Settlement options for annuity death benefits may include spousal continuation, lump sum, lifetime income only, period certain, or lifetime with guaranteed period. The specific options available depend on the contract terms and the state in which the policy was issued. Contact Sentinel Security Life at (800) 247-1423 to discuss available settlement options.
Sentinel Security Life's Claims Department can be reached by phone at (800) 247-1423 and email at LifeAndHealthPolicyService@illumifin.com for questions throughout the claims process.
Multiple Sentinel Security Life policies may mean multiple claims. Some account types can be processed together, but others require their own documentation. Check with the Claims Department to confirm what applies.
Sources
Data sourced from Sentinel Security Life primary sources (16 pages reviewed). How we research.
Sentinel Security Life Customer Service
Sentinel Security Life Insurance Company, c/o WeWork - Gateway 6, 460 West 50 North, Suite 05-109, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Sentinel Security Life Customer Service
Sentinel Security Life Insurance Company, c/o WeWork - Gateway 6, 460 West 50 North, Suite 05-109, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Claims Department
Sentinel Security Life Insurance Company, Life & Health: PO Box 64453, St Paul, MN 55164-0453; Annuities: PO Box 64435, St Paul, MN 55164-0435
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