How to name beneficiaries and fund a trust at Shelter Insurance
Covers 8 insurance accounts — beneficiaries can be updated by phone
Phone1-800-743-5837
Mailing Address
Shelter Insurance, 1817 West Broadway, Columbia, MO 65218
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-743-5837
Mailing Address
Shelter Insurance, 1817 West Broadway, Columbia, MO 65218
WebsiteLearn more→
Claims Department
Phone1-800-743-5837
Mailing Address
Shelter Insurance - Claims, P.O. Box 6008, Columbia, MO 65205
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning with Shelter Insurance policies centers on beneficiary designations—the single most important step for ensuring life insurance proceeds and annuity benefits reach the intended recipients without probate involvement. Unlike bank or brokerage accounts, insurance products are not retitled into trusts; instead, trusts are named as beneficiaries when estate tax planning or controlled distributions are needed.
Shelter Insurance offers 8 policies, each with its own transfer rules. The sections below cover how to set up beneficiaries, fund a trust, and which products support each approach.
Level Term Life InsuranceShelter Express Term Life InsuranceEZ Term Life InsuranceWhole Life InsuranceSecure Whole Life Insurance20-Pay Whole Life InsurancePlatinum Shield V Universal Life InsuranceFixed Annuity
1
Call your local Shelter Insurance agent or 1-800-SHELTER (1-800-743-5837)
2
Request a beneficiary change form for your life insurance or annuity policy
3
Indicate whether you would like the form mailed or faxed to you
4
Complete, sign, and return the form to your agent or to the corporate office at Shelter Insurance, 1817 West Broadway, Columbia, MO 65218
Required Documents
- Trust name, date established, and tax ID (EIN or SSN)
Special Requirements
- Only the policyholder can change the beneficiary designation
- If naming a trust as beneficiary, provide the full legal name of the trust, the date the trust was established, and the trustee name
- Irrevocable beneficiary designations require the beneficiary's written consent to change
- Community property states may require spousal notification or consent for beneficiary changes on certain policies
Sources
Data sourced from Shelter Insurance primary sources (20 pages reviewed). How we research.
Download these Shelter Insurance instructions
Download instructions for the whole estateA printable PDF with the steps, required documents, and contact details — verified against Shelter Insurance primary sources. Bring it to the branch or keep it beside the phone.
Phone1-800-743-5837
Mailing Address
Shelter Insurance, 1817 West Broadway, Columbia, MO 65218
WebsiteLearn more→
Phone1-800-743-5837
Mailing Address
Shelter Insurance, 1817 West Broadway, Columbia, MO 65218
WebsiteLearn more→
Claims Department
Phone1-800-743-5837
Mailing Address
Shelter Insurance - Claims, P.O. Box 6008, Columbia, MO 65205
WebsiteNotify online→
Verified Jul 2026
Estate planning articles
Learn how to protect your Shelter Insurance accounts and other assets with trusts, beneficiary designations, and estate planning documents.
