What to do when a Wilton Re account holder dies
Contact Wilton Re — 4-step process, 7 required documents, and varies by policy block; typically processed within 30 days after all required documentation is received
Wilton Re Policyholder Services
801 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851
Wilton Re Policyholder Services
801 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851
Wilton Re Claims
P.O. Box 305014, Nashville, TN 37230-5014
When an insured person dies, the beneficiary or executor should contact Wilton Re's Wilton Re Claims at 203-762-4400 to start the claims process. Insurance proceeds are paid directly to the named beneficiary and do not go through probate. How quickly the claim is processed depends on the policy type, documentation, and cause of death.
Death claims at Wilton Re can be started through an online portal, which streamlines the initial notification and document upload. Phone and mail options are also available.
Death claim process
The death claim process at Wilton Re works as follows:
Filing a claim
- Call policyholder services as soon as possible to initiate the claims process
- Call the phone number for your policy block (see wiltonre.com/for-policyholders) for insurance services, or use the phone number on the deceased's most recent policy statement
- Have the policy number (if available), the insured's full name, date of birth, and Social Security number ready
- Anyone can initiate a claim: a beneficiary, family member, executor, or funeral home
- Wilton Re will provide a death claim form to each known beneficiary
- Complete the form accurately with the insured's information, cause of death, and beneficiary details
- Each beneficiary should complete a separate claim form
- Obtain a certified copy of the death certificate
- Submit the completed claim form and death certificate to the address or method provided by the claims representative
- Include additional documentation if requested (e.g., trust documents if a trust is the beneficiary, Letters of Appointment if filing as estate representative)
- Wilton Re reviews the claim and may request additional documentation
- Once all required documentation is received and the claim is approved, the death benefit is paid to the beneficiaries as specified in the policy
- If the claim is denied, Wilton Re provides a written explanation of the reasons for denial
Required Documents
- Completed death claim form (provided by Wilton Re upon notification)
- Certified copy of the death certificate
- Government-issued ID for each beneficiary
- Beneficiary Social Security number and contact information
- Policy number (if available; not required to initiate a claim)
- Trust documents and trustee identification (if a trust is the beneficiary)
- Letters of Appointment or Letters Testamentary (if filing as estate representative)
Claims Contact
What to know at this institution
Because Wilton Re administers legacy policies acquired from many different carriers, the specific claims process, forms, and contact information may vary depending on which policy block the deceased's policy belongs to. The phone number and mailing address on the deceased's most recent policy statement is the most reliable way to reach the correct claims team. If you do not have a policy statement, call the general Wilton Re number at 203-762-4400 or policyholder services at the phone number for your policy block (see wiltonre.com/for-policyholders) for routing assistance.
Prepare your letter of instruction to Wilton Re
Wilton Re asks for a letter of instruction alongside its claim form. We prepare a transmittal cover letter and the enclosure checklist Wilton Re requires.
Build your letter of instructionHow long the process takes at Wilton Re: Varies by policy block; typically processed within 30 days after all required documentation is received. The most common reason for delays is missing or incomplete documentation, so submitting everything upfront is the best way to keep things moving.
Wilton Re requires several documents to process a claim, including Completed death claim form (provided by Wilton Re upon notification), Certified copy of the death certificate, and Government-issued ID for each beneficiary, 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
Yes. Permanent life insurance policies (whole life and universal life) administered by Wilton Re can be transferred to an ILIT by completing an Ownership Change/Absolute Assignment form. The transfer removes the policy from the insured's taxable estate. Once transferred, the grantor loses ownership and control of the policy -- the trust becomes the new owner and the trustee manages premium payments and policy decisions. Term life policies can also be assigned, but they may expire before the insured's death. Contact policyholder services at the phone number for your policy block (see wiltonre.com/for-policyholders) to request the required forms, or download them from the customer portal at myaccount.wrli.com.
Yes. In 2018, Wilton Re assumed $2.7 billion of legacy long-term care (LTC) statutory reserves from CNO Financial Group's Bankers Life subsidiary. These LTC policies provide benefits for qualified long-term care services. Unlike life insurance policies, LTC policies do not have a traditional death benefit and cannot be retitled to a trust or name a trust as beneficiary. Policyholders with LTC questions should contact Wilton Re policyholder services at the phone number for their policy block (see wiltonre.com/for-policyholders or wiltonre.com/long-term-care).
If your policy has an irrevocable beneficiary designation, the irrevocable beneficiary must provide written consent before any beneficiary change can be made. Both the policy owner and the irrevocable beneficiary must sign the Beneficiary Change Request form. This applies to all Wilton Re subsidiaries. If the irrevocable beneficiary has died, you may need to provide a certified death certificate to remove the designation. Contact policyholder services at the phone number for your policy block (see wiltonre.com/for-policyholders) for guidance on the specific requirements.
Wilton Re's Wilton Re Claims can be reached by phone at 203-762-4400 for questions throughout the claims process.
When the deceased had multiple Wilton Re policies, some may need separate claims while others can be handled together. The Wilton Re Claims can clarify what's needed for each account type.
Sources
Data sourced from Wilton Re primary sources (13 pages reviewed). How we research.
Wilton Re Policyholder Services
801 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851
Wilton Re Policyholder Services
801 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851
Wilton Re Claims
P.O. Box 305014, Nashville, TN 37230-5014
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