Wabash Life Insurance Company Highlights
Current Corporate Owner & Status
- Status: Merged/Inactive. The Wabash Life Insurance Company no longer exists as a separate legal entity.
- Current Owner: CNO Financial Group (formerly Conseco).
- Note: In 2001/2002, Wabash Life was merged into Washington National Insurance Company. All former Wabash Life policies are now backed and administered by Washington National, a subsidiary of CNO Financial Group.
Early History (1950–1989)
- 1950: Wabash Life Insurance Company is incorporated in Indianapolis, Indiana.
- Purpose: Founded as a stock life insurance company to serve the Midwest region.
- 1964: Merger with American Central.
- Wabash Life merges with American Central Life and Disability Insurance Company, assuming its agency contracts and expanding its territory.
- 1960s–1970s: The company operates aggressively in the "health and accident" market, often selling policies through direct agents. During this era, it was headquartered on North Meridian Street in Indianapolis.
- 1981: Reorganization.
- Wabash Life merges with W.L.I.C. Insurance Company, with the surviving entity keeping the name "Wabash Life Insurance Company." This was largely a corporate restructuring maneuver.
Mergers, Redomestication & The Final Takeover (1990–Present)
1990: Redomestication
- 1990 (April): The company changes its legal domicile (state of incorporation) from Indiana to Kentucky.
- Context: While it moved its legal charter to Kentucky, it maintained its operational headquarters in the Indianapolis area (Carmel, IN).
1990s: The Conseco Era
- Late 1990s: Wabash Life comes under the umbrella of Conseco (now CNO Financial Group) during Conseco’s massive acquisition spree of smaller insurers in the Carmel, Indiana area.
- Strategy: Conseco specialized in acquiring inefficient life insurance companies and consolidating their "back office" operations to save money.
2001–2002: The Final Merger
- 2001/2002: Wabash Life Insurance Company is officially merged into Washington National Insurance Company.
- Outcome: The "Wabash Life" name was retired. The corporate charter was dissolved, and all assets and policy liabilities were transferred to Washington National.
Contact & Home Office Information
Since Wabash Life is now Washington National, you must contact Washington National for service.
- Current Home Office (Washington National):11825 N. Pennsylvania StreetCarmel, IN 46032
- Mailing Address (Policy Service):P.O. Box 1911Carmel, IN 46082
- Phone: 1-800-525-7662
- Website: www.washingtonnational.com
Sources of Information
- West Virginia & Florida Secretary of State: Corporate filings detailing the 2002 merger into Washington National.
- Kentucky Court of Appeals: Wabash Life Insurance Company v. Comer (1968), confirming the 1964 merger with American Central.
- A.M. Best: Historical company changes database tracking the dissolution of the Wabash Life charter.
- CNO Financial Group: Corporate history regarding the consolidation of legacy blocks into Washington National.
