Allstate Life Insurance Company of New York, now known as Wilton Reassurance Life Company of New York (WRNY), has filed a lawsuit seeking the return of more than $137,000 in death benefit proceeds that it alleges were overpaid to two beneficiaries. The defendants named in the action are Daniel Jonah and Samilia Beckley.
The case involves a life insurance policy issued by WRNY to Emma Beckley on October 28, 1988. The policy carried an initial face value of $220,000 that decreased over time under a specified schedule. Emma Beckley died on August 22, 2023, at which time the policy’s face value was $82,813.25.
According to the complaint, the defendants received total proceeds of $110,023.58, exceeding their alleged entitlement of $41,406.62 each. WRNY claims this resulted in an overpayment of $68,616.96 to each defendant.
WRNY alleges that it made multiple attempts to recover the excess funds through written correspondence and outreach efforts sent to the defendants’ addresses in Texas and New York. The insurer claims that neither defendant returned the disputed funds and that their continued retention of the money constitutes unjust enrichment and conversion.
The plaintiff seeks restitution of the full amount of the alleged overpayment, along with interest and legal fees. WRNY is also seeking punitive damages.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney Lawrence Kurtz of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under Civil Action No. 1:25-cv-6768