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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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                                    FORM 8-K

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                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): DECEMBER 31, 2001



                       FIRST FORTIS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




         NEW YORK                        33-71690                13-2699219
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(State or other jurisdiction     (Commission File Number)      (IRS Employer
     of incorporation)                                       Identification No.)



             308 MALTBIE STREET, SUITE 200, SYRACUSE, NEW YORK 13204
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                    (Address of Principal Executive Offices)

                                 (315) 451-0066
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              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS.

     On December 31, 2001, Fortis, Inc. issued the press release included herein
as Exhibit 99 regarding the acquisition of Protective Life Corporation's Dental
Benefits Division by Fortis, Inc. and certain of its affiliates, including the
Registrant. Specifically, the Registrant's participation in the acquisition
involved only its coinsurance of certain dental and other insurance policies
written and reinsured by Protective Life & Annuity Insurance Company.


ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS.

(c)      Exhibits



         Exhibit No.                Description
         -----------                -----------
                                 
         99                         Press Release, dated December 31, 2001, regarding the acquisition
                                    of Protective Life Corporation's Dental Benefits Division







                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


                                       FIRST FORTIS LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY
                                                 (Registrant)

Date:  January 9, 2002                 By: /s/ Larry Cains
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Name:  Larry Cains
                                           Title: Treasurer