content: <PAGE>
  
                         SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                                      FORM 144
                        NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF SECURITIES
  
                      PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES
                                     ACT OF 1933
                    ATTENTION: TRANSMIT FOR FILING THREE COPIES
                           OF THIS FORM CONCURRENTLY WITH
                      EITHER PLACING AN ORDER WITH A BROKER TO
                         EXECUTE A SALE OR EXECUTING A SALE
                            DIRECTLY WITH A MARKET MAKER.
  
  <Table>
  <S>                                     <C>                 <C>                       <C>
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1(a) Name of Issuer (Please type or print)                  (b) I.R.S. Ident. No.    (c) S.E.C. File No.
          UICI (NYSE:UCI)                                         75-2044750                      0-14320
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1(d) Address of Issuer                   Street           City           State           Zip Code             (e) Telephone No.
                                                                                                              ------------------------
          4001 McEwen Dr., Ste. 200                          Dallas           TX              75244                (972) 392-6700
                                                                                                                Area Code    Number
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2(a) Name of Person For Whose Account   (b) I.R.S. Ident.  (c) Relationship      (d) Address    Street    City    State   Zip Code
        the Securities are to be Sold          No.                to Issuer
  
          Troy A. McQuagge                                        Division Manager  500 Grapevine, Ste. 300     Hurst   TX    76054
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  </Table>
  
   INSTRUCTION: The Person Filing This Notice Should Contact The Issuer To Obtain
                          The I.R.S. Identification Number
                             and The S.E.C. File Number
  <Table>
  <Caption>
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         3(a)                            (b)                                                    (c)                  (d)
     Title of the          Name and Address of Each Broker           S.E.C. USE ONLY     Number of Shares         Aggregate
       Class of         Through Whom the Securities Are to be        ---------------      or Other Units           Market
      Securities         Offered or Each Market Maker Who is          Broker-Dealer         to be Sold              Value
      to be Sold               Acquiring the Securities                File Number       (See Instr. 3(C))    (See Instr. 3(d))
  <S>                   <C>                                          <C>                 <C>                  <C>
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Common                  FutureShare Financials
                                  85 Challenger Road                                      1,693                   $26,600
                                  Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  <Caption>
  
       (e)                      (f)                    (g)
  Number of Shares            Approximate            Name of Each
   or Other Units             Date of Sale            Securities
     Outstanding           (See Instr. 3(F))           Exchange
  (See Instr. 3(E))         (Mo., Day, Yr.)       (See Instr. 3(G))
  <S>                   <C>                      <C>
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        46.2 million          1/9/03              NYSE
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  </Table>
  
  INSTRUCTIONS:
     1.  (a) Name of issuer.
         (b) Issuer's IRS Identification Number.
         (c) Issuer's SEC file number, if any.
         (d) Issuer's address, including zip code.
         (e) Issuer's telephone number, including area code.
     2.  (a) Name of person for whose account the securities are
             to be sold.
         (b) Such person's or I.R.S.
             Identification number, if such a person is an entity.
         (c) Such person's relationship to the issuer (e.g.,
             officer, director, 10 percent stockholder, or member
             of immediate family of any of the foregoing).
         (d) Such person's address, including zip code.
     3.  (a) Title of the class of securities to be sold.
         (b) Name and address of each broker through whom the
             securities are intended to be sold.
         (c) Number of shares or other units to be sold (if debt securities, give
             the aggregate face amount).
         (d) Aggregate market value of the securities to be sold as of a specified
             date within 10 days prior to the filing of this notice.
         (e) Number of shares or other units of the class outstanding, or if debt
             securities the face amount thereof outstanding, as shown by the most
             recent report or statement published by the issuer.
         (f) Approximate date on which the securities are to be
             sold.
         (g) Name of each securities exchange, if any, on which
             the securities are intended to be sold.
  
                                       Page 1
  <PAGE>
  
  
  
                           TABLE I--SECURITIES TO BE SOLD
      Furnish The Following Information With Respect to The Acquisition of The
                           Securities to Be Sold and With
      Respect to The Payment of All or Any Part of The Purchase Price or Other
                              Consideration Therefor:
  
  <Table>
  <Caption>
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Title of    Date You    Nature of Acquisition    Name of Person From        Amount of         Date of      Nature of Payment
      the Class    Acquired       Transaction            Whom Acquired             Securities        Payment
                                                        (If Gift, Also Give        Acquired
                                                        Date Donor Acquired)
  <S>             <C>         <C>                      <C>                        <C>                <C>         <C>
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Common          1/9/03          Exercise of
                                  Stock Options           Issuer                  1,693              1/9/03       Cash
  
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  </Table>
  
  INSTRUCTIONS:
   1. If the securities were purchased and full payment therefore was not made in
      cash at the time of purchase, explain in the table or in a note thereto the
      nature of the consideration given. If the consideration consisted of any
      note or other obligation, or if payment was made in installments describe
      the arrangement and state when the note or other obligation was discharged
      in full or the last installment paid.
   2. If within two years after the acquisition of the securities the person for
      whose account they are to be sold had any short positions, put or other
      option to dispose of securities referred to in paragraph (d)(3) of Rule 144,
      furnish full information with respect thereto.
  
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
         TABLE II--SECURITIES SOLD DURING THE PAST THREE MONTHS Furnish The
       Following Information as to All Securities of The Issuer
                             Sold During The Past Three
        Months By The Person For Whose Account The Securities Are To Be Sold.
  
  <Table>
  <Caption>
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Name and Address of Seller             Title of Securities Sold         Date of Sale         Amount of        Gross Proceeds
                                                                                                 Securities
                                                                                                    Sold
  <S>                                      <C>                              <C>                  <C>               <C>
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  </Table>
  
  REMARKS:
  
  INSTRUCTIONS:
   See the definition of "person" in paragraph (a) of Rule 144. Information is to
   be given not only as to the person for whose account the securities are to be
   sold but also as to all other persons included in that definition. In addition,
   information shall be given as to sales by all persons whose sales are required
   by paragraph (e) of Rule 144 to be aggregated with sales for the account of the
   person filing this notice.
                                      1/9/03
                      ----------------------------------------
                                  (DATE OF NOTICE)
  ATTENTION:
   The person for whose account the securities to which this notice relates are to
   be sold hereby represents by signing this notice that he does not know any
   material adverse information in regard to the current and prospective
   operations of the issuer of the securities to be sold which has not been
   publicly disclosed.
                          /s/ Troy A. McQuagge
                      ----------------------------------------
                                     (SIGNATURE)
  
   The notice shall be signed by the persons for whose account the securities are
                           to be sold. At least one copy
    of the notice shall be manually signed. Any copies not manually signed shall
                         bear typed or printed signatures.
  
   ATTENTION: INTERNATIONAL MISSTATEMENTS OR OMISSION OF FACTS CONSTITUTE FEDERAL
                     CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS (SEE 18 U.S.C. 1001).
  
                                       Page 2
metadata_documents: [{"type": "144", "sequence": "1", "filename": "d02396be144.txt", "description": "FORM 144", "secsgml_size_bytes": 11456}]
text: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                                      FORM 144
                        NOTICE OF PROPOSED SALE OF SECURITIES
  
                      PURSUANT TO RULE 144 UNDER THE SECURITIES
                                     ACT OF 1933
                    ATTENTION: TRANSMIT FOR FILING THREE COPIES
                           OF THIS FORM CONCURRENTLY WITH
                      EITHER PLACING AN ORDER WITH A BROKER TO
                         EXECUTE A SALE OR EXECUTING A SALE
                            DIRECTLY WITH A MARKET MAKER.
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1(a) Name of Issuer (Please type or print)                  (b) I.R.S. Ident. No.    (c) S.E.C. File No.
          UICI (NYSE:UCI)                                         75-2044750                      0-14320
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   1(d) Address of Issuer                   Street           City           State           Zip Code             (e) Telephone No.
                                                                                                              ------------------------
          4001 McEwen Dr., Ste. 200                          Dallas           TX              75244                (972) 392-6700
                                                                                                                Area Code    Number
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
   2(a) Name of Person For Whose Account   (b) I.R.S. Ident.  (c) Relationship      (d) Address    Street    City    State   Zip Code
        the Securities are to be Sold          No.                to Issuer
  
          Troy A. McQuagge                                        Division Manager  500 Grapevine, Ste. 300     Hurst   TX    76054
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  INSTRUCTION: The Person Filing This Notice Should Contact The Issuer To Obtain
                          The I.R.S. Identification Number
                             and The S.E.C. File Number
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         3(a)                            (b)                                                    (c)                  (d)
     Title of the          Name and Address of Each Broker           S.E.C. USE ONLY     Number of Shares         Aggregate
       Class of         Through Whom the Securities Are to be        ---------------      or Other Units           Market
      Securities         Offered or Each Market Maker Who is          Broker-Dealer         to be Sold              Value
      to be Sold               Acquiring the Securities                File Number       (See Instr. 3(C))    (See Instr. 3(d))
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Common                  FutureShare Financials
                                  85 Challenger Road                                      1,693                   $26,600
                                  Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  (e)                      (f)                    (g)
  Number of Shares            Approximate            Name of Each
   or Other Units             Date of Sale            Securities
     Outstanding           (See Instr. 3(F))           Exchange
  (See Instr. 3(E))         (Mo., Day, Yr.)       (See Instr. 3(G))
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        46.2 million          1/9/03              NYSE
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  INSTRUCTIONS:
     1.  (a) Name of issuer.
         (b) Issuer's IRS Identification Number.
         (c) Issuer's SEC file number, if any.
         (d) Issuer's address, including zip code.
         (e) Issuer's telephone number, including area code.
     2.  (a) Name of person for whose account the securities are
             to be sold.
         (b) Such person's or I.R.S.
             Identification number, if such a person is an entity.
         (c) Such person's relationship to the issuer (e.g.,
             officer, director, 10 percent stockholder, or member
             of immediate family of any of the foregoing).
         (d) Such person's address, including zip code.
     3.  (a) Title of the class of securities to be sold.
         (b) Name and address of each broker through whom the
             securities are intended to be sold.
         (c) Number of shares or other units to be sold (if debt securities, give
             the aggregate face amount).
         (d) Aggregate market value of the securities to be sold as of a specified
             date within 10 days prior to the filing of this notice.
         (e) Number of shares or other units of the class outstanding, or if debt
             securities the face amount thereof outstanding, as shown by the most
             recent report or statement published by the issuer.
         (f) Approximate date on which the securities are to be
             sold.
         (g) Name of each securities exchange, if any, on which
             the securities are intended to be sold.
  
                                       Page 1
  TABLE I--SECURITIES TO BE SOLD
      Furnish The Following Information With Respect to The Acquisition of The
                           Securities to Be Sold and With
      Respect to The Payment of All or Any Part of The Purchase Price or Other
                              Consideration Therefor:
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Title of    Date You    Nature of Acquisition    Name of Person From        Amount of         Date of      Nature of Payment
      the Class    Acquired       Transaction            Whom Acquired             Securities        Payment
                                                        (If Gift, Also Give        Acquired
                                                        Date Donor Acquired)
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Common          1/9/03          Exercise of
                                  Stock Options           Issuer                  1,693              1/9/03       Cash
  
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  INSTRUCTIONS:
   1. If the securities were purchased and full payment therefore was not made in
      cash at the time of purchase, explain in the table or in a note thereto the
      nature of the consideration given. If the consideration consisted of any
      note or other obligation, or if payment was made in installments describe
      the arrangement and state when the note or other obligation was discharged
      in full or the last installment paid.
   2. If within two years after the acquisition of the securities the person for
      whose account they are to be sold had any short positions, put or other
      option to dispose of securities referred to in paragraph (d)(3) of Rule 144,
      furnish full information with respect thereto.
  
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
         TABLE II--SECURITIES SOLD DURING THE PAST THREE MONTHS Furnish The
       Following Information as to All Securities of The Issuer
                             Sold During The Past Three
        Months By The Person For Whose Account The Securities Are To Be Sold.
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Name and Address of Seller             Title of Securities Sold         Date of Sale         Amount of        Gross Proceeds
                                                                                                 Securities
                                                                                                    Sold
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  REMARKS:
  
  INSTRUCTIONS:
   See the definition of "person" in paragraph (a) of Rule 144. Information is to
   be given not only as to the person for whose account the securities are to be
   sold but also as to all other persons included in that definition. In addition,
   information shall be given as to sales by all persons whose sales are required
   by paragraph (e) of Rule 144 to be aggregated with sales for the account of the
   person filing this notice.
                                      1/9/03
                      ----------------------------------------
                                  (DATE OF NOTICE)
  ATTENTION:
   The person for whose account the securities to which this notice relates are to
   be sold hereby represents by signing this notice that he does not know any
   material adverse information in regard to the current and prospective
   operations of the issuer of the securities to be sold which has not been
   publicly disclosed.
                          /s/ Troy A. McQuagge
                      ----------------------------------------
                                     (SIGNATURE)
  
   The notice shall be signed by the persons for whose account the securities are
                           to be sold. At least one copy
    of the notice shall be manually signed. Any copies not manually signed shall
                         bear typed or printed signatures.
  
   ATTENTION: INTERNATIONAL MISSTATEMENTS OR OMISSION OF FACTS CONSTITUTE FEDERAL
                     CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS (SEE 18 U.S.C. 1001).
  
                                       Page 2