How to Notify Principal of a Death
Phone or email. Call Principal or email them to begin a claim; requirements vary by insurance product.
What Principal requires
Original, certified death certificate
Beneficiary's Taxpayer Identification Number
Social Security number if the beneficiary is an individual.
Separate Beneficiary Statement per beneficiary
If there is more than one beneficiary of the policy proceeds.
Court documents of appointment
Letters of administration or letters of testamentary, if proceeds are to be paid to an estate — must name the personal representative.
Trust document naming the trustee
If proceeds are to be paid to a trust (or a completed Principal Trustee Certification and Release Form).
What to expect
Processing time: Claims are generally processed within 5 working days once all information is received.
A letter you can send Principal today
Fill these in and the letter below becomes yours — dated today, ready to print and send. Nothing is saved and you don't need an account.
Your letter asks what the institution requires. It won't claim you're authorised to act for the estate — only a court appointment gives you that, and saying so without one can hold up the process.
Principal Financial Group Re: Life Insurance Claim — Insured: Robert J. Sample Dear Claims Department, I am writing to initiate a life insurance claim on the above-referenced policy. The insured, Robert J. Sample, has passed away. I, [Your Name], am writing regarding the estate of Robert J. Sample, to ask what your institution requires in order to proceed. I respectfully request the following: 1. Please send me the required claim forms and a complete list of documents needed to process this claim. 2. Please confirm the current status and details of the policy. 3. Please advise of any deadlines or time-sensitive requirements. Enclosed please find a certified copy of the death certificate for your records. I can be reached at the contact information below. Thank you for your assistance during this difficult time. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Address] [Your Phone] [Your Email] Enclosures: - Certified Death Certificate - Government-issued Identification
Fill in the bracketed lines under your signature before you send it, so Principal can reach you.
Most estates need this same letter for eight or nine institutions, not just Principal. Estate Assist finds them and drafts a letter for each.
Draft the rest of my letters →Can't find an account login? Check a password manager app like LastPass, 1Password, Bitwarden, or Dashlane — many people store their logins there. Look for a small colored icon in the browser toolbar or on the phone's home screen. You'll need the master password to unlock it — never share that with anyone claiming to need it for notification purposes.
Principal death notification FAQ
How do I notify Principal of a death?
Phone or email. Call Principal or email them to begin a claim; requirements vary by insurance product.
What documents does Principal require?
Original, certified death certificate Beneficiary's Taxpayer Identification Number — Social Security number if the beneficiary is an individual. Separate Beneficiary Statement per beneficiary — If there is more than one beneficiary of the policy proceeds. Court documents of appointment — Letters of administration or letters of testamentary, if proceeds are to be paid to an estate — must name the personal representative. Trust document naming the trustee — If proceeds are to be paid to a trust (or a completed Principal Trustee Certification and Release Form).
How long does the process take with Principal?
Claims are generally processed within 5 working days once all information is received.
What if my loved one had other accounts besides Principal?
Every institution has its own process and required documents. Estate Assist reads the estate's documents, identifies every institution to notify, and drafts a personalized letter for each one automatically.
Other institutions
Checked against Principal's official website on July 18, 2026. Requirements, contact info, and processes change — confirm current requirements with Principal's official page before relying on this guide. Estate Assist provides general information, not legal advice.