To file a claim, the employer completes and submits the life insurance claim form online. The employer or family member can call us at 800-245-1522 to report the death and initiate the claim process.

Or, the employer completes and submits the group life claim (PDF):

• Mail: Principal Life Insurance Company
  Attn: Group Life & Disability Claims Department
  711 High St.
  Des Moines, IA 50392-0002
• Email: SBDClaims@principal.com
• Fax: 800-255-6609

No, there isn’t a filing limitation for submitting a group life claim. However, the sooner you can submit the claim, the easier it will be for us to obtain the information needed to process it. Over time, it can become more difficult to get needed documentation and proof-of-loss information. It’s up to the beneficiary to provide the required information to substantiate coverage and loss.

Once all information is received, we generally process claims within 5 working days. In some cases, more information may be needed, and the process could take a little longer.

Benefit checks are issued in a lump-sum payment.

Beneficiaries should speak with a tax advisor to answer this question.

If there is no named beneficiary, or the beneficiary is deceased, the contract provides us with guidance on whom the proceeds should be paid to. This is called facility of payment.

Yes, the beneficiary can assign proceeds to a funeral home. The beneficiary needs to get a funeral home assignment form from the funeral home. This form should designate Principal Life Insurance Company as the insurance company, specify a dollar amount for the assignment, and list the policy number and funeral home tax ID number. The beneficiary must also sign the form.

Before proceeds can be issued to an estate, we need to receive court documents of appointment. These documents are referred to as the letters of administration (issued when there isn’t a will) or the letters of testamentary (issued when there was a valid will at the time of death). This documentation needs to name the personal representative of the estate, often referred to as the executor, administrator, executrix, etc.

Before proceeds can be issued to a designated trust or trustee, we will verify that the trust is in force and that the trustee hasn’t changed. We need to receive a copy of the trust, which names the trustee. After receiving this documentation, proceeds will be paid to the designated trustee.

By law, minor beneficiaries aren’t capable of giving a valid release for the receipt of any benefits paid to them.

• Whenever possible, proceeds are paid to the legal guardian or conservator of the estate of the minor. We need to receive a copy of the court order appointing guardianship, along with the claim form, before making payment of proceeds.
• If guardianship documents aren’t submitted, the proceeds are paid to an interest-bearing individual annuity account to be claimed when the minor reaches the age of majority.
• In some instances, the Uniform Transfers to Minor Act (UTMA) can be used to pay the proceeds. Many states have specific criteria, which must be met to use this option of payment. In general, Principal Life would select a custodian, who would select a bank. The proceeds are paid to the custodian and minor beneficiary and forwarded directly to the bank account.

No, life premium waiver isn’t included on every group life insurance contract. The employer must elect this provision as part of the employer-sponsored benefit program. This is noted in the policy in the “life coverage during disability” section.

When we review a long-term disability claim—and there’s also group life insurance from Principal—we automatically check the life insurance policy for a life premium waiver benefit. If there isn’t long-term disability coverage, an employee submits the same disability claim form (PDF) to initiate a life premium waiver only claim. Written proof of total disability is required within one year of the date total disability begins.

When group life insurance coverage from Principal ends for any reason, review the “individual purchase rights” provisions in the policy to determine if/when conversion should be offered. If applicable, offer the employee conversion. If the employee already has an approved claim for life premium waiver, you don’t need to offer conversion. If we denied a claim for life premium waiver, we’ll provide conversion rights to the claimant.

Coping with a loss can be difficult, so we offer grief support, financial planning support, and will services (for spouses only and up three months after death) to help beneficiaries through these times at no cost.

Contact information for these valuable services:

• Grief support: 800-274-4529 or get support online
• Financial planning support: 877-692-3831 (7 a.m. - 7 p.m. CT)
• Will services: 866-539-1728 or use the online services