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Prepare the letter of instruction American General requests during estate or death-claim processing — addressed to its verified claims department with the required enclosures. PDF.
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Which institution holds the account, and the capacity you are writing in.
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Send it to American General's estate/claims department: American General Life/US Life, PO Box 818100, Cleveland, OH 44181. You can reach the department at 1-844-452-3832.
American General lists these among its required documents: Completed Claimant's Statement (provided in claim packet; each beneficiary completes separately); Proof of death (tiered by benefit amount): $15,000 or less requires obituary, funeral program, funeral bill, Proof of Death form, or death certificate; $15,001-$50,000 requires Proof of Death form or death certificate; $50,001-$100,000 requires death certificate; over $100,000 requires certified death certificate; Government-issued photo identification for each beneficiary; Beneficiary Social Security number or tax identification number. The prepared letter includes an enclosure checklist drawn from American General's recorded requirements.
For claims of $15,000 or less, an expedited process is used with the beneficiary contacted within 24 hours. For claims over $15,000, a claims packet is mailed within 5 business days of initial notification. Payment by check is sent within 5 business days of receiving proof of death. Review and processing occur within 5 business days once all requirements are received. Notification is sent within 5 business days if information is missing. Allow 3-5 additional days for check delivery by mail.
American General provides its own letter-of-instruction/claim form. We prepare a transmittal cover letter and an enclosure checklist to accompany that form.
It depends on the capacity you are acting in. An executor or administrator encloses Letters Testamentary (when there is a will) or Letters of Administration (when there is not); a successor trustee encloses a certificate of trust; a successor under a small estate encloses that state’s small estate affidavit. The prepared letter lists the proof-of-authority document for your role alongside the institution’s required documents.
A letter of instruction is the written request an institution asks for when settling a deceased customer’s account. It identifies the decedent and the account, states the capacity you are acting in, and tells the institution what to do with the account.
