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Life · Chapter 5 · Riders

AD&D — Principal vs Capital Sum

Definition
Principal sum = full accidental-death benefit. Capital sum = dismemberment benefit, usually half the principal sum. Presumptive losses (sight/hearing) also covered.
Easy to confuse with

These are what this term gets tested against — if you can't tell them apart cold, drill the contrast.

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Verified against primary sources · 2026-08-10