Buy online
Your funeral policy can change your loved ones’ lives, giving them a beautiful send-off while ensuring they don’t have to take on debt or use savings to pay for a family service. It’s important to choose the right funeral insurer for you and your family who will pay valid claims quickly and offer policies with the value and benefits you need. To help you decide which insurer to choose, ask these essential funeral insurance questions.
Key questions to ask your funeral insurer
You should ask your insurance company these funeral cover questions when you take out a policy, but if you already have a policy and want explanations you can ask your insurer these questions at any time.
What does the policy cover?
A funeral policy will pay out a lump sum on the death of the insured member. However, not all causes of death may be covered. Ask your funeral insurer exactly what the policy covers, including if all causes of death are covered and from what dates. Your insurer must tell you of any exclusions that apply, for example if the policy covers death caused by suicide or if this is excluded for a certain time after the policy commences.
How much sum assured can be taken?
The sum assured is the amount that is paid out for a valid claim on the death of a member. Policies may limit cover to R50 000 per member, although some will offer up to R100 000 per member. Funeral insurers cannot offer more cover than R100 000 per member and children under the age of 14 can only be covered up to a certain amount, according to legislation.
How many members can be covered on the policy?
Policies offer cover for one main member as well as additional members such as spouses, children, parents, siblings and cousins. It is cheaper to cover all family members on one policy than for each member to have their own policy, so look for a policy that allows for the number of family members you want to insure.
What are the waiting periods?
A waiting period is the time in which you have to pay premiums, from the commencement of the policy, but cannot claim. Waiting periods often apply to death due to natural causes such as cancer or a heart attack, where you can only claim for these causes after the waiting period is complete.
What is the premium and are there any additional costs?
Your funeral insurer must provide you with a quote or schedule showing the amount of the monthly premium. This amount should cover all members as well as any additional benefits, such as a memorial benefit and repatriation service. Some benefits may not be included in the premium and maybe be charged at an extra cost. Find out what benefits are available and what the cost is so you can decide if they offer you and your family good value and are affordable or not.
You should also ask your funeral insurer when and by how much premiums increase so you can budget for these.
Can I customise my funeral insurance policy?
Look for flexible policies where you can decide how much cover to take for you and any additional members, and add on any additional benefits.
How do I make a claim?
Your funeral insurer should have details of the claims process on their website that is easy to follow. Claims should be quick and easy, with a minimum of documentation required.
What are the terms for policy cancellation or lapse?
One of the most important terms and conditions of funeral policies is that premiums must be paid when due each month. If a premium is not paid, there is a grace period, such as 15 or 31 days, during which it must be paid. If the missed premium is still unpaid, a funeral insurance company may suspend and or cancel the cover. 1Life Insurance funeral policies have a 31 day grace period to make up missed premiums.
Are there any discounts or special offers?
New members may qualify for premium discounts, such as if they buy a policy online, and there may be rewards programmes available where members can save each month, such as shopping at a certain retailer. Ask your funeral insurer if these apply, and if there is an additional cost for rewards programmes.
1Life Insurance offers tailored funeral cover for up to 16 additional members
1Life Insurance has been changing lives for nearly two decades with flexible policies that can be tailored to your needs and budget, with funeral cover for up to 16 members with sums assured of up to R50 000 per member. You can buy funeral cover online and save 40% on monthly premiums, as well as access and manage your policy safely and conveniently in your own time on the online policyholder services portal and WhatsApp service centre.
1Life Insurance has been voted an iconic brand 2 years in a row, in the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 Ask Afrika Icon Brands Awards and has been recognised as South Africa’s #1direct life insurer in the annual Swiss Re Reports for 11 consecutive years! Our policyholders are always top of mind, and in 2023 and 2022, we had the highest net sentiment in the PWC SA Insurance Index Report.
Your funeral insurer must meet your needs
Insurance companies who can answer these funeral cover questions quickly and easily will offer policies you can understand and claiming will be a smooth process, ensuring you and your loved ones have the funds you need for a respectable funeral. Talk to 1Life Insurance today about how your funeral cover can change your family’s lives for the better.