Old Mutual, a prominent financial services provider in South Africa, offers funeral cover policies designed to alleviate the financial burden that accompanies the passing of a loved one. With a variety of plans, Old Mutual aims to provide comprehensive funeral insurance solutions that cater to the diverse needs of individuals and families. Funeral expenses can be substantial, and having a specialised insurance policy in place helps ensure that these costs are covered without putting additional strain on those left behind.
Their funeral cover products are structured to be affordable, offering premiums that start from a low monthly cost for a defined cover amount, which varies depending on the age and needs of the policyholder. Entry ages for policyholders typically range from 18 to 54 years old, with provisions to extend coverage to family members, including parents and extended family, up to 84 years old in certain plans.
Old Mutual’s funeral cover includes immediate accidental death cover as well as a six-month waiting period for non-accidental cover, ensuring that families receive support swiftly in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Depending on the selected policy, cover can extend to include spouses, children, and extended family members with benefit amounts that can be adjusted to suit the anticipated funeral costs, reflecting Old Mutual’s understanding of the financial practicalities and the need for versatile insurance solutions in times of loss.
Understanding Funeral Cover
In this section, we delve into what funeral cover is and the specific advantages of choosing Old Mutual Funeral Cover, including its comprehensive nature and flexible cover amounts.
What is Funeral Cover?
Funeral cover is a type of insurance policy designed to provide a lump sum of money to cover funeral expenses upon the policyholder’s death. The funds can be used for various costs such as a coffin, tombstone, ceremonial services, and catering. These policies aim to alleviate the financial burden on the family at a difficult time.
Benefits of Old Mutual Funeral Cover
Old Mutual Funeral Cover offers a comprehensive plan that is tailored to meet the needs of individuals and families during the time of bereavement. The benefits include:
- Cover for Family Members: Policyholders can secure cover for up to 22 family members, ensuring that a wide support network is protected.
- Cover Amounts: The cover amounts range significantly to suit different needs and budgets, with options for individuals starting from R5,000 and going up to R100,000 for both the policyholder and their spouse/partner. For dependent and nominated children, cover amounts are also available starting from R5,000 to R50,000.
- Dependent Children: There is an option for covering an unlimited number of dependent children, providing extensive coverage for larger families.
- Tax-Free: The payout provided by Old Mutual Funeral Cover in the event of death is tax-free, maximising the support for the family.
Key Features of Old Mutual Funeral Plans
Old Mutual offers diverse funeral plans tailored to meet the varying needs of individuals and societies, providing financial support and peace of mind.
Comprehensive+ Plan
The Comprehensive+ Plan is designed for those seeking extensive cover, offering benefits beyond the basic funeral expenses. It includes premium holidays, allowing policyholders to miss payments under specific conditions without losing coverage. The plan also incorporates a money back guarantee, where a refund is provided if the insured passes away due to natural causes within a set period from policy inception. Accidental death is covered from the start, and there is a terminal illness benefit that advances a portion of the payout if the insured is diagnosed with a terminal illness.
Standard Funeral Plan
Old Mutual’s Standard Funeral Plan is a more targeted option, catering to individuals who desire a straightforward funeral cover. This plan might have a scaled-back version of some Comprehensive+ benefits but still maintains vital support like the money back guarantee for non-accidental deaths within the initial months of the policy. Accidental death cover ensures immediate protection, offering assurance from the moment the policy is in effect.
Burial Society Support Plan
The Burial Society Support Plan is an innovative solution for burial societies seeking an organised method to secure funeral cover for their members. It bolsters the collective by offering consistent cover options across members. This plan can come with provisions for premium holidays, easing the financial burden should the society encounter difficulties in meeting payment obligations. Each member under the plan receives dignified coverage in line with the society’s collective agreement with Old Mutual.
Cover Options and Benefits
Old Mutual offers comprehensive funeral cover options designed to meet the varied needs of policyholders. These options provide financial support for both immediate and extended family members in the event of death, ensuring that expenses are covered without undue stress on the family.
Individual and Family Cover
The Old Mutual Protect Family Funeral Cover is structured to support an individual and his or her immediate family. Policyholders can select cover amounts ranging from R5,000 to R100,000 for themselves and their spouse or partner, while dependent children can be insured for amounts between R5,000 to R50,000. This cover ensures that in the event of a death, the expenses for a coffin, tombstone, and catering can be managed without imposing a financial burden on the family.
Extended Family Funeral Cover
When it comes to extended family members, the Old Mutual Protect Extended Family Funeral Cover provides similar support. Cover ranges from R5,000 to R50,000 for parents, siblings and other extended family members. This extended cover serves as an essential safety net, allowing for the inclusion of a broader family network under the policyholder’s funeral plan.
Policyholder Benefits
Policyholders enjoy the assurance that funeral expenses, and potentially additional costs such as groceries and educational support, will be covered for a year after the passing of the insured person. The benefits of subscribing to Old Mutual’s funeral plans are not only the immediate payout but also the peace of mind that comes with knowing one’s family will be relieved from the financial challenges accompanying funeral arrangements. Policyholders are encouraged to assess their family’s needs closely to ensure the chosen policy meets anticipated requirements, reflecting a true safeguard for their family’s future.
Additional Benefits
Old Mutual funeral cover includes a variety of additional benefits that enhance the value and utility of their policies. These benefits are designed to provide financial support beyond the coverage of funeral expenses.
Grocery and Education Benefits
When an insured person passes away, Old Mutual offers the Monthly Grocery Benefit and the Monthly Education Benefit. These benefits ensure that the policyholder’s family is provided for during the challenging times that follow.
- Monthly Grocery Benefit: A sum is provided each month for a year to assist with household expenses.
- Monthly Education Benefit: This benefit aids with ongoing educational costs, also for a period of 12 months after the insured’s death.
Accidental Benefit Features
The policy includes an Accidental Benefit feature which safeguards policyholders in the event of accidental death.
- Double Accidental Benefit: Pays out double the cover amount if the insured person dies as a result of an accident.
Premium Holiday and Paid-up Benefits
Policyholders might face situations where they cannot continue paying premiums due to disability or other life events. In such cases, Old Mutual offers benefits to alleviate this burden.
- Premium Holiday: Allows a temporary break from paying premiums under specific conditions, ensuring the policy remains active.
- Funeral Paid-up Benefit: Once the policyholder becomes disabled, reaches the age of 64, or passes away, they are no longer required to pay premiums while their cover continues.
Eligibility and Premiums
Choosing the right funeral cover is crucial to ensure financial support during difficult times. Old Mutual offers a variety of funeral insurance policies tailored to provide peace of mind following the death of a covered individual.
Who Can Apply?
Insurance applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 65 years to avail themselves of the policy. Parents and extended family members can also be covered, with the maximum entry age for them being 84 years old. Old Mutual furnishes a protective umbrella not just for the primary policyholder but also for their spouse/partner, dependent children, and nominated children.
- Primary policyholder and spouse/partner: 18 – 65 years old
- Parents and extended family: Maximum entry age 84 years old
- Cover for: Spouse/partner, dependent and nominated children, parents, siblings, extended family
Premiums and Payment Plans
The premiums are age-dependent and start from as low as R26 per month for a cover of R5,000. This scales up according to the cover amount that an individual opts for. The cover range for the individual and their spouse/partner spans from R5,000 to R100,000. For children, dependent or otherwise, the insurance coverage ranges between R5,000 to R50,000.
- Starting Premium: From R26 per month, age-dependent
- Cover Amounts:
- Individual/Spouse/Partner: R5,000 to R100,000
- Dependent Children: R5,000 to R50,000
- Extended family: R5,000 to R50,000
The premium for the Old Mutual Protect Extended Family Funeral Cover ensures that other family members, such as parents and siblings, receive similar financial support with amounts ranging from R5,000 to R50,000. Payments are structured in monthly plans to suit different budgets and provide the flexibility to cover an individual’s specific needs.
Claims Process
When a policyholder passes away, beneficiaries can access funds covering funeral expenses through the claims process. This ensures that the death benefit is provided promptly to assist with the costs associated with the funeral policy.
Filing a Claim
To initiate a claim with Old Mutual, beneficiaries or legal representatives should follow these steps:
- Report the Death: The death must be reported to the Department of Home Affairs to obtain a death certificate. A funeral undertaker may assist in this process.
- Begin the Claim: Claimants can start the process by dialling 1206672# for free. Choosing option 1 from the menu allows them to submit a funeral claim.
- Submit Required Documents: A certified copy of the death certificate and the identification documents of both the deceased and the beneficiary are needed. If the beneficiary is under 18, a copy of the birth certificate will suffice.
Claimants can also use digital platforms, such as WhatsApp or the online claim submission option, to communicate with Old Mutual and submit the necessary documents.
Receiving Payouts
- Funeral Expenses: Old Mutual aims to pay out final expenses death benefits within 48 hours after a claim is filed.
- Other Death Claims: All other death claims are typically settled within 15 working days, provided that all required documentation has been correctly submitted and verified.
The expedited process for funeral expenses ensures that beneficiaries have timely access to funds to manage immediate costs. Old Mutual’s structured approach is designed to alleviate the financial burden during a difficult time.
Support Benefits
Old Mutual provides a range of support benefits to policyholders which encompass well-being beyond the financial aspects of funeral cover. These benefits are designed to assist families during difficult times, providing both emotional and practical support.
Counselling and Legal Assistance
Old Mutual’s funeral cover includes trauma counselling services, which offer emotional support to families dealing with the loss of a loved one. In addition to counselling, they provide access to legal assistance to help families navigate the complexities that may arise in legal matters post-bereavement.
Education and Grocery Support
The policy also includes an education benefit, which provides financial support for the education of dependents, ensuring continuity in the face of disruption. Likewise, a grocery benefit is available to assist with household needs, ensuring that the family’s day-to-day life is maintained during the mourning period.
Planning for Future Needs
Preparing for life’s uncertainties can secure peace of mind, particularly in the event of terminal illness or disability. Old Mutual offers funeral cover that ensures your family is not financially burdened and long-term support is available if needed.
Considering Long-Term Support
It is essential to consider the financial impact of long-term needs that may arise unexpectedly. Old Mutual funeral cover can cater to the requirements of those left behind after a loved one’s passing. Funeral support is an integral part; having substantial cover in place is crucial to cover funeral costs, providing families the opportunity to grieve without the added stress of financial strain.
Cover for Terminal Illness and Disability
Terminal illness benefit is a feature to look for in funeral cover that can ease the financial burden during a difficult time. Old Mutual provides options that allow policyholders to secure coverage that will offer a payout when diagnosed with a terminal illness, ensuring that care and support continue unabated. Similarly, disability coverage ensures that if policyholders become disabled, they can access financial support, which is paramount in mitigating the costs associated with long-term care and adjustments to living conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I purchase a funeral policy for family members, including my parents?
Yes, Old Mutual offers funeral policies that cover not only the individual but also extended family members, including parents. The policy accommodates people who are over 70 and even those over 80, ensuring that the family has support in place for life’s inevitable events.
What is the waiting period for non-accidental cover?
Typically, there is a 6-month waiting period for claims related to non-accidental deaths under the funeral policy provided by Old Mutual.
Are immediate family members covered for accidental death from the start of the policy?
Yes, immediate cover for accidental death is provided, which means the policy offers protection from the moment it is active.
How much funeral cover can I purchase from Old Mutual?
- For yourself and your spouse/partner: Between R5,000 and R100,000
- For dependent and nominated children: Between R5,000 and R50,000
- For parents and other extended family members: Between R5,000 and R50,000
Is it compulsory to buy cover for oneself?
It is not compulsory to include yourself in the funeral cover policy. One may choose cover options according to their needs.
What are the entry ages for the policyholders and their family members?
- Policyholder’s entry age: 18 – 65 years.
- Maximum entry age for parents and extended family: 84 years old.
- Maximum entry age for children: 20 years old, or 25 for full-time students. There is no maximum age requirement for spouses.
How should claims be made in the event of a death?
To make a claim, beneficiaries are advised to contact Old Mutual directly. The process involves providing necessary documentation and following their claims procedure, which is designed to be as smooth and supportive as possible during a difficult time.
Conclusion
Old Mutual provides a variety of funeral cover options in South Africa, catering to different needs and budgets. Its EasiPlus Funeral Plan is noted for its competitive premiums, starting as low as R29.00 per month, offering a swift payout to assist with funeral expenses. The payout ranges—between R5,000 to R40,000—ensure that policyholders can select the amount of cover that aligns with their financial capabilities.
The company’s funeral plans are designed to be accessible and comprehensive, with provisions for covering immediate family members and, in some cases, extended family. With options to cover up to 22 family members and additional benefits like the Monthly Education Benefit, Old Mutual’s funeral cover is adaptable to the unique requirements of South African families.
Key features of Old Mutual Funeral Cover:
- Immediate Family Cover: For the policyholder, spouse, and children with amounts from R5,000 to R100,000.
- Extended Family Cover: Tailored for larger families, ensuring that more relatives can be included under one policy.
- Rapid Payouts: Claims are processed with the aim of a 48-hour payout upon receipt of necessary documents.
- Optional Extras: Enhanced benefits such as early accidental death cover and education assistance.
They also offer what is termed a ‘premium holiday’, giving policyholders a measure of flexibility during challenging financial periods. Old Mutual’s reputation as a leading financial services provider reinforces the trust in their funeral cover products, offering peace of mind to their clientele. This blend of comprehensiveness, flexibility, and financial security makes Old Mutual a prominent choice for funeral planning in South Africa.