Sometimes you look at an offering and you wonder if it’s worth it. Funeral insurance can be one of those ‘I’m still on the fence’ type of products. So before you make up your mind, perhaps it’s a good idea to check out a few FAQ’s.

Most common questions about funeral cover:

  1. How long does it take before the money pays out at claim stage?

    It’s a good question because the reason you take out a funeral plan is to get quick access to cash in the unfortunate event you or someone in your family passes away unexpectedly. Most insurers will pay out within 48 hours, provided the correct documentation is submitted to them. The question is -do you have enough money stashed away to cover a sudden emergency like this?

  2. Can I take out cover for my entire family?

    Most Funeral Plans include family protection, but it usually only extends as far as covering your spouse, your children and other relatives, like parents. But it’s unlikely it will extend as far as covering your great-grandmother.

  3. Can I select the amount of cover I require?

    Different cover level options are normally on offer so you can pick the level of cover you require, at the premium that best suits your pocket. Naturally the higher the benefit level, the higher the premium. But don’t opt for a cover level that is too low – you don’t want to be stuck without enough money to cover a decent funeral, and all the other costs that are likely to pop up.

  4. Does the cover increase year on year?

    In most cases your benefit (amount of cover you have opted for) will increase when your premium increases, annually. That’s to ensure that inflation doesn’t erode the value of the benefit. If you are presented with an option to have a cover increase, when taking out the policy, do so.

  5. Are there any medical examinations involved?

    Nope, but a waiting period can be imposed before the insurer will pay a claim. Simply put, if you pass away (from natural causes) in a pre-determined time period, after taking out the policy, the insurer will not entertain the claim.

  6. Are there any other benefits included?

    There normally are additional benefits added to Funeral Plans nowadays. They can include ‘Grocery Benefits’ which pay out a cash amount for a few months after the claim, or even ‘Free Airtime’ add-ons to help with the costs of arranging the funeral.