Hollard Funeral Cover Explained: Benefits, Drawbacks & Who Is It Best For?

Funeral cover isn’t exactly a sexy (exciting) topic to chat about at a braai (barbecue). Nobody wants to think about kicking the bucket (dying), right? But leaving your family with a fat (big) R50,000 burial bill when they’re already gatvol (fed up/tired) with grief? Now that’s even less sexy, and a whole lot more stressful!

Hollard is a big name in the Mzansi (South Africa) insurance game, and they’ve made a big effort to make funeral cover easy to understand and manage, especially with their online options. We’re here to cut through all the fancy marketing talk and give you the real (truth) about Hollard funeral cover, what it’s good for, where it might fall a bit short, and if it’s the right fit (match) for you and your fam (family).

1. The Basics: What Hollard Actually Covers

Right, so what’s the deal with Hollard’s funeral cover? It’s pretty straightforward, like ordering a bunny chow (a South African fast-food dish) – you know what you’re getting.

Here’s a breakdown of the core benefits:

• Individual Cover (for you]): This is your main man (primary cover). It pays out when you, the policyholder, pass away. Simple as that.
• Partner Cover (for your other half): You can add your spouse or life partner to your policy. It’s like having a wingman (support person) for your main cover.
• Children’s Cover (for the little ones): This is super important for young families. Hollard covers your biological and legally adopted children, usually up to a certain age, like 21 or 25 if they’re still students. Imagine Sipho, 5 years old, playing in the street. If something tragic were to happen, his cover would kick in, helping his parents with the unexpected costs.
• Parents’ Cover (for the elders): You can even cover your parents and parents-in-law. There are age limits here, typically up to 75 or 80 when they join. This is a lifesaver for many, especially if your parents are pensioners and don’t have their own cover. Think of Gogo (Grandmother) Thembi, 70,. Adding her to your policy means you won’t be caught short if she crosses over.

But wait, there’s more! Hollard also throws in a few special features that are pretty handy:

• Airtime Benefit: This is a lekker (nice) touch. When a claim is paid out, Hollard often gives an airtime benefit. We’re talking a few hundred rand of airtime directly to the beneficiary. Why? Because when you’re dealing with a funeral, you’re making a zillion calls, trying to organise things, tell people, and so on. This just helps with those immediate communication costs. No need to stress about loading data!
• Burial Repatriation: This is super important for many South Africans. If a covered family member passes away far from home, maybe they were working in Jozi (Johannesburg) but their family plot is in the Eastern Cape, Hollard can cover the costs of transporting the body back home. This means no extra financial burden on the family during an already difficult time. It’s like, “Don’t stress about getting bra Sifiso (brother Sifiso) back to the village, we got this.”

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2. The Numbers: What You’ll Pay vs. What You’ll Get

Now, let’s talk moolah (money). Everyone wants to know what it’s going to cost them and what they’ll get back. Hollard’s premiums are pretty flexible, ranging from quite basic to more comprehensive, depending on how many people you cover and for how much.

You can usually get cover from as little as R5,000 all the way up to R100,000, sometimes even more for certain plans.

Let’s look at some example scenarios, just to give you a rough idea:

• Scenario 1: The Young and Frugal. “For around R150 a month, a healthy 30-year-old could snag (get) R50,000 in individual funeral cover.” That’s not too shabby, hey? It’s less than a take-away meal and ensures your people aren’t left high and dry (in a difficult situation) if something unexpected happens.
• Scenario 2: The Family Man/Woman. “If you’re a 40-year-old with a partner and two kids, you might be looking at R300-R400 a month for R50,000 cover for everyone.” That’s a good chunk of change, but it means the whole immediate family is sorted.
• Scenario 3: Bringing the Elders In. “Adding your parents to your existing family policy could tack on (add) an extra R100-R200 a month per parent, depending on their age and the cover amount.” Remember, older folks generally cost more to insure, it’s just how the cookie crumbles (how things are).

These are just examples, mind you. Your actual premium will depend on your age, health, the cover amount you choose, and who else you decide to include. It’s like going to the market – prices vary!

3. The Fine Print You Need to Know

Alright, let’s get into the less exciting but super important bits – the fine print. Ignoring this can leave you gatvol (fed up) later, so listen up.

• Waiting Periods: This is crucial.
  • For natural causes (like an illness), there’s usually a 6-month waiting period. So, if you sign up today and pass away from an illness next month, the policy won’t pay out. It’s not to be mean, it’s to stop people from only buying cover when they’re already sick.
  • For accidents, you’re usually covered immediately. So if you get hit by a taxi tomorrow (God forbid), the policy kicks in.
  • For suicide, there’s a longer waiting period, typically 12 to 24 months. Again, this is a standard industry practice.
• Exclusions: What’s never covered? Things like acts of war, nuclear risks, or sometimes, if you’re involved in criminal activities. It’s pretty rare stuff, but it’s there. Just don’t go trying to claim for something you did while robbing a bank, hey.
• Claims Process: When the time comes, how do you claim? You’ll need documents like the death certificate, identity documents, and the policy number. Hollard aims to make it as smooth as possible, and often pays out quite quickly once all the paperwork is in order. Think of it like getting your grant – you need the right papers!

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4. How It Stacks Up Against Competitors

So, how does Hollard measure up against the other big dogs in the ring, like AVBOB, Old Mutual, and Doves?

• AVBOB: Often known for higher payouts and comprehensive funeral services, but their premiums can be a bit steeper. They’re like the fancy steakhouse – great quality, but you pay for it.
• Old Mutual: Super flexible with a wider range of products, but sometimes their policies can feel a bit more complex, like trying to understand the rules of a new card game. You might need to do a bit more digging to find the perfect fit.
• Doves: Can be cheaper and offer good basic cover, but sometimes less comprehensive than the others. They’re like your local corner shop – convenient and affordable for the basics.

Hollard’s sweet spot? It’s best for those who want simple, online-managed cover. If you’re tech-savvy, like doing things on your phone, and you want clear-cut options without a million confusing add-ons, then Hollard is your (person). It’s straightforward, no chana-chana (fuss).

5. Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Consider Hollard

Is Hollard the right fit for everyone? Nah, not always. It’s like fashion – what suits one person might not suit another.

Hollard is Ideal for:

• Young families needing affordable child cover: Their options for covering the little ones are pretty competitive and easy to add on.
• People who prefer managing policies online: If you hate queuing at branches and prefer sorting things out from your couch with a cup of tea, Hollard’s online platforms are a dream.
• Those with family in rural areas (because of the repatriation benefit): This is a huge one. If your roots are deep in the platteland (countryside) and you want to ensure loved ones can be laid to rest there, this benefit is a lifesaver.

Hollard is Not Ideal for:

• Those needing payouts over R100,000: If you’re looking for mega (very large) cover for a super extravagant funeral or to leave a big chunk of cash behind, Hollard’s standard funeral policies might not cut it. You might need to look at their other life insurance products.
• Elderly applicants: While you can add parents, if you yourself are older and trying to get a new policy, age limits might apply, and premiums can be hefty.
• People who want physical branch support: If you prefer talking face-to-face with someone, signing papers, and having a dedicated agent, Hollard’s online-first approach might not be your vibe.

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6. Real Customer Experiences

What are people saying on the streets about Hollard?

Common Praises:

• Quick claims: Many folks praise Hollard for how quickly they pay out claims once all the documents are submitted. This is super important during a tough time.
• Easy online management: People love how simple it is to manage their policies, change beneficiaries, or even upgrade their cover online. No need to stand in a line that snakes around the block!

Frequent Complaints:

• Payout limits: Some customers wish the maximum payout amounts were higher, especially for more expensive funerals.
• Waiting periods: This is a common gripe across the board for all insurers, but some people still get caught out by the waiting periods for natural causes. It’s a tough lesson to learn, unfortunately.

Tips from existing customers:

• “To speed up your claim, make sure you have all the required documents ready before you even submit the claim. Don’t go in half-cocked (unprepared)!”

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7. How to Get the Most From Your Policy

So, you’ve decided to go with Hollard. How do you make sure you’re getting bang for your buck (good value for your money)?

Ways to save:

• Bundling with other Hollard products: Sometimes, if you have car insurance, home insurance, or other policies with Hollard, they might give you a discount for bundling your funeral cover. Ask them about it!
• Choosing higher excess for lower premiums: This isn’t really applicable for funeral cover as it’s a fixed payout, but it’s a general insurance tip for other products. For funeral cover, the main way to save is to choose a lower cover amount if your budget is tight.

Maximizing benefits:

• Using the airtime benefit effectively: When the payout happens, remember to claim that airtime! It’s there to help with those immediate communication needs.
• Understanding repatriation rules: If you think this benefit will be important for your family, make sure you understand the exact terms and conditions. What’s covered? Are there mileage limits? Better to know upfront than be surprised later.

Conclusion

So, what’s the final verdict on Hollard Funeral Cover? It’s a good basic coverage option with excellent online convenience. If you’re after something straightforward, easy to manage, and reliable, then Hollard is a solid choice. It’s not trying to be everything to everyone, but what it does, it does well.

Don’t leave your family in a lurch (difficult situation) when you kick the bucket (die). Funerals are expensive, and emotions run high. Sorting out your funeral cover now is one of the kindest things you can do for those you leave behind.

Ready to get started? Why not visit Hollard’s website to get a personalized quote in 2 minutes? Seriously, it’s quicker than boiling water for your rooibos (tea).

Remember, the best funeral cover isn’t the one with the fanciest adverts; it’s the one your family can actually claim when they need it the most. Peace of mind is priceless, my friend. 

Read another article we covered on funeral insurance, ”Understanding Coverage Options in the Metropolitan Funeral Plan”

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