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Old Mutual has come under fire after a disagreement with a client over an unpaid funeral policy benefit.

#KWAZULUNATAL: In a bizarre incident that has gone viral last night, Old Mutual is reeling in shock after a dead body of a policy holder was dumped at a KZN branch office of the insurance company.

The family of the deceased took drastic measures on Tuesday night, 19 October after battling against insurance giant, Old Mutual over the outstanding payout. The body of the deceased individual was hauled into Old Mutual offices in Johannesburg by the family who dumped a body bag containing their deceased relative.

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Tuesday evening saw Twitter and other social media sites flooded with videos of the family carrying the body bag out of Old Mutual offices in KwaZulu Natal.

It is understood that the outstanding death benefit was paid instantly following the visit from the family with the deceased in a body bag. The family proceeded to remove their loved one from the premises as soon as the payout was processed to the beneficiary.

Public outcry against insurance giant Old Mutual

Following the incident going viral, Old Mutual has stated that the funeral policy in question has been paid and that claims submitted are assessed on “an individual basis”.

In their statement on Twitter, Old Mutual stated,

We take note of this incident and would like to assure our customers that claims are assessed on an individual basis and the incident at this branch whilst isolated is regrettable. We take note of this incident and would like to assure our customers that claims are assessed on an individual basis and the incident at this branch whilst isolated is regrettable.

While we make every attempt to settle claims as speedily as possible, this specific claim had to undergo further assessments. Old Mutual strives to pay claims speedily – 99% of funeral claims are paid within 8 hours once all requirements are met.

We take note of this incident and would like to assure our customers that claims are assessed on an individual basis and the incident at this branch whilst isolated is regrettable. — Old Mutual SA (@OldMutualSA) November 19, 2019

It is unclear from Old Mutual as to why there was a delay specifically in respect to this insurance claim but stated that this funeral policy required a “further assessment”. It is understood that majority of funeral claims are paid out in a matter of 8-hours after the claim has been made by the beneficiary.

Netizens react in fury against Old Mutual

The National Funeral Practitioners Association of South Africa’s Muzi Hlengwa claims they intend to support the family in this matter against Old Mutual. The funeral body has threatened to take legal action against Old Mutual for allegedly refusing to pay out the funeral claim.