Waiting periods protect a funeral business from people joining only when a death is expected. They also cause some of the most painful conversations a parlour has, when a family learns at the worst moment that cover hadn’t started yet.
The fix is to know, for every person on every policy, exactly when their cover starts, and to tell families clearly.
Track waiting periods per person, not per policy
A policy might be years old, but a dependant added last month is still waiting. Record the start date for each person covered, not just the policy.
Common situations to plan for
- A new dependant added to an existing policy.
- A member moving to a plan with higher cover, where the extra cover may have its own waiting period.
- A lapsed policy that is renewed: decide whether the waiting period starts again.
- Accidental death, which many plans cover from the start.
Your underwriter’s policy terms set the actual rules. Write them down for each plan so staff apply them the same way.
Tell families up front
When a family joins or adds someone, give them the date cover starts, in writing or by SMS. It prevents misunderstandings later.
Check before every claim
When a claim comes in, check the waiting period for that person, the policy’s payment position and its status before deciding. Record the decision and who made it.