AVBOB: funeral cover, contact numbers and how to claim

AVBOB Mutual Assurance Society is a licensed life insurer and an authorised financial services provider (FSP 20656). It is a mutual society, which means it is owned by its members rather than by shareholders.

AVBOB Funeral Service, which runs the funeral parlours, is a separate business within the AVBOB group. The two work together, but a policy and a funeral are different things, so keep them apart when you read the terms.

AVBOB's services include burial and cremation, coffins and caskets that it makes itself, tombstones, national and international repatriation, and help with arranging the funeral and registering the death. Aquamation, a water-based alternative to cremation, is currently available only at AVBOB in Cape Town and Pretoria.

• AVBOB's 24-hour funeral line and its policy/claims line are the same number, 0861 28 26 21; the funeral line is available 24 hours, 7 days a week. (avbob.co.za)
• All AVBOB cover has a six-month waiting period for natural death, but accidental death has none once the policy has started and the first premium is paid. The six months can be waived in part or in full if you can prove earlier cover that lapsed or was cancelled within 31 days before the new policy's issue date. (avbob.co.za)
• The AVBOB pensioners scheme publishes monthly premiums: R150 (age 65-74), R180 (75-79), R220 (80-84) for R8 000 cover; a once-off payment buys R10 000 cover with no waiting period, and anyone over 84 must use the once-off payment. (avbob.co.za)
• Aquamation (water-based cremation) is currently only available at AVBOB in Cape Town and Pretoria. (avbob.co.za)

Plans as AVBOB Funeral Service describes them on its own website on 30 September 2026. Premiums depend on your age, the cover amount and who you add, so the published figures are examples, not quotes.

Extra benefits AVBOB Funeral Service lists:

• Cashback Funeral Cover: Cash for every five consecutive claim-free years; accident benefit (doubles insured amount to a maximum of R20,000 for the main insured before 60th birthday, within 90 days of accident); cover up to four parents; up to six extended family members; survivor benefit (six equal monthly instalments); breadwinner benefit; special non-guaranteed bonuses; pay premiums at AVBOB branch, debit order, stop order or at PEP, Shoprite, Pick n Pay, Boxer, Checkers, Usave.
• Insurance Scheme for Pensioners (Group Funeral Insurance for Pensioners): Extra cover option covers municipal grave costs, removing/amending an existing tombstone, cremation fees, payments to church officials, fresh flowers.
• Extended Family Funeral Cover: Cover for whole family, parents, parents-in-law and extended family members (page gives no amounts).

Sources: avbob.co.za/...avbob/cashback-funeral-cover, avbob.co.za/...ral-insurance-for-pensioners, avbob.co.za/...xtended-family-funeral-cover.

The policy pays its full insured amount in cash. Separately, AVBOB advertises free funeral benefits from AVBOB Funeral Service for policyholders, on top of that payout. These apply only if you appoint AVBOB Funeral Service to conduct the funeral, and AVBOB sets conditions such as how long the policy has been in force and whether your premiums are up to date.

AVBOB's own pages have given different values for these benefits in different places. We therefore do not quote a figure here. Ask AVBOB for the current benefit in writing, and ask what it includes, before you decide who will conduct the funeral.

The free funeral benefits apply only if AVBOB Funeral Service conducts the funeral. If you want to use another parlour, ask AVBOB first how that affects what you receive.

Checked on 30 September 2026 against AVBOB Funeral Service's official website. Numbers change, so confirm on the linked page before you call. AVBOB Funeral Service will never ask you to pay a claim fee or send money to a new bank account; if a caller does, hang up and phone the official number.

Sources: avbob.co.za/general/contact-us, avbob.co.za/general/how-to-claim.

Cashback Funeral Cover covers the main insured person and spouse, parents and extended family members, and children depending on their age. The plans table above shows the cover amounts. It also lists extras such as cash for every five consecutive claim-free years, a survivor benefit paid in six equal monthly instalments, a breadwinner benefit and an accident benefit. AVBOB does not publish a premium table for this cover, so ask for a quote. It also says that special bonuses are not guaranteed.

The pensioners scheme is for older people. The minimum age of the main insured person is 55 for a once-off payment and 65 for a monthly premium policy. Anyone older than 84 must use the once-off payment. A once-off payment has no waiting period, and monthly premiums carry the six month waiting period for natural death. There is an optional extra cover that pays for things such as municipal grave costs, cremation fees, church officials and flowers.

Extended Family Funeral Cover is for the whole family, including parents, parents-in-law and extended family. AVBOB's page gives no amounts, so ask for a quote.

The six month waiting period applies to all benefits for all insured people and starts on the day the policy is issued. It can be waived in part or in full if you had cover with another insurer that lapsed or was cancelled within 31 days before the issue date. Keep proof of that earlier cover.

Phone AVBOB on 0861 28 26 21. The same number is used for claims, policy enquiries and 24-hour funeral arrangements. You can also start on the how to claim page.

AVBOB lists these documents:

• A copy of the computerised death certificate, stamped by an AVBOB official or certified.
• A copy of the deceased's ID, or both sides of the ID smart card, stamped by the branch or certified.
• A copy of the claimant's ID, stamped or certified, and the beneficiary's ID if it is a different person.
• A copy of a valid bank statement of the claimant or beneficiary.
• For an unnatural death, a declaration by the South African Police Service.
• For an accident benefit claim, the SAPS report, the post-mortem report and any court judgments or findings.

AVBOB's FAQ says a claim will be processed within 48 hours once the documents are verified as authentic, and terms and conditions apply. It also says some claims are randomly selected for a fraud assessment, which takes 3 days on average and up to 21 days. Send clear, certified copies to avoid delays.

Ask AVBOB for the reason in writing and the clause it relies on. Waiting periods, unpaid premiums and fraud are the usual reasons funeral claims are declined. South African rules say an insurer must decide a funeral claim within two business days of receiving every document it requires, and that a late premium paid inside the grace period should not defeat a valid claim.

AVBOB publishes a complaints email address in the contact table above. If it does not resolve the matter, complain to the National Financial Ombud Scheme. It is free. Phone 0860 800 900, email [email protected] or use the form on nfosa.co.za. Keep copies of everything you send.

• Which policy am I buying, and what is the cover amount for each person?
• What is the premium for each person, and does it change with age?
• Do the free funeral benefits apply to me, what do they include today, and what conditions must I meet?
• Is the six month waiting period being waived because of my earlier cover? Get it in writing.
• Which family members can I add, and up to what age?
• What happens if I miss a premium, and when does cover stop?
• Which branch or agency will arrange the funeral where we plan to bury?
• Are the bonuses guaranteed? AVBOB says its special bonuses are not.