Old Mutual insurance has come under heavy fire for its ‘insensitive’ handling of a death benefit pay-out, which took a grim turn when mourners delivered the dead body of a family member to its KwaZulu-Natal offices.
According to the viral video circulating on social media and Old Mutual’s own responses to the matter, a family member of the deceased, desperate to resolve the protracted impasse relating to delayed policy payment, took matters into their own hands. The video footage shows grieving family members standing beside a body bag in Old Mutual’s KZN offices.
Watch: Dead body dropped off at Old Mutual to settle claim
[EXPOSE OLD MUTUAL] Family bring their dead family member after @OldMutualSA refused to pay their policy benefit. Old Mutual’s arrogance is stinking now. What a shame! May the soul of the poor person Rest In Peace. Plz Retweet. pic.twitter.com/Gk2QFQWkoM
— White Man Confession (@ConfessionWhite) November 19, 2019
Old Mutual employees swiftly removed the body from the premises and rebuffed the family members’ attempts to engage.
Old Mutual attracted further ire by its response to the incident on social media. The insurance company issued a statement, saying:
Good evening, this has been most unsettling and we are sympathetic towards the family during this difficult time. We can confirm that the claim was paid. Due to the sensitive nature of this matter, we will continue engaging directly with the family.
— Old Mutual SA (@OldMutualSA) November 19, 2019