The Diaspora Insurance Claim Process.
The Diaspora Insurance Claim Process
When you make a claim with Diaspora Insurance, proof of death is one of the required documentation needed in order to process the claim. This is usually in the form of a Death Certificate, burial order or proof or death from hospital. This is much straight-forward in cases where the body is not missing. However, this is not so in cases where the body is missing. In most cases where the missing person is presumed dead, it is not possible to get a Death Certificate.
The next question that family members may have is.
Without a body and without a death certificate, can I make a claim with Diaspora Insurance?
Yes, with the Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan, it is possible to make a claim, without a body. This is provided a legally recognisable Declaration Of Presumed Dead Certificate is provided. A Declaration of Presumed Dead is granted if the court is satisfied that the missing person has died. For example, if the deceased was known to be in an earthquake zone and there is little chance of body retrieval. It can also be granted if the missing person has not been known to be alive for a minimum stipulated period.
How long does someone have to be missing to be declared dead?
How long before someone can be declared dead?
The minimum periods for presumption of death vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. For example, in England and Wales, you can make a claim for a ‘declaration of presumed death’ from the High Court if someone you know in England and Wales has been missing for at least 7 years, and you think they have died.
Source: Get a declaration of presumed death: Overview – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 26/02/2023
According to missingpeople.org.uk, if there is evidence that the person has died, a Presumption of Death can be made immediately. They say what matters is the strength of the evidence and not the period of time.
Presumption of Death for various countries
You can find some of the countries that have details of the stipulated periods and any other required details on this link Presumption of death – Wikipedia As laws keep on changing, it is important to check the updated information on the relevant authorities websites. These are usually government departments responsible for birth and death registrations or any equivalent. Again, if you cannot find your country on the above link, it is advisable to get the information from the relevant authorities.
Is a death certificate or Presumption of Death Certificate enough to make a Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan claim?
For proof of death, a death certificate or Presumption of Death Certificate is one of the documents needed when submitting for a claim with Diaspora Insurance. Other documents required are a Completed Claim Form, Proof of Identify of Beneficiary. To know more about this and how to make a claim, see more here How To Claim – Diaspora Insurance
Why the Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan is the best policy in complicated issues e.g. missing body.
The Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan is a Cash based policy, which means it pays cash on claim as opposed to service-based policies which do offer services. Service-based funeral policies offer caskets, transport, food and other burial related services.
Service-based Funeral Providers aka as Director Funeral Policies assume there will always be a body to bury. The absence of a body renders all benefits invalid, resulting in loss of benefit even in cases when the courts are satisfied that a person has died and have legally declared so. It is obvious there would be no need for a casket, transport or other burial related services in the absence of a body. These types of policies fall short and end up short-changing customers.
This is not the only reason why your service-based funeral provider will let you down. Read ‘Ten Scenarios where your Funeral Director Provided Policy Will Let You Down
Because the Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan is a cash-based policy, it is possible to disburse cash within 24 hours of providing the required documentation. The cash can be used for any purpose the family of the deceased sees fit. See ‘Why Cash is King’ video
In conclusion, yes, with the Diaspora Funeral Cash Plan, it is possible to make a claim, without a body. This is provided a legally recognisable Declaration Of Presumed Dead Certificate is provided.