This case that has made headlines in the last 7 days on various social media platforms.

It is rather interesting to follow this case and see how social media pressure can change a ruling from a big corporation like Old Mutual.

The question on everybody’s lips is: Was it necessary to go through all of this for Old Mutual to do the right thing?

Let’s look at what happened:

On the 23th August 2017 the story broke on 702 and on News 24 about the claim repudiation from Old Mutual.

• Old Mutual rejected claim

In this particular case of Renei Kruger claim rejected by Old Mutual on reason of non-disclosure. In the first place Brent Kruger did not die of any ill-health sickness or chronic diseases. He died of a bullet after been shot at in a cross fire gun battle.

His death has nothing to do with this fake “non-disclosure” policy clause. All I can advise Renei is to approach the Insurance Ombudsman and present her case for review.

It would be understandable if on the time of death Brent life policy was in arrears, this would be then the reason to reject and decline the claim. However, in this case their policy lapsed but was reinstated and reactivated on the 15 June 2017, meaning that that the policy was active.

For the claim to be further explored, the Kruger’s medical practitioner must provide all the relevant medical history of Brent and to explain the reason why he suggested that he must do some exercises to shed some extra weight, thus his diet was changed.

It is typical of the insurance companies to scrutinize any policy when it is payback time, because they are looking for any loop holes in order to decline the claim.

Renei must just approached the Insurance Ombudsman to look into this matter and make a ruling

Read this article on News 24 – http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/old-mutual-reject-claim-brent-kgruger-20170824

News of this particular claim and comments on social media shot up overnight. A lot of people was very confused and angry about the outcome and lashed out over social media. On the 23 August 2017 this article was released on 702’s website to explain Old Mutual’s reasons for repudiating the claim.

• Old Mutual explains why it declined payout on murder victim’s policy.

Cape Town – An Atlantis woman whose husband was shot dead in crossfire while dropping his child off at creche was stunned when financial services company Old Mutual rejected a life policy claim because he had not declared a medical condition.

“He was shot. He did not die of high blood pressure, or sugar diabetes,” said Renei Kruger, as she tried to make sense of the upsetting turn of events.

According to the police report at the time, Brent Kruger, 32, was dropping their young daughter off at crèche on June 22 when a bullet struck him. He was still in his vehicle, and he died at the scene.

Four teens between 15 and 18 have been arrested and charged with murder.

Brent had been the bread winner in the family, so even though she was devastated, Renei knew that at least she and their three girls had been provided for through the life insurance policy he had been paying.

Tough times

However, when she claimed, she was told that it would not be paid out because he had never disclosed that he was being treated for diabetes.

“He did not have diabetes. The doctor advised him to do exercise and lose some weight,” said Kruger.

“We used to go for walks, and we changed his diet. It was just routine advice.”

He was not receiving insulin or any chronic medication for diabetes either, she said.

Times have been tough for her and the girls. Shortly after her husband was killed, she discovered she was pregnant.

She and the girls are living with family at the moment.

She does not have a car to use because Brent’s car lurched forward into a vibracrete fence when he was shot.

She does not have the money to fix it because she no longer has the work that she did for Brent in the office at his cupboard manufacturing business.

Lapsed policy

She said they had started paying the policy premiums – around R600 a month – two years ago.

However, the business went through a dry spell and the policy lapsed because they had not paid the premium for a few months. When they were on their feet again, they signed papers to start paying again, and it was reactivated on June 15.

Seven days later her husband was dead.

“It is hard. The other night I just cried. I miss my husband.”

Jaco Gouws, Old Mutual Protection Product head, said it is important to understand the difference between life cover that is not underwritten, like a funeral plan, to life cover that is underwritten to take risk into account.

In the latter, the applicant provides health and medical information that Old Mutual accepts in good faith to determine the level of risk and the level of cover.

“When we assessed this particular claim, it appeared that Mr Kruger had a pre-existing medical condition that was not disclosed in his application.

“This information was material to the risk assessment and would have impacted our decision to offer the cover. This non-disclosure therefore undermines the validity of the original contract.

“As part of our review process, and given the additional information provided by Mrs Kruger, we will ask the nominated doctor to forward the relevant medical records and other pertinent information related to Mr Kruger’s change of health. This information will enable us to reassess the original claim,” said Gouws.

He added that Old Mutual pays out 99% of underwritten death claims, and the company is committed to resolving the Kruger matter “fairly and urgently”.

Read article on: http://www.702.co.za/articles/269507/old-mutual-explains-why-it-declined-pay-out-on-murder-victim-s-policy

Then on Friday the 25th August 2017 Old Mutual folded under social media pressure and the below article was released:

• Old Mutual pays out murder victim’s policy in full

Kruger was gunned down in gang crossfire and died on the spot.

Old Mutual initially refused to pay out on a claim on the 32-year-old’s life insurance on the grounds that Kruger had an undisclosed medical condition.

Kruger’s wife, Renei, was adamant her husband was diagnosed after he took the policy with Old Mutual and not before.

She said that after his diagnosis, a doctor advised him to change his lifestyle and he was told he no longer had that condition.

READ MORE: http://www.capetalk.co.za/articles/269507/old-mutual-explains-why-it-declined-pay-out-on-murder-victim-s-policy

This new information means that the non-disclosure was not material as initially presented and therefore, the contract was valid.

— Jaco Gouws, Old Mutual Product Protection Head

We are pleased to confirm that we will now pay the claim in full. We spoke to Mrs Kruger and shared our findings.

— Jaco Gouws, Old Mutual Product Protection Head

We once again share our condolences and apologies for the stress this process has caused her and her family during a difficult time.

— Jaco Gouws, Old Mutual Product Protection Head

This matter came to light when Dr Grant Munro, Kruger’s doctor, called in on CapeTalk’s Breakfast Show to explain how he felt helpless by Old Mutual’s decision to refuse a payout on the life insurance claim.

Renei shared her appreciation and thanked CapeTalk and Old Mutual for helping her resolve the matter.

She says she will now be able to take care of her three daughters.

Renei shared with CapeTalk’s Kieno Kammies that she has a little one on the way and that she only found out she was pregnant after her husband’s funeral.

Why is it that there is so many cases like this case?

Is my own father’s death case any different to this one?

– read my story http://discloseall.co.za/the-story-behind-discloseall/

Is your policy next in line for repudiation?

What can you do to avoid this from being you and your family?

The only answer to all the above questions is: Contact us, we will ensure that you and your family has a fair opportunity to get your claim paid out.

Let us make a difference in your life, while we still have the time to so.