Your rights and policy questions

There is no simple nationwide R100,000 total-payout rule for every adult across all insurers. Funeral-class rules use a R100,000 starting limit with annual CPI increases; the policy structure and insurance class matter.

The regulators’ 2020 clarification describes the limit per life, per policy concluded with a particular policyholder, and additional aggregation rules for microinsurance. Insurers may also impose contractual combined limits.

We don’t calculate a current legal ceiling. Ask your insurer to confirm the applicable amount and basis in writing.

For policies within Rule 2A’s scope, Rule 2A.8.3 prevents rejection for non-disclosure of information the insurer never specifically requested before inception. PPR Rule 21 also requires materiality: an insurer may rely on a misrepresentation or non-disclosure only where a reasonable, prudent person would consider it likely to have materially affected the insurer’s ability to assess the risk. Ask for the actual question, your recorded answer and the insurer’s explanation.

For policies covered by Rule 2A, natural-cause waiting periods are limited to the shorter of six months or one-quarter of the term. Accidental-event benefits cannot have a waiting period. Pre-existing illness exclusions are restricted. Qualifying replacement cover may receive waiting-period credit.

There isn’t an automatic refund just because policies overlap. The wording, sales disclosures and circumstances matter. Ask the insurer to explain whether it accepted premiums for a benefit it now says cannot pay, and request a refund assessment. An unresolved dispute can go to the NFO.

The Long-term Insurance Amendment Bill B17–2026 proposes overlap checks within insurers, written explanations, cancellation opportunities and refunds for specified failures. It also proposes that non-disclosure of another policy alone should not invalidate cover.

Proposed law, not a current entitlement: our research on 29 October 2026 found no confirmation of assent or commencement. Check Parliament for subsequent developments.