Our mom passed away over four months ago. She purchased a paid up funeral plan back in the 1990s. She kept detailed records and periodically reminded me where she kept all her important papers. Everything, from the original policy information itself to the letters each time the company merged, changed its name, was allegedly bought out by another company to the letter stating her policy was now paid in full. Now the company is stalling on paying out. I'm not sure of the exact amount, because over the decades the policy may have gained in value.

At first the company claimed there was no record of mom's policy.

When told there were detailed records our mom kept, they changed their tune. The company tried to get us to send what we had to them, even the original policy, but we wouldn't get any of this information back. Really? If we sent everything to them, we'd no longer have any proof ourselves. This company began to appear shadier and shadier with each contact, and they're nationally known. Now, mainly as an investment company of some kind.

Mom's funeral service was paid in full, primarily by what she'd put aside over the years and the rest by family. She had a beautiful, spectacular even send off. Thanks to Advantage Funeral Home on McCallie Avenue. It's been frustrating for them too. This company has had their director jumping through all kinds of hoops as well. From saying the claim was being processed, after saying no such policy existed, to "Oh wait! We need more info," to having to fill out the same forms over and over, and claiming they needed a "Certificate of Performance." Which is not required of funeral homes in the state of Tennessee. I personally looked up the code.

The director at Advantage has done everything, and stood by us, although they didn't have to. After paying for services in full, Advantage could have walked away and let us deal with it alone. They've been marvelous and compassionate in their efforts to do everything possible, providing whatever the company asked for on our behalf. I wonder if there are other victims, but their deceased family member didn't preserve such detailed information as our mom kept.

Is there anyway we can have someone look into this matter? Are there state regulations that keep watch on behalf of the consumer on such matters? For me personally, it's no longer a matter of getting the policy paid as much as it's about principle and there might be other victims. Even if the policy was worth only a few dollars, at this point I'd still keep at the issue if only for the benefit of some other family who was told "there was no record of the policy" or kept the family jumping through hoops until they just gave up and walked away from the issue, and the family couldn't come up with the funds to pay for a decent burial for their deceased family member.

Brenda Washington

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Brenda, geez  what a bummer to apparently get scammed by this unscrupulous company. If it is an Insurance company they fall under the Regulation of the State Department of Insurance and Commerce.

You might try this , hope it helps.

Complaints for Insurance
Complaints about Insurance providers, including agents and companies, are handled by the Consumer Insurance Service Section's Online Complaint Form.

Contact the Consumer Insurance Services Section at (615) 741-2218 or 1-800-342-4029 with any questions pertaining to filing a complaint.

Douglas Jones