Sanlam funeral cover

I opened a funeral cover last year 27 June 2017. This year May 2018. The person whom I opened the cover for passed on. I called sanlam with the aim of submitting a claim to pay for the funeral. To my suprise i was told waiting period is 12 months. Whereas the waiting period with an agent is 6 months for the very same cover. I was left with a month for it to be 12 months. They refused to pay and refused to give back the premiums paid for 11 months. Please advise of this is acceptable.