Argos Additions - PP Insurance Claim

sammy115

Last year when my OH got made redundant, I had payment protection on my argos additions account. At that time the balance was approx £380.

It has taken Sterling Insurance twelve months to finally agree to pay out and they will pay the balance outstanding as at last year.

However, since then, we have had twelve months of interest, non-payment charges and monthly payment protection charges. RESULT - the debt is now over £600. There is a shortfall. It does state on the paperwork that we should carry on paying monthly payments until the insurance is sorted out, but we couldn't afford to.

This debt has also been passed to a debt collection agency. I have been in contact with them to ask them for a copy of my signed credit agreement. They sent me a copy of a credit agreement (filled in by them - they got my name wrong - and not signed by me). Someone on this site gave me the wording for a very strong letter asking for the real agreement. This I know can't be produced, as I didn't sign one.

My question is, do I ring the debt collection agency or Argos additions to argue over the outstanding amount.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I might say to them to get them to drop the remaining balance.

Any help would be much appreciated. It would be one debt wiped out in one fell stroke.

Sam

lynzpower

Sam, I cant offer you the right letter, but i bleieve you are completely correct. No signed credit agreement.. no debt.. is what I bleieve xx

Emmzi

Sam,

put your point in writing to the insurers, stating that you do not feel 12 months is an acceptable time for a payout, especially for a policy designed to protect people in times of financial hardship. Remind them of when you sent claim in, and how helpful you have been providing all the paperwork they asked for :-)

Tell them that you will give them 8 weeks to reply - this is the amout of time allowed by the financial ombudsman.

Also make them aware that you would like an agreement to make good your loss within that 8 weeks, or a letter explaining why they will not do it, so you can refer the matter to the ombudsman in 8 weeks time.

I had a look at their web site and Sterling are covered by the financial ombudsman scheme.

http://www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk/faq/index.htm

Emmzi

sammy115

No signed credit agreement no debt!! Thats right. I would just love to ring someone up and get them to write it off now though.

Just read your post about spending paralysis. Its like being an alcoholic isn't it. You are scared that one drink/spend will send you back to your old ways. The thing is you are spending this money on items that will improve your house/lodger lifestyle. As other people have said 'an investment'. This is not money that you have spent treating yourself because you are sad/happy/upset/whatever, its because you need it.

Spend it and enjoy it knowing that you have budgeted for it and done it for the right reasons.

Sam