The Minefield that is PPI

ttbko

Afternoon all, This is my first posting so any advice would be really welcome. After a friend talking, at work this week, about her successes at claiming back some money from PPI's, I thought I'd give it a go. However, I have so many questions, I dont know where to start! Firstly, how do I prove the insurance was "mis-sold" if I have neither paperwork nor a recollection? Secondly, can I do this myself or do I have to finally respond to the unsolicited emails and calls I keep getting? If I can do it myself, should I do it direct through the websites of the companies concerned or is there a generic claim form somewhere? (On here, for example?)
Rather than take too much of your time, I'll stop here and hopefully, the more experienced amongst you will take pity on this poor soul (ok, stop with the sympathy vote!), much thanks in anticipation of some assistance.

dunstonh

Firstly, how do I prove the insurance was "mis-sold"

With verbal allegations of what was said then evidence is typically required as they will just say they didnt say that and you end up deadlocked. Most complaints get paid out on the basis of more provable facts. For instance, if you have 6 months full pay, 6 months half pay, then you didnt need it and it overlapped. Or if it was loan PPI and taken as a single premium and charged interest on.

Secondly, can I do this myself or do I have to finally respond to the unsolicited emails and calls I keep getting?

Claims companies have no more success than personal complaints and there are suggestions that they actually do worse. They use the same free-of-charge complaints process you would use.

If I can do it myself, should I do it direct through the websites of the companies concerned or is there a generic claim form somewhere?

There is information on what to do in the PPI complaints article on this site.

ALIBOBSY

There are many many threads where PPI has been paid out with no "proof" at all, but each claim depends on circumstances and the bank concerned as well as the type of PPI (front loaded ppi on loans seems to be really looked down on by the FOS and almost always gets paid out) and how long ago it was taken out (given the media coverage and FOS investigations many banks started to change their terms and selling practices from 2007 onwards).

Some banks are settling straight away before FOS action in almost all cases (eg barclays/halifax), some are refusing almost all cases even when evidence is held and forcing further action (eg capital one/citi), but the rates over all for finding in the customers favour are between 90-98% so the odds are with you.

Duns is right about claims companies don't use them, all they will do you can do for yourself easily and cheaply and they will charge a fortune for.

Ali x