Claiming on ppi to give up work to be carer.

fedupalot

Hello - hope someone can advise me with this problem.

Basically I gave up work last November to care for husband who receives attendance allowance and is unable to cope at home alone. I claimed and receive carers allowance. No problem there.

The trouble I have is claiming on PPI to clear off the debt on my credit card.I have sent off reams of information requested by the credit card company ( Halifax ) but after nearly four months there is still no end in sight.
The main problem I have is the number of calls I keep getting from the Halifax chasing monthly payments - sometimes I've received three calls in a day! I keep repeating over and over again to them that the insurance claim is being processed and that I can't pay anything as I don't have the money. After one heated phone call they sent me a cheque for £20 in recognition of the hassle I had with them. Have told them I don't want the money, just want the problem sorted! Have chased the insurance company several times for details of the progress being made, but have been told that they are still waiting for details from my ex-employer, even though I have already given them a copy of my letter of resignation to my ex-boss stating the reason for giving up work.

Please help - what should I do? Thought I was a strong person but am getting worn down by it all, feeling really stressed.

lisyloo

Have you raised a formal compalint yet?

fedupalot

No - haven't put in a complaint.
In one of the recent calls, I told them that their actions amounted to harassment, then they cut me off! Have told them that I was considering reporting them to the ombudsman, but not sure if this is the right thing to do. Have also told them to take me to court - I(had really felt as though I had had enough them)

Not sure which way to go next.

opinions4u

Ok. You have two issues going on here.

1) The insurer is unable to pay out because your former employer hasn't provided them with the evidence they need. For all they know the letter you've provided them is made up.

2) The lender wants you to make payments. At the moment your credit file is getting trashed.

Can you get your former employer to provide the insurer with what's needed? Email? Fax machine?

Ben8282

It's nice to see somebody actually trying to claim on PPI rather than trying to refund the premiums.

I am wondering here if the problem could be something to do with the way you left your job. It could be viewed as voluntry resignation.

Can you not at least make the mimimum payment until this is sorted out?

fedupalot

Hello opions 4u

Apparently the insurance company have tried several times by fax/email/phone to contact my ex-employer but no luck. He was/is an awkward person to put it mildly. Once someone has left his employ he wont do anything to help.

It might sound odd but I don't mind my credit rating being trashed. I have no intention of applying for any credit in the future - not after all this. Plus won't be able to work again with hubby as he is.
I have made a small payment, which I was told to do, to pay for the insurance cover to continue as otherwise I was told it would default.

fedupalot

Hello Ben8282

I was careful before I put in my resignation by reading up as much as I could find about claiming as a carer through the insurance, so I'm hoping this was ok. The insurance company seem to be ok with this - fingers crossed.

opinions4u

Ben8282 wrote: »

It's nice to see somebody actually trying to claim on PPI rather than trying to refund the premiums.

Reclaiming might be a good fall back position.

I am wondering here if the problem could be something to do with the way you left your job. It could be viewed as voluntry resignation.

For a fair few years Halifax PPI included "Carer Cover" as standard. But they will want verification that the customer has actually left employment. Accepting a photocopy of a letter from the customer is rather open to abuse. It needs something official from the former employer.

Can you not at least make the mimimum payment until this is sorted out?

It's a loan.

OP: Is there anybody else in your former employer's business who could assist?

lisyloo

I would raise a formal complaint, both about the harrasement and the insurance taking so long.
It's not your fault if the employer won't comply. They must have alternatives in this situaion. What if the employer died?
I am pretty sure they are not allowed to harrass you like this.

Fornal Complaints go to a seperate department and oftern they have powers.
Make sure you follow the procedure and write to the correct address.

You can use the free ombudsman service but only once you have exhausted the companies complaints procedure so you should start ASAP.
It will only cost you letters and stamps, but it can take a while.
It may also stop the harrassement.

I'm not sure of the exact set up here, but you may need two complaint if the insurer and the company harassing you are seperate companies.

Ben8282

opinions4u wrote: »

It's a loan.

No. The OP clearly states that it's a credit card.

lisyloo

It needs something official from the former employer.

So what if they employer outright refuses?
What if they are a sole trader and die? or are off sick?
The insurer cannot just abandon their obligations to the policyholder because a 3rd party is unwilling or unable to comply with their requests.
They have a contractual obligation.
There must be other methods - P45? Inland Revenue paperwork?

It is not acceptable for insurers to do nothing simply because a 3rd party won't provide proof.