PPI reclaim for a terminally ill family member

mrcow

Hello

I am just after some advice on the best way to proceed with a number of PPI reclaims that I will be doing for a family member.

The issue is not quite straightforward as she is terminally ill and has a prognosis of only weeks, so will not see through the reclaim process.

I have 100% no question that she has been missold insurance left, right and centre. She has always been very trusting of banks, and has been sold PPI on everything she ever had, including loans and credit cards, mounting to many thousands of pounds, despite e.g. not even working at the time/being a pensioner.

My query is what is the best way to proceed?

Is it better for her to sign authorisation for dealing with the reclaim over to her daughter now and then to continue, or for her to sign letters for the initial reclaim first as she will be able to state herself that it was never made clear to her that the insurance was not something that was compulsory?

May thanks in advance for any help.

DrSqueeze

I would suggest two things:

1. That the initial complaint letters are drafted for her to sign and then sent to the bank(s)

2. That she signs a letter of authority now (best to have several done and signed as originals) for someone else to deal with the complaint on her behalf - but hold this back for the time being

If she becomes too unwell to deal with the complaint or sign forms before it is completed, you will have a letter of authority for someone else to deal with her correspondence on her behalf.

When the sadly inevitable happens, any unfinished complaints will need to be dealt with by her executor(s). So, if that's not the person who will have the letter of authority, then they need to be kept in the picture. Keep all correspondence safe and in order - it will make things much simpler.

mrcow

Thank you.

Actually more than thank you - you've been so helpful. It's really good advice. I will do both.

Insider101

If you have a lasting power of attorney then I would enclose that, though if not a signed letter of authority should do.

Any redress would probably require a grant of probate to pay out, though different banks do have different policies depending on the amount.

If she has credible first hand testimony regarding what went on at any of the sales makes sure you get that down in writing and signed. If the insured has passed away then it becomes a lot harder as an executor can only give complaint reasons they know to be factual (e .g employment status or health conditions) and cannot really speculate on what may or may not have happened at the time.