Reclaim Sentinel Card Protection article discussion

Nasqueron

Lucy - just wait for the refund vote thing to come through - read the MSE guide here:

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/Sentinel-Affinion-card-protection?_ga=1.96708316.2121640544.1378984872

Lizzie1975

Newbie to this forum. I hope this observation might be helpful to someone. Having voluntarily started a Sentinel policy years ago to cover my Barclaycard I have no reason to seek compensation. Over the years it has proved worthwhile on the odd occasion when a card has perhaps been compromised or one of the kids thought they lost one of theirs. However I was flummoxed today when I received an information letter from AI at my mother's address which is also my working address. I have never had my policy registered at that address.

The chap at AI's helpline had so little information and was so unwilling to give anything away that he bordered on obstructive so I phoned Sentinel to see if they could shed any light. I was usefully told that they send letters out on the basis of info provided by a bank (for an account) or card provider and they are not given much info to start with. But she was able to tell me that the letter referred to a bank card (not an account, as the useless chap had said) issued in 1995. Also that as Barclays have access to credit record info (whereas Sentinel don't), the letter had probably been sent to the address as an 'associated address' as Barclays would not know whether my home address held by Sentinel is still in use, and using all known addresses would help to ensure that at least one letter gets to the addressee.

As the address it was sent to is genuinely an associated address for me, complicated by the fact that I have PoA for my mother, this confused me as I thought perhaps I had unwittingly been paying for protection on a business card or maybe on something I hold for my mum. Sentinel confirmed however that I have only the one policy with them, and mentioned that I should think carefully about whether to vote for compensation (if any due) as, if it was paid out, the Sentinel policy would automatically be cancelled. I want to keep my cover in place and yet I am concerned that there are loose ends I can't track down.

It seems to me that for people whose financial matters are anything more than very simple, the AI letters might be confusing and could lead to unwanted cancellation of protection policies.

I was also told that the 'Scheme Reference Number' on the letter is a ref no for the letter only and doesn't indicate that I have been made a member of a scheme that I either did or did not sign up to.

They could have designed this better, and put a rider in the letter that all known addresses are being used to contact policyholders and not to vote in favour if you want to keep the policy going.

tattonlady

Success !I phoned Barclaycard last Friday, re.Sentinal, and explained I hadn't the paperwork ,I had shredded it.I asked them if I had a policy pre 2000; They said I had.The lady took my bank account details,and filed a complaint form.I received a refund in my account on Wednesday for 9 years payments pre 2005 plus 8 %.I am awaiting a letter from Sentiinal to claim eventually from 2005. Barclaycard were really helpful.Tattonlady

burstcouch1

Carefulspender1 wrote: »

I was sold a card protection scheme under the name of Cardwise in 1992 by Nat West bank. I'm not sure but I think Sentinel took over Cardwise a couple of years later - I do know that from 1995 up until last year, when I realised the fraud insurance cover was not necessary, I had a Sentinel Gold policy.


I understand that years prior to 2005 cannot be reclaimed however I feel that between 2005 and 2013 at least I was misled by Sentinel - can I make a claim?


Many thanks.

I am in the same situation as you and with the same companies. It looks like we will have to apply directly to the bank who sold us the original cardwise pre 2005. I can't see them refusing as if it goes through the high court then how can they??
We live in hope.

covgirl70

Gardening_gremlin wrote: »

I too need to know if we can claim on behalf of my FIL's estate and how to go about it please?

New to this but I need to know this too as my mother received a letter addressed to my late father the other day. I told her not to ignore but will they pay to my mother as his widow?

Curious2012

Hi, I'm on a debt management plan and did have a silver account with lloyds bank. I paid multiple fees for this account, I did not ask for the upgrade I only asked for a small overdraft, I was charged account fees and overdraft fees. My question is since I never asked for the account upgrade only the overdraft, would I be able to claim any money back? And I could would I get it or would it go to my debt management plan?

60sGirl_2

I would also like to know if I can claim on behalf of my father who passed away in November 2014. He took out Sentinal Gold and his, my mum and my brother's cards were in it. We got the letter today but it was addressed to my dad. I can't see why we shouldn't be able to claim but would like a bit of reassurance.

LyndaP

My mum had sentential protection from the early 90's but in 2005 Halifax wrote to her to change ti to their own scheme with St Andrew's Membership Services Limited. Will see still be able to to claim? It was an automatic transfer unless she told them otherwise. thank you for any advice.


December 2015 - Mum got £450 refund! YAY

tattonlady

I am still waiting for a letter from Sentinal.As I mentioned in an earlier post,Barclaycard paid out pre 2005, in a matter of days.I had a sentinal policy from 2005 until 2011.I wondered if other claimants were still awaiting letters from Sentinal.They have up to February 23rd to send them.

AgentWD40

I would also like to know how this affects the estate of people who have died. My wife died last year and she'd had Sentinel for a very long time ( probably pre 2000 ).

It would obviously be wrong for me to vote 'Yes' in May/June in her name.