How to deal with PPI claim when I didn't know I had PPI

Camster

I followed the advice on MSE and submitted a PPI claim enquiry before the August 2019 deadline to a number of banks that I could possibly have had PPI with, although I didn't think I had ever taken it out.

Most of them came back with a negative trace as expected, but the Royal Bank of Scotland have responded saying I did have PPI and have sent me a 12 page questionnaire to complete within 14 days of the date on their letter (3rd January 2020). I only received it today, so I don't have much time to respond.

As I didn't know I had PPI, I can't answer most of the questions on the form, so I'm looking for advice on the best way to proceed with this.

[Deleted User]

Just put what you can answer. Don't make anything up.

[Deleted User]

Camster wrote: »

As I didn't know I had PPI, I can't answer most of the questions on the form, so I'm looking for advice on the best way to proceed with this.

In this case, as with every other, you just fill in the form as honestly and completely as you can. If there are questions you cannot answer, you should simply respond "don't know".

You should also realise that it's a myth, sponsored by Claim Companies, that PPI was routinely added without the knowledge and permission of the customer.
So if you have been told you had a policy, it generally means you've just forgotten agreeing to it.

While this does not preclude you from complaint, it's very unlikely to be upheld if you simply accuse them of adding it without your knowledge. Remember it's not somehow "wrong" to have insurance.
Was this perhaps for a store card, I wonder, and one which you rarely used and so have forgotten about?

Camster

You should also realise that it's a myth, sponsored by Claim Companies, that PPI was routinely added without the knowledge and permission of the customer.

I read the MSE guidance on submitting claims which advised to submit a claim even if you don't think you had PPI, because it was sometimes added without peoples knowledge. Is the MSE guidance wrong about this point?

I keep pretty good records of things like loans and credit cards, and I can't find anything related to taking out PPI in any of my paperwork. I also had very secure employment during the period this would relate to, so wouldn't have had much need for PPI, so it's a bit of a mystery at the moment.

[Deleted User]

Camster wrote: »

I read the MSE guidance on submitting claims which advised to submit a claim even if you don't think you had PPI, because it was sometimes added without peoples knowledge. Is the MSE guidance wrong about this point?

As I said, it's a myth that it was routinely just added and the advice is simply to encourage those who may have forgotten they had PPI to complain because there may be other reasons the PPI was mis-sold. The Claim Companies do the same thing (but to drum up extra custom).

Of course, if you have compelling evidence that the PPI WAS just added without your knowledge and permission you should submit this evidence with your complaint.

Otherwise, I stand by my earlier response.

Camster wrote: »

I also had very secure employment during the period this would relate to, so wouldn't have had much need for PPI

Unless you were in the Police etc, this is not a valid reason to complain either I'm afraid. Your "secure employment" was not immune to redundancy and you could not predict at the time that you would remain employed (or not fall ill)

EDIT:
In your position, I would ignore the 14 day deadline the Bank have imposed on returning the complaint form and instead do some actual research about this PPI. Send the Bank a Subject Access Request (SAR) asking specifically for all information they hold on the PPI policy. On receipt of this you should be more able to construct a convincing mis-selling complaint than in your current (very weak) position.
Returning the form later than 14 days will not harm your complaint.

david_8209

CAN i SAY I DONT AGReE TO AN OFFER FOR a ppi settlement?, is it correct that claims money paid out of a ppi policy should be deducted from an offer for settlement??? all they have done is offer to repay my ppi premiums? this is ludicrous!

[Deleted User]

Its entirely correct that any claims payout is reduced from the premiums. You don't get free cover AND a payout. That would indeed be ludicrous.

If you don't want the redress then tell them, but its not negotiable.

david_8209

xx81 do they also have a right to deduct all claims paid out? from the offer? and not just repaying my premiums,? surely if i was missold the policy in the first place and it was never suitable or appropriate, i have a right to claim for inconvenience and illconsideration? rather than just the refunded premiums?

[Deleted User]

david_8209 wrote: »

xx81 do they also have a right to deduct all claims paid out? from the offer? and not just repaying my premiums,? surely if i was missold the policy in the first place and it was never suitable or appropriate, i have a right to claim for inconvenience and illconsideration? rather than just the refunded premiums?

You're lucky they upheld it. If the policy wasnt suitable, yet you successfully claimed on it, it's surprising you got anything back.

[Deleted User]

david_8209 wrote: »

i have a right to claim for inconvenience and illconsideration?

I'm afraid you cannot make such a "claim"

Your posts are not clear.
What exactly has the Bank refunded you?

Is there a defaulted debt?

Or are they just refunding your premiums as a goodwill gesture with no acknowledgement that the policy was mis-sold?

Or did you actually claim on the insurance at an earlier date?

david_8209

thanks money inept,
"If, as seems likely, you had outstanding unpaid defaulted debt it's not "ludicrous" but utterly fair that this debt should be offset against your PPI award"

I never owed any premiums on my ppi policy i just got totally fed up with the meanness of the ppi company so after a complaint with santander, just stopped paying for the policy so it became "paid up".

"A settlement involves the Bank accepting a reduced final payment in exchange for agreeing to consider the debt ended, but they are not obligated to do this nor to accept a settlement offer which they regard as too little".


so moneyinept are you saying its a totally discretionary decision on the part of the bank that missold the ppi policy as to the volumn of the ppi settlement offer? its been such a scandalous policy selling ppi. surely there is a statutory scale and guidance?