Relax Finance PPI, like Payment Protection Insurance (PPI) generally, was designed to cover loan or credit card repayments if you were unable to work due to illness, accident, or unemployment. Offered alongside loans and credit cards sold by Relax Finance, the idea was to provide a safety net, ensuring payments were met during difficult times.
However, similar to widespread issues across the UK financial sector, many Relax Finance PPI policies were mis-sold. This means that the policy was either unsuitable for the customer’s needs or sold unfairly. Common examples of mis-selling include:
- Being unaware of the policy: Customers were sometimes unaware they were even paying for PPI, as it was added without their explicit consent or properly explained.
- Being told it was compulsory: Salespeople sometimes pressured customers into buying PPI by implying it was required to get the loan or credit card. This is against regulations.
- Unsuitable coverage: The policy didn’t actually cover the customer’s circumstances. For example, self-employed individuals might have been sold policies that didn’t cover their specific employment situation. Or those with pre-existing medical conditions might have purchased policies that excluded those conditions.
- Lack of transparency: The terms and conditions of the policy were not properly explained, making it difficult for customers to understand the limitations of the coverage.
Due to these widespread mis-selling practices, a significant claims process unfolded. Many customers who believed they were mis-sold PPI by Relax Finance (or any other financial institution) had the right to make a claim for compensation. This compensation could cover the premiums paid, plus interest.
The deadline for making PPI claims, set by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), passed on August 29, 2019. This means you can no longer submit a new claim for mis-sold PPI. Prior to this deadline, individuals could typically make a claim directly to Relax Finance, through the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) if they were unhappy with the response from Relax Finance, or through claim management companies.
While the deadline has passed, it’s important to be aware of scams targeting individuals who may have previously inquired about PPI claims. Scammers might try to impersonate legitimate financial institutions or claim management companies, offering to “reopen” claims for a fee. It’s crucial to be vigilant and avoid providing personal information or paying any upfront fees to anyone making unsolicited offers related to PPI.
In summary, Relax Finance PPI was a type of insurance that aimed to protect borrowers against payment difficulties. However, widespread mis-selling occurred, leading to a large-scale claims process. The official claim deadline has now passed, but awareness of potential scams related to PPI remains crucial.