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Can I still make a PPI claim in the UK?

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UKPublished 6 October 2026 · Written by BuyMeWhiskey Editorial Team · How we check facts

Most new UK PPI complaints had to be made by 29 August 2019, so a normal new complaint in 2026 is usually out of time. Narrow exceptions remain, and some court routes may still exist. Do not pay a refund firm upfront without checking its.

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Check the FCA's current PPI guidance before paying anyone to pursue a claim, because the ordinary complaint deadline passed in 2019 and refund scams are still a risk.

Check FCA PPI complaint guidance

The normal PPI complaint deadline has passed

The Financial Conduct Authority set 29 August 2019 as the deadline for most consumers to complain to the firm that sold them PPI. For a person first looking into an old PPI policy in 2026, the ordinary complaint route is therefore generally closed.

That does not mean every conceivable PPI issue is impossible. The FCA lists narrow circumstances in which the deadline does not apply. You should identify exactly why you think you are entitled to redress before sending documents or paying a claims company.

There are narrow exceptions

The FCA says the 2019 deadline does not apply to a complaint about PPI bought after 29 August 2017. It also does not apply in a specific situation where PPI was bought before 29 August 2017, the cover was still in force on 29 August 2017, and the complaint follows a full or partial rejection of an insurance claim because of ineligibility, an exclusion or a limitation.

Those exceptions are narrower than “I had PPI and never complained”. A historic policy being unknown to you in 2026 is not, by itself, a new complaint deadline.

PPI redress is not just a percentage of the loan

There is no reliable one-line formula such as “refund 20% of the loan”. The FCA’s PPI redress rules can involve the PPI payments, the interest charged because the PPI was financed, and in relevant cases simple interest. The calculation depends on the product, the payment history and the reason for redress.

For older cases, obtain the agreement, account statements and any previous complaint response. A firm should explain the calculation rather than offering an unexplained lump sum. If the policy was on a loan, the way the premium affected the loan balance can matter.

Plevin and commission-related complaints

Some historic PPI redress concerns the disclosure of commission and unfair relationships under section 140A of the Consumer Credit Act. The FCA’s guidance describes a methodology based on the difference between commission paid and a 50% benchmark, historic interest and 8% simple interest. That is a specialist calculation and does not mean every old PPI policy automatically qualifies.

Do not assume that a claims firm can create a new right simply by filling in a form. First establish whether the complaint is still legally available and which redress rules actually apply.

What about going to court?

The FCA says the 29 August 2019 complaint deadline does not itself stop court claims about PPI. However, court claims are subject to legal rules, including limitation periods and evidence requirements. A court case is not a shortcut around every time limit.

Because litigation can cost money and carry risk, get independent legal advice before relying on a court route. Do not confuse the ability to complain to a business or the Financial Ombudsman Service with the separate question of whether a court claim is available.

Watch for PPI refund scams

The FCA warns that unexpected messages promising a large PPI refund in exchange for an upfront payment are often scams. A genuine refund does not need a stranger to take control of your bank account or ask you to pay a fee to “release” money.

If you are contacted by a claims-management company, check its authorisation on the FCA Firm Checker. If the contact is unexpected, use contact details you find independently rather than the phone number or link in the message.

What records help with a genuine claim?

The lender or insurer’s name and account number.
Old statements or loan agreements.
The date the PPI started and ended.
Evidence of how premiums were paid and whether they were added to borrowing.
Any previous complaint response or redress calculation.

If you cannot find old documents, ask the original provider what records remain. The FCA’s PPI guidance can help you understand whether the complaint is one of the narrow cases still open.

Do you need to pay a claims company?

No rule says you have to use a claims-management company to make a complaint. The FCA has consistently said complaining directly is free and most consumers do not need a claims firm. If your issue is genuinely complicated, independent legal advice may be more useful than paying a percentage of an uncertain refund.

Worked example

Illustrative calculation only: suppose a historic PPI complaint produced £600 of basic redress under the applicable rules, and suppose the calculation also included 2 years of simple interest at 8% on that £600 amount.

Illustrative simple interest: £600 × 8% × 2 = £96.
Illustrative total: £600 + £96 = £696.

This is not a prediction of a PPI refund. Real PPI redress can contain different components and may be calculated from individual payments rather than one lump sum. The FCA's published examples show that timing and the exact payment history can materially change the calculation.

The illustrative figures are not a prediction of what a lender, bank or insurer would refund. A genuine PPI complaint depends on the policy history, the sale circumstances and the applicable redress method, so preserve old statements and policy documents where they still exist.

Can I claim PPI in 2026 if I never complained before?#

For most ordinary PPI complaints, no: the FCA’s 29 August 2019 deadline passed years ago. There are narrow exceptions, including certain complaints about policies bought after 29 August 2017 and some claim-rejection circumstances. Check the FCA guidance before doing anything else.

Where can I send an old PPI complaint?#

Start by identifying the firm that sold the PPI and checking the FCA’s current PPI guidance. If the complaint is within a remaining exception, follow the firm’s complaint process. Be cautious about paying a claims company when you may be able to act directly.

How do I calculate a PPI refund myself?#

There is no single percentage formula. Depending on the case, the calculation can involve premiums, financing interest, commission-related redress and simple interest. Obtain the provider’s detailed calculation and compare it with your account records rather than guessing from the original loan amount.

Can I still take a PPI case to court?#

The FCA says the 2019 complaint deadline does not itself prevent a court claim, but court action has its own legal rules and risks. The availability of a claim depends on the facts, limitation law and evidence. Get independent legal advice before starting proceedings.

Do I need a claims company to recover PPI money?#

No. The FCA says making a PPI complaint is free and most people should not need a claims-management company. A firm that asks for an upfront fee to release a promised refund should be treated with particular caution. Check the FCA information before paying a claims company, because ordinary complaint deadlines are long past.

How do I know a PPI refund message is genuine?#

Do not trust an unexpected call or email simply because the sender knows your name or an old loan number. The FCA warns about PPI refund scams. Verify the firm independently through the FCA Firm Checker and contact the original provider using details you find yourself.

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Next question →What happens to a refund if my credit card has been cancelled?

Sources

Figures were checked against these sources before publication. If a rule changes, we update the page and show the new date.

General information, not personal financial advice. Rules depend on your circumstances; check the official source or speak to a regulated adviser before acting.