Banks warned over new 'PPI products'

The Financial Services Authority (FSA) and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) have today published advice on dealing with a new generation of insurance and debt products.

It comes as banks are trying to put a deadline on reclaiming mis-sold PPI as early as summer 2014, a demand we strongly oppose. To be safe, Reclaim PPI for Free now (the link includes a template letter).

PPI, which covers loan or credit card payments when people cannot work, was widely mis-sold by financial services firms for years.

Latest figures show more than £8 billion has been repaid to victims since January 2011. The total industry-wide bill is estimated to reach at least £15 billion.

While firms have largely stopped selling controversial PPI, they have begun to develop replacement products. These include short-term income protection insurance or debt freeze/debt waivers linked to a credit agreement or mortgage.

The guidance states firms, when selling the new cover, should:

• Identify the target market.

• Ensure the cover meets the needs of that market.

• Avoid creating barriers preventing consumers from comparing, exiting or switching cover.

• Clearly state the cost and implications of taking out cover.