Car Finance Claim: Deceased Relative
Car finance claim: deceased relatives' agreements stay covered by the FCA scheme, and you can estimate one here from the paperwork the family holds.
The free route: you can complain to the lender yourself for free. The FCA says you do not need a claims company or a law firm to take part in its scheme. Find the lender on the FCA's list.
Results
Enter your agreement details
Answer the starred questions to see your estimate.
Scheme status as of 13 October 2026: the FCA scheme rules (PS26/3) are in force but partly suspended by the Upper Tribunal since 1 July 2026. The hearing is listed for 16 to 26 February 2027, and no scheme payments are expected before 2027.
The calculator needs no sign up and passes nothing on, so no firm will contact you.
Scheme status as of 13 October 2026: the FCA scheme rules (PS26/3) are in force but partly suspended by the Upper Tribunal since 1 July 2026. The legal challenges are listed for 16 to 26 February 2027. Until the case ends, lenders do not have to calculate or pay compensation (redress), and no payments are expected before 2027.
Who can make the claim
A personal representative of the estate or a beneficiary can make the claim. The scheme covers agreements of customers who have since died (FCA), and a lender that learns of a death must contact the estate's personal representative or beneficiaries (CONRED 5.7.18R).
A personal representative can also take the case to the Financial Ombudsman for someone who has died (DISP 2.7.2R).
What the lender will ask for
The FCA lists what to send:
- your own name and contact details, saying you are acting for someone who has died;
- their name, address and date of birth;
- any car finance details you know, such as the lender and dates;
- a copy of the will or the grant of probate, which the FCA says lenders are likely to ask for.
With no will or probate, ask the lender which documents it accepts. To trace their agreements, the car finance claim checker explains where old agreements can be found.
Time limits
- 31 August 2027: PS26/3's last date to complain for anyone a lender has not contacted.
- Bereavement: a reply or complaint delayed by exceptional circumstances is treated as on time, and the FCA names bereavement as an example (CONRED 5.4.40R and 5.4.41G).
- 1 month: to accept or challenge the lender's decision (FCA); the date to contact the Ombudsman is in that letter.
Estimating their agreement
Our car finance claim calculator needs the date, sum borrowed, APR and term from their paperwork or bank statements. It gives an estimate under the FCA rules, not an offer.
Questions families ask
Does the money go to the estate?
PS26/3 says compensation (redress) on a deceased customer's agreement may be owed to their estate. The FCA says lenders are likely to ask for the will or grant of probate so the right person is paid.
Do I need a solicitor for the claim?
No. The complaint to the lender is free, and so is the Financial Ombudsman if you disagree with its decision.
Complaining to the lender and using the FCA scheme are both free.
Written and checked by
Tirion Oman
Motor Finance Claims SpecialistClaims manager with 10+ years in UK car finance
Checked against PS26/3 and CONRED 5 and 6. About the author