Car Finance Claim on Behalf of Someone Who Has Died
Scheme status (updated 5 August 2026): parts of the FCA motor finance redress scheme are temporarily suspended while the Upper Tribunal considers legal challenges. Lenders do not currently have to calculate or pay compensation under the scheme, the original decision and payment dates no longer apply, and no payment under the scheme is guaranteed. If the scheme proceeds, first payments are expected in 2027 at the earliest. Any dates mentioned below were set before the suspension.
If a family member died after taking out a car finance agreement between 2007 and 2024, you may be able to claim compensation on their behalf through their estate. The right to claim does not die with the person — it passes to their estate and can be exercised by the executor or administrator.
Can You Claim on Behalf of a Deceased Person?
Yes. The FCA’s motor finance redress scheme allows claims to be made on behalf of someone who has died, provided the agreement was PCP or HP taken out between 6 April 2007 and 1 November 2024.
Compensation paid to the estate forms part of the deceased’s assets and must be distributed in accordance with their will, or in accordance with intestacy rules if there is no will.
Who Can Submit the Claim?
- The executor of the estate — named in the will and with a grant of probate
- The administrator of the estate — appointed by the court if there is no will, via letters of administration
- The primary beneficiary of the estate — with documentation confirming their authority
Most lenders require proof of your authority before accepting you as the authorised representative — typically the death certificate plus either the grant of probate or letters of administration.
What Documents Do You Need?
- Death certificate
- Grant of probate (if there is a will) or letters of administration (if no will)
- Details of the car finance agreement: lender name, approximate dates, vehicle registration if known
- Your own ID confirming you are the authorised representative
If you do not have the original finance paperwork, this is not a barrier. Claims Bible can trace historic agreements using the deceased’s name, date of birth and address history.
Step-by-Step: How to Make the Claim
Step 1 — Obtain probate or letters of administration
Without this, most lenders will not accept you as the authorised representative. A probate solicitor can assist if needed. For estates under £10,000 a simplified small estate process may apply — check with Citizens Advice.
Step 2 — Trace the agreements
If you do not know which lender or lenders the deceased used, request their credit report from Experian, Equifax or TransUnion, or use Claims Bible’s free agreement finder.
Step 3 — Submit the complaint
Write to the lender explaining you are acting as executor or administrator on behalf of the estate. Include proof of authority and the deceased’s agreement details. State you are requesting redress under the FCA’s PS26/3 scheme.
Step 4 — Wait for the scheme to open
Under the original timetable, priority complainants were due decisions by September or November 2026 depending on the agreement date, with payment within one month of accepting an offer. Those dates are suspended and no longer apply as stated.
Step 5 — Accept or challenge the offer
You have one month to accept or challenge. Money goes to the estate and is distributed according to the will or intestacy rules — not directly to the person making the complaint unless they are the sole beneficiary.
What If the Deceased Already Had an Open Complaint?
If the deceased had already submitted a complaint before they died, it does not lapse. Contact the lender, notify them of the death, and confirm you are acting as the authorised representative. The complaint continues in the estate’s name.
Frequently Asked Questions
My father took out car finance in 2012 and died in 2024. Can I claim?
Yes, provided the agreement was PCP or HP arranged through a dealer between April 2007 and November 2024. As executor or administrator you can submit a complaint on his behalf. Compensation goes to the estate.
There is no will. Can I still claim?
Yes, but you first need to apply for letters of administration to be formally appointed as estate administrator before submitting a claim on the estate’s behalf.
Does the compensation come to me personally?
It goes to the estate and must be distributed according to the will or intestacy rules. If you are the sole beneficiary it will ultimately come to you — but it forms part of the estate’s assets first.
The deceased had multiple car finance agreements. Can I claim on all of them?
Yes. Each eligible agreement is a separate potential claim. Claims Bible can trace all historic agreements on the deceased’s behalf.
Related Guides
FCA Car Finance Redress Scheme Explained
Car Finance Claims Without Paperwork
Back to Car Finance Claims Hub
You will be redirected to our partner’s website to complete your claim.
Think You May Have a Motor Finance Claim?
The FCA estimates average compensation of around £830 per eligible agreement, but eligibility and payment amounts vary. Some customers may receive nothing. Complaints about agreements started from 1 April 2014 should be submitted by 30 June 2026 to be considered under the earlier timetable. Different dates apply to older agreements. The scheme is currently subject to legal challenge, so dates and payment timings may change.
