That link of rdave13's confirms that I'm too late to do anything about one I was sold in 1981!

I can't believe that the selling of them ever got to such high numbers. As I said I was sold one in 1981 for a car loan, believing that I wouldn't get the loan otherwise. After 3 years of paying much more for my loan than I would have liked, and seeing how worthless they were when friends with them tried to get some money back and found that nearly every eventually had a get out clause in the insurer's favour.

The next time I went for a loan I was quite prepared to get knocked back for not wanting to buy this PPI crap and couldn't believe that I got the loan with no quibble one I made it clear that I didn't think they were worth the paper they were written on.

Where were the consumer protection people at that time?

In theory, there is no time limit, although, obviously, the older the case, the less likely the claim will be simple. The "time limit" refers to the time that the provider is required to keep, and make available to you, details of the transaction. If the claimant still has the necessary paperwork, from the original set-up of the PPI, to show it was "mis-sold", then a claim CAN be upheld after many years. I think that 20 years, or more, is "a bit optimistic" though.

there was a news article about these so called companies who can claim on your behalf but charge you for it. Where as the Gov is about to write letters out to those who can claim without having to pay a fee.