Guide to FSCS investment protection
Ask these key questions to make sure your investment is protected
Deciding which investment product to choose can feel daunting. Deciding between returns, access, security and risk, it's easy to feel confused and overwhelmed.
Even if you consider yourself to be financially savvy, it pays to make sure you know exactly what protection is available before you sign up.
At FSCS we want you to feel confident and in control of your finances. That's why we've created a set of key questions to ask your provider when you're considering where to put your money. Use them to find out if FSCS protects the investment product you're considering so you can make an informed choice that's right for you.
See also our investment protection limits.
You might also be interested in our Pensions protection guide, and our Bank and savings protection checker.
Thinking about making an investment?
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Ask your firm to confirm that the activity it is carrying out for you is a regulated activity and under what circumstances you would be protected by FSCS if the firm failed.
If you need general guidance about any money matters, visit MoneyHelper. Its support and guidance are free.
Considering financial advice about an investment covered by FSCS?
If you take advice from an authorised financial adviser when investing, we can protect you. If the adviser goes out of business and you lose money because they were negligent in the advice they gave you, we may be able to compensate you up to £85,000. The advice must have been given to you on or after 28 August 1988.
We can't accept any claims that are for poor investment performance - the nature of investments means their value can go down as well as up.
We may be able to protect you if a provider goes out of business and there's a shortfall in the money or assets it's holding for you.
If you need general advice about any money matters, visit the Money and Pensions Service. Its support and guidance are free.
