This payment was my wife's, the bank just sent out a letter, she signed to agree to the amount and then the cheque arrived. No mid-man involved.
I used a company for my claims just as Lloyds-TSB admitted they were in the wrong. I got three cheques direct from Lloyds (bank loan, mortgage, credit card) and this claim company got wind of it. I hunted them. They were circling like vultures for 30% of my cash. A disreputable company based in Wales, Legal Redress or something.
I got lots of help and information for free at Legal Beagles. (good forums)
Anyone else considering PPI claims, have a nosey here first. Don't pay any cnut to get YOUR money back.
http://www.legalbeagles.info/forums/forumdisplay.php?125-PPI-payment-protection-insurance-reclaiming