I wish to put £20,000 into a high-interest, no-risk savings account. But the ING Direct call centre cannot tell me if deposits would be protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) (100 per cent of the first £2,000 and 90 per cent of the next £33,000 guaranteed). I also note ING Direct is based in the Netherlands with a UK operation known as ING Direct (UK) NV. ING Direct (UK)'s terms and conditions state: "You may be entitled to compensation from FSCS under the Depositors Protection Scheme". These terms also state that ING Direct (UK) NV may merge into the parent company ING Direct NV in the Netherlands.Does the UK depositors' protection scheme apply to their UK operation? And would it apply if the UK operation was moved to the Netherlands' parent company? WB, Merseyside.ING Direct is covered by UK compensation arrangements. The parent company is covered by the Dutch compensation scheme to €20,000. Any losses above that up to the UK maximum would be met by the FSCS.

This would still apply if the UK subsidiary were merged with the Dutch parent company under EU compensation passporting arrangements, provided the bank remained authorised by the Financial Services Authority.Q I have an instant access account with Coventry Building Society which I tried to close three weeks ago I have written twice more and phoned. It insists I must use a password to close the account, but I cannot recall having one. Even if I did, why aren't my letters sufficient to close the account? RC, by e-mailCoventry Building Society accepts it has not provided you with an adequate standard of service. It does insist your account is a phone-based one, which relies on passwords.

It is in the terms and conditions that accounts can be closed only by use of the password. But in your case it has agreed to comply and has sent you a cheque for the balance.Q I have had car insurance with Norwich Union for years, paying monthly. In May, it took the full annual amount of £237.83 from my account and in June the monthly premium of £18.30. I have tried to get this back but they said they have to "clear it with their underwriters" first.Then it will be by cheque which will take four or five days to clear.

Why can't Norwich Union return my money by direct transfer, the way they took it out? I will cancel with them as soon as I have their cheque because I have found a company much cheaper. PP, by e-mail.Norwich Union admits it made mistakes and apologises. It is sending you a full refund, its administration fee and £20 compensation.* If you have questions about personal finance, write to Questions of Cash, 'The Independent', 191 Marsh Wall, London E14 9RS, or e-mail cash independent.co.uk We regret that we can reply only to letters published here. Imagine the situation: after spending your entire working life with the same employer, you are looking forward to an enjoyable retirement on a decent pension, only to be diagnosed with cancer, a couple of years after leaving work. But you are shocked to discover that under the terms of your public-sector pension, your partner will receive not a bean from your pension when you die. Worse, inheritance tax (IHT) liabilities on your estate could force your partner to sell the house where you have lived together for 27 years.This is a true scenario.