Yes this is true, you can do it all yourself to save the fees. I know several people though who were introduced to OVP by Estate Agents here in the UK who were selling international property. Lots of these purchasers used life savings rather than remortgaging their homes.
The FSCS probably won't handle these claims so I imagine it's easier to get a company to claim for you.
The Estate Agents who introduced are significant in this situation.