Hastings Direct Car Insurance Reviews - hastingsdirect.com

Hastings Direct Car Insurance Reviews - hastingsdirect.com
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“Abusive cancellation of my policy!!!”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Catalin84 on 09/02/2024

Please avoid!!!!Run as fast as you can! I had a policy with them for more than 7 months. Last week they decided that they meed more information regarding my details. I sent the requested details and they decided to cancel my policy because the car purchase date from their records is different -1 year from the date from V5. They said that they can't update this in their records and they will cancel my policy in 7 days.They will charge me also a cancellation fee of £45 , but my policy will not appear as cancelled in the insurance companies database. Abusive attitude, abusive cancellation, please avoid

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“Disgusting treatment of existing customer”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Musclemanrambo1 on 27/01/2024

Totally disgusted with there service refused to renew my car ins .just informed me that it was based on certain factors I've poss theft in my area .make of car etc .of which none of these apply to me .and then went on to say they can't see any specific reason in my case but wont renew it .in my opinion the only thing that has changed is my age .is that the reason but are hiding behind excuses so as not to be seen as ageist.avoid this company or risk being dumped for no reason

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“Never ever again ”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Carmend20 on 08/08/2023

Cancelation fee was suddenly £80 and not £45 I rejected car I bought from big world motoring due to major faults and had to cancel insurance in 20 days.

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“Hastings Direct Limited is limited indeed!”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Hastentoavoid on 19/07/2023

Hastings Direct cancelled my car insurance policy (for which I am most appreciative) because of "issues with my data," which I was expected to "resolve." These issues were not specified. In fact, the company's communication was no less rude than unhelpful.

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“Don't stay”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Jasmine448 on 15/06/2023

Had van insurance with Hastings direct, changed my insurance to a car policy and was told to cancel my original insurance policy, van business insurance was £200, on getting car insurance with Hastings direct for a smaller engine carwas quoted £347, having got back home done a quick comparison site check and got a quote for £195, cancelled with Hastings direct and would never advise anyone to use this company trick merchants, these companies should look after there customers rather than chasing them to competitors, if I was offered something around £200 I would have stayed loyal, pity Hastings direct don't know the meaning of loyalty

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“Disappointing Experience with Hasting Direct”

★☆☆☆☆

written by KCNG on 28/05/2023

Disappointing Experience with Hasting Direct - Unreliable App, Poor Customer Service, and Policy Cancellation Unreliable Mobile App: I hold two policies for my two cars and attempted to link them to the mobile app. However, it became apparent that your app does not support the simultaneous connection of multiple tabs. This limitation makes it incredibly inconvenient for customers like myself who have multiple policies with your company. Lack of Response: Despite contacting your customer support team to report this problem, I received no response for three days. This lack of communication is concerning and reflects poorly on your commitment to customer service. Poor Customer Service: During a phone call with one of your customer service representatives, I experienced a notable decline in the quality of the call, making it difficult to understand the agent. When I requested clarification, the representative displayed impatience and a lack of willingness to assist me adequately. Unjust Policy Cancellation: To my disbelief, without any investigation or effort to rectify the issues I raised, my policy was abruptly canceled. This decision was made without consideration for the inconveniences I faced or any attempt to find a resolution. It is disheartening to see that a company that promises quality service and reliability has failed to deliver on its commitments.

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“£20 shorter thanks to Hastings Direct autorenewing my...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by StefansReview on 16/03/2023

£20 shorter thanks to Hastings Direct autorenewing my policy and then charging me for them having to cancel a policy I didn't want in the first place. It might be legal but just plain and simply wrong. I had to make an online search for the phone number as it was impossible to find on their own website. That in itself shows how much they are interested in their customers once the sale is done. Never going anywhere near this company again

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“sad so sad”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Arrowthorn on 14/09/2021

Dear Sir I am writing again as I do not seem to be getting through to your company I started a complaint with your company, and they failed to resolver, so I have been to resolver it get it sorted out . My problems started in 22/04.2021 when I could not access my detail as they had the policy number you can see this from the resolver case file. When I emailed for help, this fell upon deaf ears, so I tried calling on the telephone I was pushed round your systems put on hold and in the end just dropped . I needed to contact you to tell you I have sold the car and now have another, believe me I tried and tried but to no avail So I went to one call for my insurance, they were only too happy to help I was left with the problem of your company not talking to me. The resolver case run to end as no answers were made by your company and the case has now been passed to the insurance ombudsman I am now thinking I will contact Financial Conduct Authority via ABI your regulator as I can not let this continue. I now find you have renewed my insurance without checking with me and taken money from my account and I did write to you and told you could not access my data as I want nothing more to do with you your company however does what it wants . I contacted the Police, they seemed not very interested in my case, I will however will push it. I will be posting this to you as a mater of curtsey I will list the details I will be pressing for 1 failed to deal with any aspect of my complaint 2 I was unable to use your system because you have not put the right details in it 3 You have not refunded any money as you have sold me goods not fit for service 4 you have taken money from my account taken I use that term as I sill have a active complaint with you and the insurance ombudsman so why would I renew any policy with you. 5 You did not check I was still entitled to drive when you took the money I may have been disqualified or had heath issues that means you have not paid due diligence All I wanted was to get rid of your rubbish service now I am faced with taken legal redress in the small claims court and social media. When I complained about the money taken from my account you answer was unacceptable, I shall be posting you and I hope you want to avoid me taking acction in the courts

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“Sharing as people need to be warned”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Robyn789 on 02/07/2021

Hastings Direct I feel that I have received absolutely awful customer service from Hastings. I have never had an accident before, and we all hope that we will never have to use our car insurers, but that if we ever do it will be a simple process (words used by Hastings themselves when I called)...that is what we pay for after all. Unfortunately I had an accident in May and the process was anything but simple, thanks to the failings of Hastings. To start off with my number was taken down incorrectly by the call handler (despite re-confirming the correct number) and I was left waiting by the roadside for over 6 hours. There was no where around for me to walk to get a drink/food or any toilets within walking distance. I waited so long for help that I actually ended up in a humiliating situation (I don't want to share exactly what due to privacy, but Hastings are aware of what happened). Hastings have been awful from start to finish. I even gave my correct contact number to the person dealing with my complaint, yet it was still wrong on Hastings system. I didn't realise this until I received an email weeks later, asking why I hadn't responded to the valuation offer. I rang to update my number and later that day I received the texts that I should have received on the day of the accident. Bringing back the awful memory. My accident was on the 22nd of May and I received the texts on the 15th of June!! I have been contacted daily by Hastings to ask why I haven't accepted the valuation offer for my vehicle, despite me ringing to explain I was waiting for my complaint to be reviewed first and sending several emails to explain the same thing, with no response from Hastings whatsoever, just the same call every single day asking if I had received the valuation offer. The person dealing with my complaint even replied to say that I had given the wrong number to the call handler, however the number they said I gave incorrectly IS my correct number! The last email I received from Hastings was from the person dealing with my complaint, who assured me that the added information I gave would be looked into. I discovered when ringing to chase this up after hearing nothing, that Hastings had closed my complaint without telling me and without reaching a conclusion. I even rang Hastings and spoke to someone to tell them why I wasn't accepting the valuation offer and they didn't tell me that my complaint had been closed either. The communication has been terrible between Hastings themselves and Hastings to myself. I requested that Hastings absorb the remaining costs of my policy (which doesn't even equate to £250) due to their continued failings with my case, as I will not get a vehicle within the 30 day period they allow, but I have been informed that they cannot do this. I would avoid in the future!!!! Worst customer service I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with. I am a nurse working through a stressful pandemic, and this was the very last thing I needed. It's the last thing that anyone needs, which is why I'm sharing my experience. Take care everyone ❤

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“Awful company who extort money out of existing...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Mrs_LC on 25/02/2021

Awful company who extort money out of existing customers. Long story short, they offered me a renewal price, I declined & purchased elsewhere. They informed me everyone has a 14 day cooling off period and magically beat my renewal price by £100. I cancelled my new policy I’d purchased, got a refund and renewed with Hastings. They then waited until AFTER their 14 day cooling off period to try and find a loop hole in my policy price and charged me an extra £98! So exactly what they wanted in their renewal in the first place. I have sent 3 emails asking them to contact me about this and have been ignored after trying to phone and being on perpetual hold. They have not responded to ONE email and still took my money.

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“DO NOT TOUCH they charge for anything and everything...”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Maxwelldg35 on 04/12/2020

DO NOT TOUCH they charge for anything and everything even the 14 day cancellation rights will see you lose cash, you'll buy online then they'll increase price AND charge you for privilege, they are evil, absolutely disgusted, then told me leaving reviews is against their spamming policy, none of them care, yay capitalism, so I am stuck for one year even though in my 14 days as will still charge things to cancel within it and I do not mean just the 8 days cover etc, of course they chuck out cheapest quote but will then hunt for any stupid reason to change price after purchase cos that gets em a change policy fee too! so you cannot trust quote price one bit! Evil company

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“Avoid - No Help when you really need it ”

★☆☆☆☆

written by on 28/02/2020

Involved in accident, Hastings assumed I was at fault without any discussion or evidence, even though they were MY insurer not the other party. Police later prosecuted other driver for causing accident and he was found guilty, but Hastings still refuse to change it to non-fault, saying it’s unlikely they would win in court? Go figure, won’t be going near them in the future...

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“night mare ”

★☆☆☆☆

written by ShawnPurcell1959 on 22/02/2020

Completely night mare , customer service terrible , afther making policy and finishing payment , emails coming thru asking details with non time very rushed , they will do effort to find a minimal error like my one (drive licence for 16 years and in fact was 18 yeas ) for that mistake that dosent compromise in nothing the policy they wonted to charge 50 pounds but they will go up side down to find something to emend and then charge , after asking to cancel policy I was charged 20 pounds once I still on 15 days period other wise 45 pounds for nothing ... I ask to speak with a manager no one there no manager obviously unsupervised company .I did prefer to pay 20 pounds a finish all the business with HASTINGS .

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“Terrible Customer Service”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Tuckerxe1994 on 19/02/2020

Tried to add my partner to my car policy with Hastings Direct, but was unable to, but they told me I could take out a new policy with them for over £500 plus a cancellation fee despite the fact I had paid 12 month premium in advance. Worst customer retention policy ever.

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“Blackmailed into buying additional insurance cover”

★★☆☆☆

written by Daddybuck on 13/02/2020

I transferred my car and home insurance to Hastings direct in January 2020 as they were the most competitive competitive on line and although had some poor reviews were a well known provider. I called to ask about adding a specific item to my home policy valued above the £1500 limit, and asked for a quote. I was given the quote at an additional £60 (almost) when the insurance for my whole home and contents, with all the bells and whistles was only £160. I was also informed that none of my property was covered away from home - when i had specified initially i wanted cover. I informed them that I did not wish to pay such an amount as i could get specific insurance for £9 for the item. I was then informed that because i had made the enquiry, and i was now a 'higher risk' if i failed to pay them the fee - and £20 adjustment, they would cancel my insurance immediately. This is blackmail of the lowest kind. I totally accept that companies need to cover costs and reduce risks, however, it is my choice whether to take on additional insurance. Hastings took that decision from me and forced me to pay extortionate fees or risk a cancelled policy. Surely this is not professional or ethical practice. So beware- if you call seeking advice on specialist items to be added - and ask for a quote only - they will back you into a corner. I could have let them cancel my home policy there and them. I accept that, but this would cause inconvenience and delays and I would have had to acknowledge I had had a policy cancelled by an insurance company - and that would have increased the new company bill as well. I was left with no choice but to pay. And was then informed they would use my card for auto renewals. WRONG. I will never use them again, purely on the fact of unethical practice, even if they provide the cheapest service and a reasonable product. This is one customer they have lost - but they dont care for the little people.

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“Cancelled insurance”

★☆☆☆☆

written by 285McKnight on 02/01/2020

Insurance was paid for and then cancelled by text because Of ‘online activity’. This was changing my occupation from ‘unable to work due to disability’ to ‘retired’ - both of which are true. This was via a comparisons website, and something we are advised to do as consumers. No apology, they are keeping £20 of my money and my credit rating is permanently affected. Complaints have got no where. How is this legal?

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“Avoid Hastings Direct”

★★☆☆☆

written by bluebello21 on 19/12/2019

I had been a customer of this company for 2+ years. I purchased a new car, informed them straight away & paid an extra fee for change in details. We were told a black box needed installing in our new vehicle. The box arrived, we then had 14 days to install. We installed the box within the set time frame. 2 days after the 14 day period, Hastings sent an email to say they would be cancelling our policy as they were not picking up any data from the box. I rang on several occasions, speaking to many different staff members to query why the policy had been cancelled when we had followed all instructions and fitted the box within the 14 days. Hastings forwarded the cancellation to their underwriters for a 2nd opinion. After 24 hours, they decided they would not reinstate our policy. I am now stuck with a black mark against my name and unable to get insurance from other companies without paying a fortune. I have submitted a complaint to Hastings and also followed it up with the financial ombudsman. Would not recommend this company.

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“beware of their charges”

★☆☆☆☆

written by markaylott on 19/07/2019

worst renewal insurance company I've ever dealt with . My son had his renewal sent through at £795.00 after 5 years of accident and enforcement free driving , which although we felt was still quite high , decided to stay with them. In between getting the renewal and taking out the policy , he received a speeding fine ( which we are currently fighting , as it was in a supposedly variable speed limit on a motorway and even though he was only driving at 67mph they are insisting that there was a 50mph overhead gantry sign in place - for no reason at all - but he states that this was not in place so we are asking highways to look into it as the police will not give you any proof unless you attend court ) however , he decided to inform the insurers before taking out the policy . I expected the premium to go up slightly but did not expect it to go to a staggering £2800.00!!! I called them to ask how this can be and after the usual rubbish about let me speak to the underwriters they came back with £2000.00 a staggering deduction in minutes of £800 ?? We said that this was still too high and asked for a manager who then reduced it to £1500.00 So in a nutshell , if you want to use a company that doubles your premium after a 3 points speeding fine then choose Hastings direct. If you want to use a company that is fair and does not penalise too heavily then choose another company than Hastings direct Neither myself , my son or any of my other family or friends will ever be using their services ever again and that includes all other insurance as well as motor vehicle Avoid at all costs !!!

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“Cancelled policy no reason given”

★☆☆☆☆

written by leeratcliffe on 17/06/2019

My son took out insurance after passing his test, decided to wait a week before the policy started to save over £200 . 3 days into the policy they text to cancel. After several phone calls to them they still refused to give a reason. My son spent ages checking different vehicles to find the one that was cheapest to insure. It transpires that this goes against you as fraudulent activity online. All details given were factual and correct. They also charge £12.50 for the privilege of just talking to them about a quote so you have no choice but to go online. This will have a lasting effect on his insurance from now on. This seems to have happened many times before and I believe they have been fined by the FDA for such practices. If only we had known before hand

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“HOPELESS - CUSTOMER SERVICE NON-EXISTENT”

★☆☆☆☆

written by Johnny7676 on 24/02/2019

They are ALMOST impossible to contact via phone. Irrespective of day/time I call I get a patronizing “sorry… we are extremely busy at the moment message” and then end up holding until my patience runs out (I’ve waited for an hour with joy). They automatically renew a policy without authority of the policy holder. No call-back facility, NO CHAT Service industry with no service. They charged my credit card three weeks before the policy was due to start . When I finally got through to speak to someone about my existing policy – they then advised me that they couldn’t talk to me about a potential new policy; I’d have to wait again in another queue. HOPELESS TO DEAL WITH

Hastingsdirect's Response to Johnny7676's Review

Written on: 28/02/2019

Hello,

I'm very sorry to hear that you had such a poor experience with us and I hope that the matter which has caused this review has since been resolved. We do appreciate that it can frustrating to wait on hold and we're striving to put measures in place in order to reduce our waiting times. I hope that if you need to contact us in the future you can do so in a more timely manner. If you do need any assistance you can also speak to us via email. Thank you for taking the time to leave a review with us

-Theo

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Angel19652020's reply to Hastingsdirect's Comment

Written on: 08/11/2019

You are charging me a £20 admin fee for setting up a policy with you and you have made the error! The details I completed on the form were correct at the time but when I received the documents they were incorrect. How does that even happen! I phoned you to let you know what had happened and you keep me hanging on the phone for 20 minutes, then tell me policy can’t be cancelled and my monies refunded for 24 hours...less £20 admin fee! Absolutely disgusting!

I will be reporting your company to the Financial Ombudsman unless you refund the £177.91 back to my bank account.

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Asked by LindseyBFMVfan on 6th March 2015 Report this content
I have just bought my first car. My test is in a months time but I want to be able to learn for the next few weeks in my car. What am I likely to be charged to change my policy from a provisional driving license to a full driving license? Thanks

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Answers (4)
Report this content Takahiro Written on: 06/03/2015
Sorry I have absolutely no idea what/if any kind of charge that might be. I'm no longer with Hastings and I only bought my first car after passing my test so I've never had to do that. I would suggest giving their customer services a quick ring to ask about it, it'll be the most reliable answer.
Report this content vern45 Written on: 06/03/2015
Yes sorry I think too you will have to call their customer service dept. although I would not think that is classed as a change of details as such, address ,vehicle change etc all cost you a whopping 30 quid
Report this content John_e_Fox Written on: 06/03/2015
It's very difficult to say what you will be charged as all insurance companies and policies are different. What I can say is that you are very likely to see an increase in your premium because a driver on a provisional license is supervised and seen to be a lower risk than one setting off alone for the first time. When my daughter learned to drive she was a named driver on one of my policies and when she passed her test the premium went up by about 7% - but that was not with Hastings and of course every policy has different excesses and options such as protected NCD, etc. And even apparently similar policies can be priced very differently. All you can do is ask for a quote really! Hope this is of some use. John.
Report this content aceflyer Written on: 11/03/2015
just phone Hastings they are always helpful.
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