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Hastings Direct: Car Insurance reviews

3.11
Based on 638 reviews, last reviewed 22nd Nov 2024
86% decrease in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
60% decrease in 1 star reviews
in the past 90 days
See only 5 star reviews
34%
See only 4 star reviews
20%
See only 3 star reviews
7%
See only 2 star reviews
5%
See only 1 star reviews
34%

Latest highest rating:

5

Sensible approach to black box (You Drive) policy. I had a black box (You Drive) policy. My car needed repairs which took several weeks and meant I wasn't driving it. Hastings Direct contacted me askin... Read more Reviewed on: 20th October 2024
Katie M's avatar
Katie M

Latest lowest rating:

2

Loyalty means nothing Been with them for 5 years, suddenly they “can’t” renew my insurance but will not tell me why. “It’s not on the system” there’s no explanation whatsoe... Read more Reviewed on: 22nd November 2024
Carolina C's avatar
Carolina C

About this product

Looking for your new car insurance provider? Check out the Hastings Direct car insurance reviews on Smart Money People, left by genuine customers to help you make an informed decision when choosing your next provider.

Founded in 1997, Hastings Direct offers car, van, bike and home insurance, providing flexible policies with a wide range of optional extras. Its car insurance policies come with varying levels of cover, alongside a telematics policy, YouDrive, which rewards good driving with lower renewal rates.

What factors do you consider to be most important when choosing a car insurance provider? Are you looking for a telematics policy that can save you money? Perhaps you require breakdown cover or courtesy car cover? What about windscreen cover, or protection from vandalism? Whatever your needs, check out our Hastings Direct car insurance reviews to see how existing customers rate their policies.

Have you had a Hastings Direct car insurance policy? Share your experience with the Smart Money People community to help us increase trust and transparency in financial services. Tell us how satisfied you were with the price of the premium, and whether you managed to find cover for all of your needs? If you’ve had a YouDrive policy, did you find the scoring of your driving fair, and did you find a noticeable discount on your renewal? Leave a Hastings Direct car insurance review today and help other drivers.

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Hastings Direct Car Insurance reviews (638)

Loyalty means nothing

2
Been with them for 5 years, suddenly they “can’t” renew my insurance but will not tell me why. “It’s not on the system” there’s no explanation whatsoever why they can’t renew. Changed my car last month and they asked for an additional £45 to cover the last 2 months, I paid it with no problem. But now they can’t renew me, quick to take £45 but can’t renew. Why didn’t they tell me 1 month ago we can’t do it? Weird. Had no convictions, no accidents etc but still can’t give me an explanation. I go on comparisons sites and they are happy to offer new a new policy but again can’t renew my current one. Loyalty means nothing these days, all a scam. Reviewed on: 22nd November 2024

tried to double my premium

1
tried to double my premium on auto renew and charged £20 to cancel. Put me on hold for 20 minutes, customer service rep tried to requote me several times despite me telling him I wasn't interested. Reviewed on: 7th November 2024

Sensible approach to black box (You Drive) policy.

5
I had a black box (You Drive) policy. My car needed repairs which took several weeks and meant I wasn't driving it. Hastings Direct contacted me asking for information as to why I wasn't submitting any driving data. I was able to explain, forward an email from the garage, and it was fine. I thought the process could have been tricky but the customer service people were helpful and sensible about it. Reviewed on: 20th October 2024

Pushed from pillar to post. Car still damaged.

1
Pushed from pillar to post. To date damage remains to our vehicle despite an admission of liability from the guilty third party. The 'approved' repairer quoted for unnecessary replacement parts. Our repairer was prevented from repairing the actual damage included in the original approved repairers quote. This despite the price being lower. We feel we are the victims of dodgy practices. I've complained. No answers provided or reasons for their actions. They just closed our case hoping we'll get fed up and go away. Reviewed on: 14th October 2024

Always found staff on the phone to be excellent.

5
Always found staff on the phone to be excellent. Reviewed on: 10th October 2024

Great service!

5
Great service!!!!! Would recommend Reviewed on: 8th October 2024

Good car insurance

4
Very easy to navigate the app and to make quotes. The response is very fast and always has a good amount of detail Reviewed on: 26th September 2024

Affordable for young drivers

5
I’m 18 and just got my first year of insurance with black box which helps save lots of money. It was quick delivery and the app is excellent - I recommended to all my friends starting to pass their driving tests! Reviewed on: 16th September 2024

Reliable and Reasonable

5
I've been with Hastings for a few years now, they are reliable, stable and good value for money. I like that I can turn off automatic renewals online so the control stays with me. year my insurance actually went down by a significant amount at renewal. They are easy to contact and were reassuring and responsive when I did have to make a claim. Reviewed on: 10th September 2024

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT

1
Hastings Direct: GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT A third-party alleged my vehicle was involved in an accident. The third party provided NO TIME, NO LOCATION, NO VEHICLE DESCRIPTION and NO DRIVER DESCRIPTION and reported the details almost 6 MONTHS AFTER the alleged incident. Hastings deemed such a claim to merit “very serious” attention. I still have not been informed of a location to help refute the claim. I provided CCTV images of my vehicle 39 hours after the alleged incident showing zero damage. The vehicle has even been inspected by Hastings. Hastings acknowledge it has not been involved in a collision. I have 19 years NCB and have never had any points on my license. YET HASTINGS REFUSE TO REMOVE THIS ALLEGED INCIDENT FROM MY INSURANCE PROFILE, REFUND THE ADDITIONAL PREMIUM THEY CHARGED ME (ELSE THEY'D INVALIDATE MY INSURANCE) AND HAVE NOW COST ME SEVERAL HUNDRED POUNDS IN ADDITIONAL INSURANCE PREMIUM COSTS ON A NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE. Would Hastings Direct CEO @TobiasvanderMeer suffer such customer service I wonder? During a #costoflivingcrisis how many innocent drivers are seeing insurers like Hastings Direct earn interest on their hard-earned money? How can the hurdle to accept a claim be so low @FCA? Reviewed on: 9th September 2024

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