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Hastings Direct reviews

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Rated Average 3.23/5

Hastings Direct reviews

Unverified business Last reviewed within 7 days

Review summary

People rate this company as Average based on 889 product reviews

Average score of 3.23/5
5 star
42%
4 star
18%
3 star
6%
2 star
4%
1 star
30%
Reviews for Hastings Direct have trended positively over the past 90 days

Hastings Direct scores highly for easy online applications, competitive pricing, and helpful customer service, especially for loans and initial insurance setup. However, many found claims handling frustratingly slow or unhelpful, with poor communication and issues around policy cancellations and unexpected fees. Auto-renewal and price hikes also caused a fair bit of grief.

Positive themes

  • Hastings Direct made applying quick and straightforward with competitive prices.
  • Customer service was often friendly and helpful when contacted by phone or app.
  • Loans from Hastings Direct were quick to approve with good rates and smooth process.

Negative themes

  • Claims handling was slow or poor with little communication and unresolved issues.
  • Policy cancellations and auto-renewals caused unexpected charges and hassle.
  • Renewal prices often increased sharply with little explanation or loyalty reward.
Summarised by AI
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About Hastings Direct

Hastings Direct reviews written by our Smart Money People can help you to find out more about what it's like to have an insurance policy with Hastings Direct. Smart Money People is the UK's independent financial services review site. Read and write Hastings Direct reviews, and together we can help to increase trust and transparency in financial services.

Hastings Direct at a glance

Reviews for Hastings Direct

Showing 11 of 889 company reviews Last reviewed within 7 days

So far so good

Home insurance 24th April 2026

Escape of water claim has been stressful but Hastings have been brilliant so far.

Rated Good 4/5
Read more product reviews

Hail Hastings!

Car insurance 19th April 2026

Went through Hastings Direct for my car insurance, overall very efficient and quick process. Blackbox policy clearly outlined and sent out to myself very quickly... Went through Hastings Direct for my car insurance, overall very efficient and quick process. Blackbox policy clearly outlined and sent out to myself very quickly through the post. So far a good, positive experience and no drawbacks! Read more Read less

Rated Good 4/5
Read more product reviews
  • 4/5

    Car insurance

    Been with Hastings Direct for many many years. Easy to renew and always get a good price. I have used both online and phone and... Been with Hastings Direct for many many years. Easy to renew and always get a good price. I have used both online and phone and have always had a professional experience. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Alli","full_name":"Alli","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car insurance
    Alli 16th April 2026
  • 5/5

    Absolutely amazing customer service and great compet...

    Absolutely amazing customer service and great competitive prices.

  • 5/5

    Good policy price

    Easy to get policy and best prices for vehicle insured recommend

    {"display":"Conor D","full_name":"Conor D","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car insurance
    Conor D 16th April 2026
  • 1/5

    Poor service even poorer company

    Ive given 1 star because its the lowest… Ive given 1 star because its the lowest i can give had a major motorbike accident may... Ive given 1 star because its the lowest… Ive given 1 star because its the lowest i can give had a major motorbike accident may last year was in a coma for a month fractured all my ribs my collar bone and my kneecap had 32 pints of blood and almost died but was i allowed to recover? Spent the last year arguing for what im entitled to still not got it dealing with solicitors stay away personal injury insurance isn't worth having they will do and say anything not to pay you. Lies after lies disgusting company Read more Read less

    {"display":"Mick Lee","full_name":"Mick Lee","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/uploads\/avatars\/users\/1426307.png"}}'s avatar
    Car insurance
    Mick Lee 4th April 2026
  • 1/5

    Charged for a renewal I didn't ask for.

    Charged for a renewal I didn't ask for. Find policies like this manipulative and deceitful. Very little understanding from customer services when ringing to explain,... Charged for a renewal I didn't ask for. Find policies like this manipulative and deceitful. Very little understanding from customer services when ringing to explain, just 'we sent you an email weeks ago', with loads of hidden small print that says we're gonna rip ya off! Read more Read less

    {"display":"Adam","full_name":"Adam","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/uploads\/avatars\/users\/1395266.png"}}'s avatar
    Car insurance
    Adam 13th March 2026
  • 1/5

    Dodgy fees.

    I just finished a contract with this company. My car insurance was finished at 23:59 of the 19th of Feb. They have automatically renewed my... I just finished a contract with this company. My car insurance was finished at 23:59 of the 19th of Feb. They have automatically renewed my car insurance morning of that day. Hence, I called them to cancel it as I was going to call them anyway as my new insurance has started the same day. Now they asked me to pay 20£ cancellation fee!! How is that even fair? I know its only 20£ but aren't we all working hard for a living? I only realised the mistake of paying it when my wife asked me why have I paid for the cancellation fee as technically the insurance hasn't lapsed yet when I called to cancel a new contract. I wonder how many more clients have they asked to pay for things such as this. Defo contacting FOS for this if they can't give a proper explanation. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Tom L","full_name":"Tom L","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car insurance
    Tom L 23rd February 2026
  • 1/5

    Bunch of scammers

    Tried to claim for a leak in the upstairs bathroom which had gone through the ceiling in the kitchen they told me over the phone... Tried to claim for a leak in the upstairs bathroom which had gone through the ceiling in the kitchen they told me over the phone what they would not pay for basically they didn't want to pay out then they mentioned the very outrageous excess charges £700 pound in the end I gave up I will not use them again Read more Read less

    {"display":"Kevin ","full_name":"Kevin ","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Home insurance
    Kevin 15th February 2026
  • 5/5

    I've been with Hastings Direct for a good few years...

    I've been with Hastings Direct for a good few years now - they've helped me with carious claims and at a difficult time when I... I've been with Hastings Direct for a good few years now - they've helped me with carious claims and at a difficult time when I had a car accident they helped me win my case. They've also been reasonably priced throughout the years. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Sarah Gray","full_name":"Sarah Gray","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car insurance
    Sarah Gray 23rd January 2026
  • 1/5

    Declined Claim & Excess

    Had an issue with my drains and was forced by Hastings to pay my £350 excess to DASA who would investigate. As they took my... Had an issue with my drains and was forced by Hastings to pay my £350 excess to DASA who would investigate. As they took my excess I assumed this was part of the final settlement to fix the issue. But no this is just spent on the investigation that took minutes. DASA said that the drain had not been maintained and Hastings Direct have declined the claim as a result. If I had been told that I would be paying £350 just for the investigation I would not have made the claim in the first place. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Vincent","full_name":"Vincent","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Home insurance
    Vincent 14th January 2026

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