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Hastings Direct: Car Insurance reviews

Name: Car Insurance
Rating: 3.14 (642 reviews)

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3.10

Based on 642 reviews, last reviewed 29th Jan 2025

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

25% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

34%

20%

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

Latest lowest rating:

1

DO NOT USE HASTINGS PLEASE Terrible - my car gets stolen and they refuse the claim for a key discrepancy issue and THEN LOSE THAT key! Car has been found by the police and Hasti... Read more Reviewed on: 29th January 2025

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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.

Hastings Direct Car Insurance reviews (642)

Review of the Hastings Direct, Car Insurance:

CheekyCharges Campaigner

Well i had already been with them a year, and they sent my quote for the next year and it was over 50% more than the previous year even though i was in double figures for no-claims and there were no changes from last year. So I decided to used a comparison website and inputting the same details as on the quote, the same company came up as the cheapest insurers on the comparison website, at over 50% less than their quote. So i called them and asked why i had 2 quotes with such different prices and they couldn't answer me, they also tried to quote me a price that was between my two other quotes and when i said it would be cheaper for me to leave them now, and then re-join them with my online quote their answer was 'So why did you bother calling then?' I was simply amazed at that! So the Golden rule should always be- NEVER accept the quote from your current insurers without looking around first, it will save you a fortune! Reviewed on: 6th March 2016

Horrid experience and duped from the start

Just had a phone call 11 months after an alleged incident to tell me that it could take another 6 years to sort out. I questioned the incident and was told that I was in an accident with someone but wasn't but was but wasn't but was but wasn't but was but wasn't. Told never to call them again and if they had anything to tell me in the next 6 years from now that they will let me know. But.....in the meantime, continue paying a premium for insurance I have not had for 10 months now for a vehicle that I do not own for an accident that I wasn't involved in but was but wasn't but was. Got to be the absolute worst company ever. She continuously talked over me and tried to accuse me of shouting so she could end the call on the absolute nonsense she spouted without explaining how what she was saying was even possible. I have instructed them about 50 times now that the claim someone is making was not me and that this person needs to take me to court to prove I was in an incident with him. She said no. He doesn't need to prove anything he just needs to seek liability. How is this even legal? This is fraud and deception! Horrid company. Absolute despicable company and would seriously warn anyone against taking out a policy with them. Reviewed on: 29th December 2022

Terrible experience trying to cancel renewal - avoid

Called to cancel and had to argue to say I did not want it, told bank details removed call back if change mind, they took full annual insurance and saying will charge me a cancellation fee and have to wait 10 days for refund.. Reviewed on: 27th December 2022

Embarrassment - HOW CAN I GIVE 0 STAR

AVOID AVOID AVOID. My car is still on my drive way 26 days later and counting awaiting pick up for repair, customer service is a myth, nobody calls you, nobody helps, spend hours on hold, third party company’s they use are just as bad, Vizion etc. no courtesy car, terrible useless staff with no idea, unenthusiastic staff who sound like they don’t want to be there, no contact from “ case handler “ Reena. Nobody helping, ridiculous company. Never again, DO NOT INSURE YOUR CAR WITH HASTINGS, IF YOU HAVE TO CLAIM YOUR IN TROUBLE Reviewed on: 24th December 2022

Bad company

Poor customer service.I cancel my policy and never go with them again. Reviewed on: 21st December 2022

Avoid!!

Do not use!!! Be aware of fake reviews - Shocking comms, quality of repair not BSI standard and car returned with "Extra Scratches". No replies after my complaint was made. 2 months!! no action... digusting customer care Reviewed on: 19th December 2022

DO NOT USE!

Nothing but problems with this insurer. They initially took money out of my bank account after I didn’t reply to there emails (I was reimburse) but had to jump through hoops. Now today (Saturday) I have bought a new car attempted to change this over and been told they can’t do this until Monday? Asked to speak with a manger and told no mangers are in and to call back on Monday. So I’m now left with a car on my drive with no insurance and no way of getting to work on Sunday. Not good enough! The telephone handler was rude and kept speaking over me and there was a large amount of cheering and laughing in the background which sounded like some kind of Xmas party. DO NOT USE THIS INSURANCE COMPANY!! Update: I cancelled my insurance with Hastings but still had to pay a cancellation fee dispite this not being my fault they can’t insure vehicles on a Saturday, but somehow I need to get to work. Discussed with AVIVA and had no issues getting my vehicle insured Reviewed on: 18th December 2022

Peritsa

The worst company ever stay away from Hastings Direct I’m happy with my old one Reviewed on: 10th December 2022

Terrible company

Took out a youdrive policy. The tab set up doesn't work, and they cancelled policy, despite the issue being their tech. Tech team aware of samsung update issue too, so not even as if I was setting it up wrong, it just didn't work. Customer service first time round was great. Extended the policy to allow time to set up. After extension ended, customer service rep was terrible. Told me they can't extend it despite doing so previously, and aware that it's an issue their end, not mine. Stay well away. Reviewed on: 29th November 2022

worst insurance company ever

this is the worst place you coud get a issurance Reviewed on: 27th November 2022

Poor customer service

Poor customer service all outsourced to Africa. Generic call centre serving multiple companies, couldn't care less about Hastings customers. Reviewed on: 23rd November 2022

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