Write a review

Go to business site

Hastings Direct: Car insurance reviews

Name: Car insurance
Rating: 3.16 (674 reviews)

View other Hastings Direct products

3.08

Based on 674 reviews, last reviewed 31st Oct 2025

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

25% decrease in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

34%

20%

35%

Latest highest rating:

4

Better value for money The price drop from my last insurer was very impressive, for a lot of the same coverage. I haven't as of yet had to report or claim anything but every... Read more Reviewed on: 1st October 2025

Latest lowest rating:

1

Rejected claim approved by FOS - AVOID AT ALL COSTS Hi Everyone, hope this helps someone being scammed by Hastings. I wanted to share a rather unhappy exchange with Hastings Insurance (Advantage Insura... Read more Reviewed on: 31st October 2025

Read all reviews Write a review

About this product

Hastings Direct provide award-winning car insurance.

You can get a Hastings Direct car insurance quote online and manage your policy via the mobile app. There are three levels of cover, Essentials, Direct and Premier. They're available as an online product which is a lower cost, self-service policy that you manage yourself.

Hastings Direct car insurance reviews help you find out what it’s really like to be a customer. If you’ve used Hastings Direct before, you can also leave a review and share your experience.

Review Hastings Direct: Car insurance now

Help others make smarter decisions by sharing your own experience.

Write a review

Hastings Direct Car insurance reviews (674)

Junk insurance company

I bought Hastings Direct's insurance and had to install a gadget in the car. I was away on holiday when it arrived. I fixed it on the next day but too late - they cancelled my insurance. I was unaware of this so I drove round for several days before a letter arrived telling me the insurance had been cancelled some days before. Reviewed on: 31st December 2022

Miserable experience at the hands of unprofessional staff

Accident, other driver to blame. 45 minute phone call to an Inspector Clouseau tribute act, who still didn't get a grip on what happened. Courtesy car? Might as well ask for a unicorn horn and eternal life. A succession of unhelpful, unqualified, and charmless individuals have then spectacularly failed to make any progress. With anything. The time taken over trifling amounts might suggest a company in financial bother, or operators paid by the savings they extract from Hastings Direct's clients. I think we had car and home insurances with them, but we may as well have spent the money on holidays, for all the "cover" we've actually had when it's been needed. Rating: chocolate fireguard to couldn't hit a cow's arse with a banjo. Reviewed on: 30th December 2022

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

Do you have a different Hastings Direct product?

Share your experiences with products to help others make smarter financial decisions and learn more about different products available. Write a review

Are you a business? Get insights, reply to reviews, invite customers and understand their needs

Alternative products

Car insurance
from esure 1.92 from 410 reviews
Breakdown cover
from AA 2.30 from 212 reviews
Car insurance
from ASDA Money 4.35 from 15 reviews

Want to see more from Hastings Direct?

Van Insurance
from Hastings Direct 4.67 from 3 reviews
Personal loans
from Hastings Direct 4.43 from 119 reviews
Home insurance
from Hastings Direct 3.25 from 71 reviews

View all products

Join Smart Money People

Keep up to date on ratings of your favourite businesses. Find out about our awards and write new reviews with ease

Create an account

News, guides and insight from our team

View resource hub