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Hastings Direct: Car Insurance reviews

Name: Car Insurance
Rating: 3.14 (642 reviews)

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3.04

Based on 642 reviews, last reviewed 29th Jan 2025

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

33% 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

Horrendous customer care

I have had the most terrible experience with Hastings direct. Following accepting a renewal quote, Hastings accidentally cancelled my policy leaving me with no insurance. I was told they were unable to rectify the problem despite taking whole responsibility for the error. They told me I would have to pay double the original renewal quote. After 5 days with no insurance and being told that it is illegal if I drive my car and that there is nothing they can do to rectify the mistake. I logged a complaint and after 5 days I am still without car insurance and I am yet to hear anything from the complaints team. The customer care is atrocious. By far the worst insurance company I have ever had to deal with. If you want a good quality insurance company with good customer care, do not insure with Hastings direct! Reviewed on: 21st June 2018

Over 45 minutes on & off hold, avoid!

Phoned to cancel policy less than a day old, was on & off hold for over 45 minutes. Then charged £60 for my time. Not happy, cannot recommend. Reviewed on: 15th June 2018

Great price with added bonuses.

I managed to save about £12 per month with my car insurance with Hastings Direct. Plus came with breakdown cover and other added bonuses. I have not had to call upon their services as yet but so far great company. Reviewed on: 9th June 2018

Just Don't Have an Accident

All is fine until you have an accident!!! we were in a no fault accident, we were passed to a claims company called Auxilis and had to sign a credit agreement to get our car repaired and get a "hire" car we now have to go to court as the other party won't pay if we don't we have to even though we were told the whole thing was insured and would not cost us a penny. I raised a complaint to Hastings and they were rude on the phone and just dismissed me and my complaint, I have 2 cars with them and wish i could cancel now but of course they charge if you try to cancel. I would NOT recommend to anyone Reviewed on: 30th May 2018

Unhelpful company

Unhelpful company, canceled my insurance based on too many quotes. Reviewed on: 13th April 2018

Insurance if you've got patience

Straight-forward insurance but be prepared to pay through the nose if you want to make changes to the policy Reviewed on: 5th April 2018

Poor customer service

Have tried to contact them for almost a week to cancel my policy renewal but the online service keeps saying not working and the phone number averages 20mins to answer, by-which time I've become so frustrated that I've hung up. Oddly my policy has gone up by Â£50 but if I go on their website its Â£50 cheaper for exactly the same, having got through to an operator they said they could get the price lowered!!!!!!!! why not do that anyway and keep a customer? Reviewed on: 3rd April 2018

Smashed car window

Recently had my car’s rear window smashed and suitcase stolen which was in the boot. Was dealt with appallingly by Hastings at the time. Very disappointed. But since reporting complaint am awaiting a response, so I’ll update my review depending on how that goes... Reviewed on: 28th March 2018

Tried cancelling a policy

Tried cancelling a policy, but really un helpful. Took over a hour to cancel. When asked to speak to a manger had to give a explanation on why. WILL NOT USE AGAIN. NOT RECOMMENDED!!!! Reviewed on: 12th February 2018

Rip off company

Never ever use this company. Rip off merchants. My car has been scrapped but instead of a piddly Â£20 ish refund no....they charge me a Â£45 cancellation fee and I owe them to cancel! Team leader was a waste of space. Would have got more help from talking to my dog that him!! Registered a complaint but looking at these reviews don't expect much! Car drivers don't use the company. Then they may have to become more customer centric! Reviewed on: 30th January 2018

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