Smart Money People Logo

Hastings Direct: Car Insurance reviews

3.09
Based on 638 reviews, last reviewed 22nd Nov 2024
50% decrease in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
57% 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.

Hastings Direct Car Insurance reviews (638)

Review of the Hastings Direct, Car Insurance:

Easy to sign up

5
Really easy to take out a new policy online, website clearly shows options and different products Reviewed on: 25th August 2023

car insurance claim

1
I have had a live claim since March this year, the customer service from start to finish has been appalling so far. The lack of communication from the beginning of the claim has been non existent, I have had to call each and every time to be met with advisors who have no clue what they are doing at all. They pass you from department to department and each and every advisor has no clue what to do or how to handle information. Passed to their legal team 1 email in July since then nothing. I would not recommend using Hasting Direct for any insurance at all. Reviewed on: 15th November 2023

One star as zero isnt an option

1
One star only because zero isn’t an option!!! I’ve been driving for 12 years, maximum no claims bonus. Never made a claim in my life not even a windscreen claim. I’ve been a loyal customer for years with Hastings then suddenly this morning I get an email saying they can’t renew this year. None of my details have changed, I live in the countryside, I’m probably one of the lowest risk people you could possibly want to insure. They won’t give a reason for why they won’t renew me just a straight no after all these years of paying in full every year and being a loyal customer! Absolute joke. I can’t wait to see the day Hastings insurance goes into liquidation, karma. I hope everyone you insure make claims this year Reviewed on: 13th November 2023

Insurance quote doubled in price again

1
So I just recieved my insurance quote fron Hastings direct which has more than doubled to now be £1048/year for a diesel audi TT. This is now the second year that they have doubled my premium with no reason and customer services that tell you no discount for long existing customer. Pay it of leave is their advise.This is from October 2023. This company is a money grabbing joke. Reviewed on: 26th October 2023

Worst insurance company

1
This is the worst insurance company I have had the displeasure of using. Lacked communication and not easy to get a hold of when it came to issues on repairs to cars.. Stay away from this company if you don’t want to be disappointed. Reviewed on: 22nd October 2023

Not covered

2
Found my car in morning with smashed front windscreen. No idea what or who did it. Called to make claim on insurance( fully comp including windscreen cover) passed to another department to arrange replacement only to find it would take five days( weather dependant). Enquired about a replacement while car is waiting to be repaired( a must for getting to work) I was told I can't get courtisy car. My policy includes courtisy car? I was told that as it wasn't involved in accident and was drivable I didn't qualify for courtisy car. This wasn't little chip or crack it was full on smashed. How is anyone able to drive when they can't see. Insurance doubled last renewal but I wasn't bothered as I thought was best to keep policy to be covered for any eventuality. What a mug, I will defiantly be shopping around when it's due for renewal. Not only out of pocket for premium for repair but also weeks work. Reviewed on: 20th October 2023

Poor customer service

1
Insurance cancelled because I failed to login to an app within a set time frame. Nightmare when you are away working and didn’t open emails entitled ‘please login to your app’ hardly urgent or suggestive of a cancelled policy. Told over the phone that ‘this maybe is not the company for you’ when I questioned why I had to login to an app to keep my policy! Stay away people if you work long hours as this discriminates against you! Reviewed on: 18th October 2023

Good change of mind

4
Got an increased renewal that seemed high On asking to rethink got a much better quote Unhappy with the initial high quote but very happy with response Reviewed on: 11th September 2023

£20 Charge to end policy even though policy had come to end !

1
Do not bother with their car insurance, as they want auto renew at the end of policy. My policy ran out, I did not want to renew it ....they charge £20 ....very sneaky will never use them again. Reviewed on: 1st September 2023

Windscreen repair gone wrong

2
I had a smashed windscreen which was repaired by their approved repairer. The repair was shoddy with glass rattling around the car, and after a few weeks I noticed water in the boot after rain. On close inspection, I noticed the bodywork was damaged just above the top seal. After being consistently phoned off by the approved repairer, I called Hastings (Pink Insure) to get them to intervene - after all my insurance contract is with them and they imposed the repairer. They passed me on to the repairer without trying to help at all. Only since I have put a complaint in writing, are they trying half heartedly to chase the repairer, all by email. No-one has called me to explain the situation yet. I am eight weeks post repairs and 6 weeks post raising the issue. It looks like it is going to have to go to the Ombudsman and it is still raining in my car. A lot of time and energy wasted in not taking responsibility, when it would have been so much more efficient to call the car to be assessed by a garage and to come up with a solution which they could then sort out at their end with the approved repairer. Lovely when renewing and taking your money but not so impressive when problems happen. Reviewed on: 30th August 2023

Cheap insurance

5
Looked at comparison sights and they gave the cheapest quote, saving me about £150 per year vs renewal. Other quotes were similar in price but slightly more expensive. Reviewed on: 30th August 2023

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

There's still more to see!

Hastings Direct has a range of products available. Check the ratings of each product to find the right one for you. View all products