I took out car insurance with this provider online using MoneySupermarket. Com. When I received my policy a few minutes later, I discovered a couple of errors. Hastings direct had started my insurance a day earlier than I’d indicated on my online form. They had also reduced the value of my car.
I called to advise them of the errors. I was told this could not be corrected without my policy being cancelled and re-quoted and I also need to take into account that the premium I originally paid may also increase when re-quoted. I informed HastingsDirect that I was not willing to pay a higher premium than that originally taken out and already paid in full. True to their word, they re-quoted my policy at a slightly higher amount than what I originally paid. When I refused to pay the difference in price, I was immediately told that if I cancel the policy, which incidentally is not even 24hrs old, I will be penalised £20 retainer fee! Apparently, this was noted on the website when I took out the policy, but HastingsDirect cannot even send me evidence to support this claim involving the £20 policy. I will be referring my complaint to the financial ombudsman as HastingsDirect are misleading consumers.
Reviewed on: 20th June 2019
