Hastings Direct Insurance Reviews: Customer Feedback

Looking for in-depth info on Hastings Direct car insurance and reviews? You’re in the right place. Many customers find Hastings Direct’s car insurance policies and products to be reliable and cheap, 4.2/5 on Trustpilot. But there’s more to these reviews than just the score.

You’ll see a range of opinions on their service, claims and value. For example their car insurance customer score was 60%, lower than other insurers. These will help you decide if Hastings Direct is right for your car insurance policy and you.

About

Hastings Direct is a well known insurer. They offer a range of products and you can buy insurance online. They have had many reviews from customers.

History of Hastings Direct

Hastings Direct was founded in 1996. They are based in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. Over the years they have expanded by offering direct insurance to customers through digital and phone channels.

In 2009 they were acquired by Insurance Australia Group. Later they became part of Hastings Group Holdings PLC. This allowed market value of them to grow much more.

Today they are an advantage insurance company known for their cheap prices and simple policies. They have won several industry awards for customer service and innovation in insurance.

Products

Hastings Direct offer a range of products to customers. Their main products are car, home and bike insurance. For car insurance they offer three levels of cover: third party, third party fire and theft and comprehensive.

Home insurance is buildings and contents insurance cancelled is cover to protect your home and belongings. Bike insurance is also available for various types of motorcycles.

They also offer optional extras like breakdown cover, legal protection and personal accident cover. These allow you to tailor your policies to your individual needs. With a focus on digital solutions buying and managing your insurance with Hastings Direct is designed to be easy and stress free.

For more info visit their Trustpilot reviews or website.

Customer Experience

Hastings Direct have several ways to get in touch and the cost of their support varies depending on customer reviews. Here’s a breakdown of their contact options and customer service.

Contact Options

Hastings Direct have multiple contact options for customer service. You can call them which some customers find convenient but sometimes time consuming. For specific claims issues they have a dedicated number: 0333 321 9800.

They also have email support for non-urgent issues. Some users find online services useful but one review mentions difficulty in switching off auto-renewal and had to call instead.

Live chat may also be an option for quicker responses but it’s not as commonly mentioned in reviews.

Support

Customer reviews show mixed results for support. Many users like the initial buying process and the information provided.

Positive comments include cheap prices and easy to choose the right policy (read more). Some customers have issues with auto-renewals and claims. One user got a low car value payout.

Customer service can be slow and you may need to follow up multiple times. Expect both smooth and frustrating interactions.

Claims

The claims process with Hastings Direct is to file a claim and know the settlement time frame. Knowing these steps will help you manage your expectations and make it easier.

File a Claim

To file a claim with Hastings Direct you can contact their Claims team by phone or email. The phone number is 0333 321 9800 or you can email them at customer service with your claim reference in the subject line. Make sure to include all the necessary details including date, time and location of the incident.

Include any photographic evidence and witness statements if you have them. This will speed up the process and make it easier for your claim to be processed. Make sure to provide all the information accurately to avoid delays.

You will get a confirmation and a reference number. Keep this reference number handy as you will need it for any follow up.

Claim Settlement Timeframe

The claim timeframe will vary depending on your case. Simple claims are usually resolved within a few days to a week. If further investigation is required it may take longer. Hastings Direct will process each claim as quickly and efficiently as possible.

You will be updated on the progress of your claim. Regular phone or email updates will tell you what additional information is required and what decisions have been made. Make sure to respond to all my details and any requests as soon as possible to avoid further delays.

If you have any issues you can contact their own customer care service. Keep your documents and communication in order will make the process smoother.

Policyholder Rating

Hastings Direct policyholder rating is mixed, some like convenience and prices, others are frustrated with the claims process and poor customer service. Reviews are a mix of positive and negative.

Customer Reviews

Many users find Hastings Direct easy and cheap. One review says “very easy and hassle free” and good value. Another customer likes the “competitive prices” and options for tailored cover.

Some users are not happy, especially with renewals and customer service. One user got a huge increase competitive price in their renewal quote and switched to another provider. So while initial experience may be smooth, ongoing satisfaction may vary.

Survey

In a Which? survey Hastings Direct scored 60% for customer satisfaction, 22nd out of 27 car insurers. There’s room for improvement compared to top performers.

Breakdown of the survey shows Hastings Direct’s standard policy scored 64%, 13th out of 28. Claims score was 59%, 23rd out of 25. These figures highlight where customers feel improvements needed, especially in claims.

Prices and Charges

Knowing the prices and charges with Hastings Direct is important to make an informed decision. Key things to consider are competitive pricing, discounts and offers available to existing customers.

Price Comparison

Hastings Direct is cheap. Many users like the ease of comparing different cover and costs. For example according to Trustpilot reviews customers say Hastings Direct is good value with lots of customisable add-ons.

While the prices are competitive, it’s worth noting that they rank lower in some customer surveys. According to a Which? review Hastings Direct scored 60% for customer satisfaction, 22nd out of 27 insurers. So while the cost may be lower the service quality may vary.

Discounts and Offers

Hastings Direct has several discounts and offers to reduce the cost of insurance. Some of the discounts are multi-policy discounts and no-claims bonus. These discounts can reduce your premiums if you qualify.

And customers get exclusive online offers when buying or renewing. These offers may be reduced premiums or extra services for free. According to a Trustpilot review customers say it’s easy to get these deals and good value for money.

Always check for special offers and read the terms to get the most out of these offers.

Cover

When looking at Hastings Direct insurance you need to know what their policies cover and what options are available.

Standard Cover

Hastings Direct’s standard cover includes several key protections. You get liability cover which van insurance that covers damages to other people or property caused by your vehicle. This is compulsory in the UK.

You also get accident cover which covers the cost of repairing your car and home insurance in case of an accident. Another feature is theft protection which covers your new car if it’s stolen.

Standard cover also includes fire damage protection. If your vehicle catches fire the insurance will cover the cost to repair or replace it. Windscreen cover for repairing or replacing broken windows.

Extras and Features

Hastings Direct also has several add-ons to your car policy here. Breakdown cover is popular, if your car breaks down on the road. Legal protection is another option, to support legal expenses if you need to defend against claims or pursue compensation.

Personal accident cover is another useful add-on. If you get severely injured in a car accident this feature will give you financial support. And a courtesy car while yours is being repaired after an incident.

You can also choose key protection. This can be a lifesaver if you lose your car keys, it will cover the cost of replacing them. Another useful feature is no-claims discount protection which will let you keep your discount even if you need to make a claim.

Choosing the right combination of extras will customise your policy to your needs.

Renewal and Cancellation

Hastings Direct has auto-renewal on their insurance policies. This means your policy will renew automatically at the end of the term unless you cancel it. Some customers like this as it means continuous cover.

Auto-renewal charges can vary greatly. For example a policy renewal price can go from £580 to £686 with no change in your circumstances. More info here.

Cancelling auto-renewal can be tricky. Many users say you can’t turn off auto-renewal through the app and have to call customer service instead. This can be a long and frustrating process. A review about this issue here.

If you want to avoid auto-renewal contact Hastings Direct well before your renewal date. Be persistent if you have trouble with the process.

Premiums can increase. A customer had their premium go from £315.31 to £551.55 with no change to their circumstances. More here.

By knowing these things about Hastings Direct’s renewal and cancellation fee part of insurance policy you can manage your insurance better and avoid extra charges.

Financial Strength and Stability

Hastings Direct’s financial strength and market position is key to their ability to provide insurance services. Looking at their credit ratings and market position will give you an idea of the insurance company it’s stability and reputation.

Credit Ratings

Credit ratings are important as they show a company’s ability to pay its debts. Hastings Direct has average credit ratings from the major rating agencies. For example Fitch and Moody’s give Hastings Direct a stable outlook. These ratings mean Hastings Direct can meet its financial obligations but with some level of risk compared to top tier insurers.

Key benefits of these credit ratings:

• Reliability: A stable outlook means the company won’t go bust anytime soon.

• Risk awareness: Helps you know the risks of choosing Hastings Direct over others with higher ratings.

These are important so your claims are handled quickly and your policy is safe.

Market Position

Hastings Direct has a big presence in the UK car insurance market. They are known for their competitive pricing and choice of cover. They ranked joint 22nd out of 27 car insurers in a recent survey for customer satisfaction. That puts them in the middle tier, good in some areas but not so good in others.

They have had such a great level and big market share due to strong marketing and lots of customer friendly products. You can get competitive rates and good service from this but you need to consider their credit ratings too.