Hastings Direct - Default notice

Nick2707

After a little bit of advice but i'll run through my current scenario first.

I have taken home insurance out with this group, on the 21st Jan Due to unforeseen circumstances my bank recalled the direct debit, this is the 1st and only time i have missed a payment to Hastings. Rather stupidly I ignored it presuming they would try and re-take the money after a week or so like most other financial organisations. However I received a letter today (dated the 24th) very clearly stating

IMPORTANT.
PLEASE READ THIS LETTER - IT REQUIRES YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION
Default Notice Service under section 87(1) of the consumer Credit Act 1974

(Then the usual about having to pay the full amount in 7days blah blah blah)

Having had a little trouble with debt in my youth and knowing a minute amount about the subject this sent the alarm bells ringing. I immediatley phoned them, got tossed between the finance department and home insurance, but eventually paid the outstanding amount (£67) and changed my payment date to one more suited within the month. When this was completed I asked whether the default notice had been posted on my credit file, the very nice girl then started telling me that even if it had it wouldn't affect my credit file and only my bank would know, well that's the way it work with car insurance she said. When I emphasised my concerns over the matter she said I should talk to my bank instead and ask them? I pointed out that my bank wouldn't give me details about my credit file, she argued the point and appeared not to know anything about experian (not forgetting this is the finance department I'm speaking with).

Time to ask to speak to someone more senior to get this sorted! 5 minutes later she came back on the phone and said that she had spoken to the finance manager and they had confrimed exactly what she had said. Knowing her to be wrong, I insisted that i now speak with the 'finance manager' that confirmed her story. Another couple of minutes and she's back, 'I've spoken to my supervisor and she'll give you a ring back'. I've had 1 missed call so far, the phone was in my pocket and before I could answer it it had rung off, so i'm awaiting to hear what they say.


I think i read somewhere that companies have to give you at least 7 days notice before posting a default - is this correct?

Has anyone else had issues with Hastings and how were they resolved?

At this point even if a default notice has been posted, I'm unsure whether the finance department at Hastings would know and I'll probably have to pay for a copy of my credit file (I've used creditexpert.com before so no eligible for the free trial). What's the best way to get it removed and if I have to pay for my file can i reclaim this back from Hastings?

Any advice or observations would be warmly welcomed
Thanks in anticipation