WARNING! For Hastings Direct Car Policy Holders

shoppingnoodles

Hi there.

My insurance is with Hastings Direct and was due for renewal on 17th May. Having checked that I couldn't get a better deal elsewhere, I decided to renew with them.

Their letter stated " you don't need to do a thing as we will automatically renew your policy". I knew that my credit card details were unchanged, so I took them at their word and awaited the cover document.

Yesterday, I checked my card to see if payment had been taken and saw that it hadn't. I called Hastings who told me that there had been a computer error and my policy had lasped and not renewed. :eek:
They fully admitted that this was their error. However, they then tried to charge me £80 more than the original quote, which I contested. A supervisor said that I would have to pay it and that they would refund me the difference by cheque. They also agreed that I should complain formally as I have been left uninsured through no fault of my own.

If you have recently re insured with Hastings, please check that you really are insured, as I can't be the only person that the computer incorrectly lapsed. I just hope that I haven't been caught by the police in the few days before I twigged and I really hope that nobody has had an accident if the same has happened to them. Fingers crossed.

adamc260

You may want to consider how much difference a BETTER insurer would be and vote with your feet

huckster

You could stitch Hastings up. If they have had a number of policies not renewing due to a computer glitch, they are supposed to inform the FSA, as part of incident reporting procedures.

I am not sure how you would go about this as a consumer, but the FSA might be interested.

It would be unnacceptable for them to charge the extra £80 even if they are refunding.

A complaint to the FOS and FSA would be in order.

shoppingnoodles

You are probably quite right, but I needed to get something done PDQ today as I have to use my car. Also I felt it may strengthen my position if I had renewed as I intended, in case I have actually been caught by the Police in that time. I won't leave it there though and have formally complained.
As for using a "better" insurer, that a bit of a lottery too, from what I've seen after 26 years of car ownership!:(

PaloAlto

My car insurance from Hastings Direct expired on 21st May. Last year I received an auto-renewal notice from them about a month beforehand. This year I received no reminder whatsoever.

It wasn't until the 25th May that it occurred to me that I hadn't had a renewal notice. I checked my bank but the money had not been taken to renew the policy either. (The debit card they used last year is still current.) I tried ringing them only to end up in a queue, being told they were "very busy". I gave up after waiting several minutes.

Notwithstanding the new continuous insurance rules, I needed insurance for that day anyway. So I followed the advice elsewhere on this website for getting car insurance, and went to Go Compare. I've now got insurance with Esure. It's a better policy and cost over £100 LESS than last year's renewal with Hastings Direct.

I tried ringing Hastings Direct again but ended up waiting in their queue yet again and giving up. I've emailed their complaints department but heard nothing back yet. They've still not taken anything from my bank (thankfully, now) so I presume they'd rather not have the business. I certainly won't be using Hastings Direct again and wouldn't recommend them!

vax2002

Insurance is by way of Legal document, if you do not have the certificate ALWAYS assume you do not have insurance and make enquires to that effect. DAILY

pompeyfaith

Shoppingnoddles,

If they have admitted it was there fault get that in writing by making an official complaint I say this because just in case you have been zapped by police cameras.