Hastings Direct Warning

rf065

Anyone thinking of buying insurance from Hastings Direct?
I did after a search on various comparison sites came up with them as one of the cheapest quotes, I'd also ticked the box that only considered policies offering European cover as we were planning a trip to France & Spain.

Well checking the policy today and the European cover is only the legal minimum, i.e. third party. A quick phone call and it transpires that they want another £88 to give me fully comp insurance for a 13 day trip in Europe.

And better still, if we go to Europe again before the policy ends next year, we would have to pay again for European cover as the £88 is for this trip only.

Certainly my one and only time with Hastings Direct, once bitten twice shy etc!

Russ

InsideInsurance

Think it is also a warning to ensure you read what you are buying before paying for it.

Aggregators are useful but are trying to heavily simplify what is a really a fairly complex product.

rf065

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Think it is also a warning to ensure you read what you are buying before paying for it.

I agree, but only the policy document tells you that the european cover is only 3rd party and you only see that after you have paid.

Russ

Spiderham

As an aside it may be worth looking at those without European as standard and seeing what their price is for European cover as an "add-on" product. Some may not include it but offer a good level for longer period for an additional fee, with a lower total amount.

murdomaguire

One other point of warning: if you plan to insure a leased car then you MUST declare it as being leased. Hastings Direct's main underwriter (and sister company) "Advantage" do not cover leased cars and will refuse to indemnify if you if there is an accident or the vehicle is stolen.

rf065

Spiderham wrote: »

As an aside it may be worth looking at those without European as standard and seeing what their price is for European cover as an "add-on" product. Some may not include it but offer a good level for longer period for an additional fee, with a lower total amount.

I've been told that 3rd party european cover is included in all UK insurance policies by law anyway, so if that is the case you cannot buy a policy without this cover.

Unless the european cover is fully comp, I don't think comparison sites should include the likes of Hastings for policies that include europe.

Russ

cool-dog

murdomaguire wrote: »

One other point of warning: if you plan to insure a leased car then you MUST declare it as being leased. Hastings Direct's main underwriter (and sister company) "Advantage" do not cover leased cars and will refuse to indemnify if you if there is an accident or the vehicle is stolen.

Absolute nonsense!

Quentin

Murdomaguire is a troll who comes here from time to time spouting nonsense.

It seems to be some revenge for the short shrift given when using an alter ego for some self promotion! We know who "he" really is.

(Thanks to HO87 for the detective work):

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/40796330#Comment_40796330

murdomaguire

cool-dog wrote: »

Absolute nonsense!

Actually not.

The case referred to relates to a client who leased a second hand car from Ducton. A year into the lease she shopped around for insurance and used a comparison site.

The cheapest quote was from Hastings and she accepted it and paid the premium. Hastings are a broker and the insurance policy was underwritten with their Gibraltar based underwriter "Advantage".

Last year the car caught fire on the motorway. The car was written off. She attempted to claim on the policy but was told that Advantage do not insure leased cars. Hence they refused to indemnify.

The case has been appealed through the insurers own procedures and is currently wending its way towards the Ombudsman.

Any insurer can refuse any risk they wish but the question arises (and her case will turn) on whether the policyholder was properly and adequately warned that the cover would specifically exclude a leased car if underwritten by Advantage.

The case can be fully documented.

Insurance policies which exclude leased cars are not unusual and unless you have something worthwhile or factual to add you might be better off not rubbishing others.

starrystarry

I seem to remember a thread on here a few weeks ago from someone who had a claim turned down under similar circumstances. Can't remember the particulars.

EDIT: Here it is...

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3324832

murdomaguire

Quentin wrote: »

Murdomaguire is a troll who comes here from time to time spouting nonsense.

Just more rubbish from would-be queen bee Quentin.

It's not nonsense. The case stands as I said it does and is not unusual. Several underwriters and insurers will refuse cover for leased cars as they claim they are a higher risk.

Unfortunately many people do not know this.

So when they go to a comparison site and fail to declare full details of how the car is owned they may end up with a worthless policy.

The problem comes when they try to claim of course and the insurer refuses to settle.

If that happens to you then you will quickly form an opinion as to who is "spouting nonsense" but don't put your money on Quentin.