Hastings Direct? Bah! So much for customer loyalty!

Suzy_Hastings

I'm spitting FEATHERS!! So much for supporting a local company, bah!! My car insurance renewal from Hastings Direct is more than double! I do exactly the same job as I've ever done, using exactly the same car as I've done for the past 7 years, even driving a shorter distance but... am now working for a local Hospice which is a charity... and because of this fact alone, my premiums have risen from £246.22 (when working at the Local Authority twice the distance away) to £513.67. Apparently, if I said I worked for the NHS it might be cheaper but I don't!!
I feel a letter to the local paper, my MP, and whoever else I can think off, is in the offing!

suvla_2

try sky insurance they saved me OVER £500 this year and another good company is brentacre , although im sure with every insurance company it just depends on your luck really

custardy

I feel a letter to the local paper, my MP, and whoever else I can think off, is in the offing

to what end?

Wutang_2

Suzy_Hastings wrote: »

I'm spitting FEATHERS!! So much for supporting a local company, bah!! My car insurance renewal from Hastings Direct is more than double! I do exactly the same job as I've ever done, using exactly the same car as I've done for the past 7 years, even driving a shorter distance but... am now working for a local Hospice which is a charity... and because of this fact alone, my premiums have risen from £246.22 (when working at the Local Authority twice the distance away) to £513.67. Apparently, if I said I worked for the NHS it might be cheaper but I don't!!
I feel a letter to the local paper, my MP, and whoever else I can think off, is in the offing!

They MAY think you're a bit mental

vaio

custardy wrote: »

to what end?

I'm guessing to highlight the illogicality/unfairness of the circumstances outlined in the OP.....same job, same car, less miles but insurance doubles because she's gone from working for the LA to working for a charity.

In these days when lots of public sector jobs are being outsourced to charities etc it does seem doubly unfair, not only do they generally end up on worse wages, terms & conditions, pensions, security etc but then the insurers rub salt in the wound by doubling your insurance.

OP...whatever the insurer, forget loyalty etc and hit the comparison sites

Rupert_Bear

Suzy_Hastings wrote: »

I'm spitting FEATHERS!! So much for supporting a local company, bah!! My car insurance renewal from Hastings Direct is more than double! I do exactly the same job as I've ever done, using exactly the same car as I've done for the past 7 years, even driving a shorter distance but... am now working for a local Hospice which is a charity... and because of this fact alone, my premiums have risen from £246.22 (when working at the Local Authority twice the distance away) to £513.67. Apparently, if I said I worked for the NHS it might be cheaper but I don't!!
I feel a letter to the local paper, my MP, and whoever else I can think off, is in the offing!

For goodness sake stop wasting all this negative energy. Be proactive and start by looking on the comparison sites.

I suggest you try about 3 different ones.;

Tesco quoted me 340 pound stg this year and went via a comparison site and got it for 250 pound stg.

custardy

vaio wrote: »

I'm guessing to highlight the illogicality/unfairness of the circumstances outlined in the OP.....same job, same car, less miles but insurance doubles because she's gone from working for the LA to working for a charity.

In these days when lots of public sector jobs are being outsourced to charities etc it does seem doubly unfair, not only do they generally end up on worse wages, terms & conditions, security etc but then the insurers rub salt in the wound by doubling your insurance.

OP...whatever the insurer, forget loyalty etc and hit the comparison sites

there are a million variables for that argument though
The OP was offered a price,not held at gunpoint

mikey72

It's a renewal, it wouldn't be the first time there was a 100% loading for being loyal. Shop around, you'll get a much better price.

Suzy_Hastings

No negative energy... was extremely proactive and went straight on the comparison websites as soon I came off the phone. Will be even more proactive writing to the local press and my MP! Vaio is exactly right to the reasons. I'd received my renewal notice and phoned them to tell them about the change to their "nature of business" listing (i.e. Local Authority to charitable hospice) and intending to pay the premium for the coming year.
The woman made the change to the policy, said she'd be back with an updated quote in a few minutes, put me on hold, came back and said that because of the change it was now £513.67. I said I'd only changed one thing and she said that it was solely because I now worked for a charity that the premium had increased. She said that unless I could confirm that I worked for a NHS hospital (which I don't) there was nothing they could do. I asked if I could speak to the underwriter, she said no, said that my policy would expire at midnight tomorrow unless I renewed it beforehand and put the phone down.
If Hastings Direct can't confirm that every driver living in Hastings and Eastbourne, who has been driving 30 years, with no claims or endorsements (ever!), have had their insurance more than doubled this year, then I think it IS a personal hit on charitable employees - primarily because the renewals clerk admitted that was the only reason my premium had doubled.
If I'd have kept quiet (invalidating my insurance in doing so) and left my "nature of business" as Local Authority, my premium for the coming year would have been £246.22 (as per the renewal notice I've recently received). Nothing to do with the area I live having a spate of claims.
And as for being "a bit mental", I think I would be if I don't bring the situation to peoples' attention. Why should me working for a charity rather than the local authority cost me twice as much?

mikey72

Try CSIS, they offer insurance to ex NHS if I remember.

custardy

Suzy_Hastings wrote: »

No negative energy... was extremely proactive and went straight on the comparison websites as soon I came off the phone. Will be even more proactive writing to the local press and my MP! Vaio is exactly right to the reasons. I'd received my renewal notice and phoned them to tell them about the change to their "nature of business" listing (i.e. Local Authority to charitable hospice) and intending to pay the premium for the coming year.
The woman made the change to the policy, said she'd be back with an updated quote in a few minutes, put me on hold, came back and said that because of the change it was now £513.67. I said I'd only changed one thing and she said that it was solely because I now worked for a charity that the premium had increased. She said that unless I could confirm that I worked for a NHS hospital (which I don't) there was nothing they could do. I asked if I could speak to the underwriter, she said no, said that my policy would expire at midnight tomorrow unless I renewed it beforehand and put the phone down.
If Hastings Direct can't confirm that every driver living in Hastings and Eastbourne, who has been driving 30 years, with no claims or endorsements (ever!), have had their insurance more than doubled this year, then I think it IS a personal hit on charitable employees - primarily because the renewals clerk admitted that was the only reason my premium had doubled.
If I'd have kept quiet (invalidating my insurance in doing so) and left my "nature of business" as Local Authority, my premium for the coming year would have been £246.22 (as per the renewal notice I've recently received). Nothing to do with the area I live having a spate of claims.
And as for being "a bit mental", I think I would be if I don't bring the situation to peoples' attention. Why should me working for a charity rather than the local authority cost me twice as much?

Why did me changing from working as a chef to a full time student, cause a massive hike in my insurance?