CAR INSURANCE to AVOID!

colinsway

After being charged £35 for a change of address, I found out too late that my "cheap" insurance was EXPENSIVE. Yes, my fault for not reading ALL the documentation etc. Yes, my fault for being in a rush.
So, after it was too late to cancel, I found out there was a number of restrictions on the policy - obviously to get the price down?? They had me at their mercy - because.
When dealing with their administration, most actions were chargeable and expensive, even "online updates". They obviously made their money from screwing the punter, once they had them signed up. Very efficient and professional at taking advantage of the situation. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

HASTINGS DIRECT - ONE TO AVOID AT ANY PRICE
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my_names_dave

You might not be aware of this, but the reason why car insurance administration charges are so high is because most companies actually make a loss to begin with when you buy your car insurance off a comparison site. Gocompare, moneysupermarket etc charge the insurers on their list around £50 per policy that is taken up on their site. So essentially they are -£50 down before they've even sent you your documents, hence the high admin charges to make up for that.

It's a sad state of affairs really. I think the only ones making any real money are the advertising agencies that do gocompares bloody annoying adverts!

keith1950

They obviously made their money from screwing the punter, once they had them signed up. Very efficient and professional at taking advantage of the situation. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

HASTINGS DIRECT - ONE TO AVOID AT ANY PRICE
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Yes, my fault for not reading ALL the documentation etc. Yes, my fault for being in a rush.

I don't know what the issue is.... you admit its your own fault for not reading all the terms and conditions !!

You always have to weigh up the cost of the policy against extra possible admin costs....you didn't !! simples.

rs65

If you avoid every insurer that charges fees, you won't be left with many.

forgotmyname

Wonder what your post would have read if you had a company that charged £75 admin fee then the costs of the additional premium.

_Andy_

Well I'm sure after having read out this insurance company adheres to the T&Cs that their customers agree to, people will be avoiding them in droves.

dmliverpool

I too am insured by a bunch of charge happy admin bureau's. I.e. diamond lets say I wont be renewing.

kingstreet

When you are looking for a mortgage, you take into account rate, fees, penalties etc.

You need to buy car insurance the same way.

Getting to the top of a comparison site screen is achieved by removing as many "add-ons" as possible and changing from rate-inclusive administration costs to separate explicit fees.

It needs more homework to ensure the policy you think is the cheapest for you really is the cheapest and most sensible option.

DCFC79

colinsway wrote: »

After being charged £35 for a change of address, I found out too late that my "cheap" insurance was EXPENSIVE. Yes, my fault for not reading ALL the documentation etc. Yes, my fault for being in a rush.
So, after it was too late to cancel, I found out there was a number of restrictions on the policy - obviously to get the price down?? They had me at their mercy - because.
When dealing with their administration, most actions were chargeable and expensive, even "online updates". They obviously made their money from screwing the punter, once they had them signed up. Very efficient and professional at taking advantage of the situation. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

HASTINGS DIRECT - ONE TO AVOID AT ANY PRICE
***************

The OP will come back at some point and say we all work for Hastings lol.

RichardD1970

I have recently insured with Hastings Direct, via Confused.com.

I knew exactly what was and wasn't included before signing on the dotted line. It was all quite clear with the option to add or remove features before paying.