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Hastings vs Drivelikeagirl - which is better?

Hi all,

I have only been driving for a year and was with Drivelikeagirl (DLAG) but now looking to renew my car insurance and I wanted to get some opinions and reviews on 2 insurance companies - Hastings essentials and Drivelikeagirl (parent company is Insurethebox I believe).

Does anyone have any experiences with these companies that they would like to share please?

Both have offered me a similar price with DLAG quoting me at £955 and Hastings at £930. One of the key differences is that DLAG has a telematics box fitted whereas Hastings don't.

Thanks in advance. :)
«1

Comments

  • System
    System Posts: 178,371 Community Admin
    10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Having just been involved with an accident I would say avoid Hastings at all costs .
    I've been told so much wrong information over the last week its unreal !!
    This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com
  • forgotmyname
    forgotmyname Posts: 32,953 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    mmm Bit like asking if i would like to be poked in the eye repeatedly with a sharp stick or be impaled on a rusty steel spike.

    Decisions decisions.....
    Censorship Reigns Supreme in Troll City...

  • stator
    stator Posts: 7,441 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    I would avoid the telemetrics box if possible. It adds the risk that they might not like your driving and increase your premium, or they might cancel your policy. If they cancel your policy you would have to declare it for the rest of your life, not a good idea.

    I had hastings insurance a few years ago with no problems. Someone made a spurious claim against my insurance but it all got sorted out in the end.
    Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.
  • They are the cheapest options available to me and as I am a full-time student, I got a pretty small budget. Thanks for sharing your experiences guys! So 1 for Hastings and 1 against Hastings so far...
  • wongataa
    wongataa Posts: 2,718 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I can't comment on either company myself but I would go for the one without the telematics box.

    You have no idea how the box will rate your driving and it could increase your premium.

    As there isn't much between the prices it is not worth the risk of the telematics.
  • Hastings have a terrible reputation. Avoid at all costs.

    I agree with everyone else, don't get a telematics box. They don't work properly, don't account for the type of car you are driving and often make mistakes. If the box randomly decides you are not a good driver you can be screwed for life by it.
  • rudekid48
    rudekid48 Posts: 2,382 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    Hastings have a terrible reputation. Avoid at all costs.

    I agree with everyone else, don't get a telematics box. They don't work properly, don't account for the type of car you are driving and often make mistakes. If the box randomly decides you are not a good driver you can be screwed for life by it.

    Rubbish. How are you screwed for life exactly? I'll give you that there are gaps in quality between device types but there is no 'randomly decides' involved.
    All matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves.
  • stator
    stator Posts: 7,441 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    rudekid48 wrote: »
    Rubbish. How are you screwed for life exactly? I'll give you that there are gaps in quality between device types but there is no 'randomly decides' involved.
    Pressumably they are referring to having your insurance cancelled, which is something you have to declare for the rest of your life and results in higher premiums. So if the box determines that you are a bad driver and the insurer cancels your policy, you are 'screwed for life'. There was a thread on this board recently about someone's daughter (I think) in this situation.
    Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.
  • rs65
    rs65 Posts: 5,682 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    jiggers wrote: »

    I have only been driving for a year and was with Drivelikeagirl (DLAG)

    If you have been happy with them and the telematics box, why change?
  • rudekid48
    rudekid48 Posts: 2,382 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts
    stator wrote: »
    Pressumably they are referring to having your insurance cancelled, which is something you have to declare for the rest of your life and results in higher premiums. So if the box determines that you are a bad driver and the insurer cancels your policy, you are 'screwed for life'. There was a thread on this board recently about someone's daughter (I think) in this situation.

    That thread was about getting a bad score not being cancelled.
    All matter is merely energy condensed to a slow vibration, we are all one consciousness experiencing itself subjectively, there is no such thing as death, life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves.
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