Beware of Hastings Direct

PaulThorpe

BEWARE Hastings Direct. My Daughter and Grandaughter were involved in a minor collision with what can only be described as an insurance scammer who claimed injuries and even changed the gender of the passenger inside the vehicle at the time of the accident.

Despite having witnesses Hastings Direct found my Daughter at fault, she lost her no claims bonus and paid out the insurance scammer.

This was because they didn't want to fight her corner it was cheaper to pay out.

This isn't about money for us, more warning others that Hastings Direct offered appalling customer care and service and clearly aren't one your side even when you're clearly not at fault.

I would avoid using this company at all costs.

worried_jim

Do you think any other insurance company would have done it any different?

PaulThorpe wrote: »

This was because they didn't want to fight her corner it was cheaper to pay out.

Sounds like good business practice, keeping cost to a minimum thus keeping prices lower to the customer.

straighttalker

What were the accident circumstances?

PaulThorpe

Basically my Daughter was hit by a vehicle that entered a roundabout without stopping and at speed. Crashed into her car, apologised in front of witness and admitted liability. Later claimed it was her fault, despite witness strongly disagreeing, and claimed injuries for himself AND for a passenger that didn't exist. Hastings Direct found against my Daughter. I cannot even begin to tell you why. This is not about money, its about warning others. Hastings Direct have basically told me its cheaper for them to pay out than to fight my Daughters corner. She losses no claims bonus. And the scammer gets paid out. We all get higher insurance bills...

PaulThorpe

Good business practice? Paying out insurance scammers will not keep down the price of our insurance Jim. Quite the opposite.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

PaulThorpe wrote: »

Basically my Daughter was hit by a vehicle that entered a roundabout without stopping and at speed. Crashed into her car, apologised in front of witness and admitted liability. Later claimed it was her fault, despite witness strongly disagreeing, and claimed injuries for himself AND for a passenger that didn't exist. Hastings Direct found against my Daughter. I cannot even begin to tell you why. This is not about money, its about warning others. Hastings Direct have basically told me its cheaper for them to pay out than to fight my Daughters corner. She losses no claims bonus. And the scammer gets paid out. We all get higher insurance bills...

did the "scammer" come from her left or her right on the roundabout?

Astronaughtwannabe

worried_jim wrote: »

Do you think any other insurance company would have done it any different?



Sounds like good business practice, keeping cost to a minimum thus keeping prices lower to the customer.

A select few would but they're in it for the longer term investment.


The industry has to change but Hastings are a bottom feeder so I doubt they have a vision beyond immediate grubbing for the crumbs.

PaulThorpe

Really just wanted to point out the pitfalls when using this Company, I would never use them again and would strongly advise others to be aware of their practices when being asked to defend their insured. I'm sure we want our children to be properly insured and protected. But Hastings Direct weren't interested at all. Thanks for replying and for reading.

Astronaughtwannabe

Doesn't sound like a crash for cash MO and the pr!cis you've given leads to to believe that there's a bit more to this.


Even Hastings are unlikely to pay out on the described scenario.

PaulThorpe

She was on the roundabout, he came from her straight on as she was progressing around the roundabout. He just didn't stop and was speeding by his own admission. Hastings Direct said that this could not be proven even with a witness! He later denied speeding and they believed him. Also, the passenger he claimed for did not exist. Witness statement seemingly ignored??? Moral of the story is take pictures, take audio with phone if possible and cover as many angles as possible.

PaulThorpe

Astronaughtwannabe wrote: »

Doesn't sound like a crash for cash MO and the pr!cis you've given leads to to believe that there's a bit more to this.


Even Hastings are unlikely to pay out on the described scenario.

Nope, that's honestly it... I can't believe it myself and we've been fighting for months. There's no financial motives for me. I've paid to put her car right and I'm not bothered about that in any case. The part that really gets me is the so called "passenger" that wasn't there! Absolutely crazy verdict. We're calling in the Police now. Its our last resort. I can't bear these scammers who are basically just criminals.