The curious case of renewing with Hastings Direct

muhandis

Ah, aren't they all the same?

Jokes aside, I have an old banger that does barely 2000 miles a year for which all I need is 3rd party cover (or third party fire and theft which is usually cheaper than TP only), so I go for whatever's cheapest and most convenient.

I like their online portal, the fact that they're the cheapest for me every year and that there's no NCB proof to worry about as long as I stay with them, so why change.

EdGasket wrote: »

Why would you buy a policy from a company that doesn't seem to know what they are doing? Asking for trouble.

takman

muhandis wrote: »

Ah, aren't they all the same?

Jokes aside, I have an old banger that does barely 2000 miles a year for which all I need is 3rd party cover (or third party fire and theft which is usually cheaper than TP only), so I go for whatever's cheapest and most convenient.

I like their online portal, the fact that they're the cheapest for me every year and that there's no NCB proof to worry about as long as I stay with them, so why change.

Have you tried getting quotes for fully comp insurance? that is usually cheaper than TPFT, especially for low value vehicles.

DoaM

foxy-stoat wrote: »

And if they refused renewal?

Technically ... they refused to give a quote for renewal; they still did give a new quote and accepted OP's business under the terms of the new quote.

IMHO the OP has nothing to worry about.

muhandis

You're right it often is.


Comp came out on top the first two years, but TPFT has been cheaper last year and for the new policy.

takman wrote: »

Have you tried getting quotes for fully comp insurance? that is usually cheaper than TPFT, especially for low value vechicles.

Mercdriver

foxy-stoat wrote: »

And if they refused renewal?

It is still a refusal to give a quotation, not a cancellation or a refusal to insure in the sense that it has to be declared.

EdGasket

muhandis wrote: »

so why change.

Why? Because you don't seem sure you are properly covered for 1 and are worrying about it now.
2) it might only be third party but if you run someone down and it turns out you aren't covered, guess who is liable for damages?
3) Hastings don't have a good name for reasons like you have already discovered. i.e. poor customer service.

albo_uk

If u are over 37yrs i could recommend a cheap or for u if u want
I was with them last time

muhandis

Thanks for your comments.

1. I am properly covered at the moment and have documentation stating that I am covered from expiry of my current policy in a few weeks (unless as I say above, Hastings does something in the meantime).

2. As I mentioned above, soon as the new policy starts, I will make sure that my policy is still live on their website and on MIB so there is no risk of driving without TP cover.

3. Yeah, they suck, I completely agree. But it serves the purpose.

EdGasket wrote: »

Why? Because you don't seem sure you are properly covered for 1 and are worrying about it now.
2) it might only be third party but if you run someone down and it turns out you aren't covered, guess who is liable for damages?
3) Hastings don't have a good name for reasons like you have already discovered. i.e. poor customer service.

mechamanz

muhandis wrote: »

So, my car's been insured with Hastings Direct for the past three years. Expiry on the latest policy was up in 3 weeks and I still hadn't received a renewal quote.


Upon sending their customer service an email, they replied saying that their panel of insurers weren't able to quote on my policy and so the policy will expire on the set date and I need to arrange my own insurance.


I went on confused.com, put in all my details and lo and behold Hastings is right at the top (like it has been ever since I've been with them) on a comparison. I thought it's probably a mistake and then went to the Hastings Direct website and did a quote, again got a very competitive price that I was happy with.


I went ahead and bought the policy online and got an email a few minutes later saying the policy documents are available online and recommending that I register. I've been registered online for a few years now so I just logged in and I see the new policy right there with all the relevant documentation!


So my question is, should I do anything more to investigate as to why they said they can't offer me a policy or just leave it as it is?


I'm inclined to just leave it as I have a policy, I have the documents, it's showing on my Hastings online login and also because Hastings are a pain to communicate with on the phone.

Sorry for reviving an old thread, but i am in a similar position where my insurance will expire on 31/04/2018, and i wish to purchase a policy starting on the 01/05/2018, the reason for this is because i have found that the premium is a cheaper the more in-advance the policy is taken. My question is, at what point will they ask for NCB proof? Since i have not received the renewal letter this would mean i do not have this years NCB right? Will they request this when the policy is effect (after 01/05/2018) or after i purchase the policy (next few days/weeks).

Thanks,

Abul

societys_child

My question is, at what point will they ask for NCB proof?

Don't know about Hastings, but it varies between insurers, if they have details of your previous insurer, some will contact them directly, some may ask you to provide/ upload proof, some may not ask . . unless you need to claim.