Hastings-Car Insurance Cancelled Without Notice

deejay1001

More of a warning than anything else.

Long story cut short.

Had an e-mail this morning 31/10/18 from Hastings telling me my insurance policy had been cancelled from 30/10/18.

Phoned them and was told it had been cancelled at the request of the underwriter but they were unable to tell me why.

Tried to get insurance elsewhere but unable to as could not give reason for cancellation.

Phoned ombudsmen who informed me they must give me a reason for the cancellation.

Phoned Hastings again - still could/would not give reason for cancellation but said they would give me a quote for a new policy. 15 minutes on phone giving details etc and was then told none of their underwriters would insure me as I was unable to give reason for original policy cancellation.

Phoned ombudsman again and was told to make a formal complaint to Hastings which I did via e-mail.

Midday postie delivered a letter from Hastings dated 29/10/18 telling me they had received information suggesting my details may have been used to open fraudulent insurance policies and that I had 7 days from date of letter to contact them.

Phoned Hastings again and was more or less told tough luck, nothing we can do for you go somewhere else for your insurance.

Contacted insurer dealing with people who had policies cancelled and managed to get insured but at over twice the cost. This premium penalty is going to affect me for years.

I have added to the complaint to Hastings since receiving the above mentioned letter asking them what happened to the 7 day period I had to contact them before my policy was cancelled and what they are going to do to redress a problem that is not of my making.

If there is any interest I will update this post as and when.

Nasqueron

While this is the PPI forum the advice in this case is the same - complain to the insurer, when they issue a formal response, escalate to the FOS if unsatisfactory.



Did you play around with your quote to get lower details using your actual data (e.g. changing job title, adding/removing points etc) as these can trigger fraud issues at the insurer.

deejay1001

Nasqueron wrote: »

While this is the PPI forum the advice in this case is the same - complain to the insurer, when they issue a formal response, escalate to the FOS if unsatisfactory.

I realised I had posted in the wrong forum but don't know how to get it moved.

Nasqueron wrote: »

Did you play around with your quote to get lower details using your actual data (e.g. changing job title, adding/removing points etc) as these can trigger fraud issues at the insurer.

The only thing I did when getting quotes was to see the difference in quotes if I added my wife (who has had a domestic policy cancelled) as a named driver. I ended up not adding her and the policy has been in place for nearly 8 months. The letter I received stated they had received information that may have suggested my details had been used to open fraudulent policies ???

I have opened an official complaint with Hastings and await a response.


Thanks for your input

deejay1001

Got in touch with underwriter who intervened with Hastings on my behalf.

Just 3 working days after that, full apology from Hastings, full refund of the cost of my policy plus extra £100 compensation.

Contacted new insurer and got new quote considering Hasting's apology, cost substantially reduced.

Result: 8 months insurance free of charge, refund and compensation more than enough to pay next 12 months insurance.

Hastings did offer to reinstate policy but for it took me no time at all to decide to go elsewhere.

lisyloo

Thank you for posting. I won't be using them.