Hastings Essential Avis 

Had 5 calls all morning to sort out my insurance claim which was put down as a Non-Fault accident instead a windscreen claim. Finally got the claim people to change it which takes 24 hours to do, so they sent me an email to prove what had happened Admiral accepted the email and insured my car. I tried to insure me onto my partner's car as well with the same email, told by Hastings essential that I needed a PDF form? Obviously annoyed as been doing this all morning calling around, when I tried to explain this to the gentleman he then started talking over me and being rude. Would not recommend absolutely terrible service. If admiral accepted it why couldn't you?

Really bad customer service i was with them for a year then when I bought a new car they wanted £110 upfront then added an extra £20 a month on top and when I wanted to leave they wanted £64 when I looked about it was the same if not cheaper. If I had seen these reviews I wouldn't have gone with them, avoid if you like your money to stay in your wallet and you don't want a bad customer service experience.

Awful experience with customer service .
How are they getting away with such poor standards and where on earth do the five stars come in this company shouldn't have one star.
Who actually monitors this company and the standards they are suppose to adhere to absolutely shocking that Hastings are not being investigated or pulled into line.
Someone isn't doing there job properly customer service is appallingly the worst I've ever dealt with.

Got a quote for £1292 through a comparison site few days later tried to buy the quote. Unfortunately hastings decided wow been a few days since the quote has been made. Changed the quote to £6600. Understandable few hundred quid difference not 5 and a half grand. Had a right cracker hearing that. Great work hastings direct. Another customer bites the dust.

Very rude staff who make you feel like your a problem for contacting about anything

STAY AWAY! Absolute Shambles. I just wanted to cancel my car policy which I have done 5 days ago (so inside legal 14-day period). And they charged me over 20 pounds (!) in fees to cancel. Absolutely ridiculous. Do not use this company. Customer service is absolutely useless and not helpful at all.

Pointless. Had the back window screen completely smashed in on my car. Hastings were no help at all I called to report this at 1pm and I had no call back. I couldn't access my documents online as their 'myaccount' section wasn't working. I tried to chase up later in the day and I couldn't get in touch with anyone, so much for a 24/7 claim service. I called again in the morning, all this time with no back window screen in my car. I was then told sorry we can't do anything. Could they not have said that yesterday, what sort of insurance company doesn't have window screen cover as standard anyway!? but regardless of that what abysmal service, for me, their customer, in need of help to be waiting all that time and to have to chase them up. Absolutely ridiculous. Luckily my cover was only 4 weeks until it was coming to an end. I have cancelled the renewal and actually got a far better deal else where with both the cars. I will not be returning and have already vented my anger to many friends and family.

If you are checking this site to corroborate the abysmal Google reviews that this company also has, I can confirm they are all accurate. Hastings Essential lure you in with a cheap, competitive premium, and once you’ve signed up, spend the next month pestering you for several pieces of documentation until you they find the most niche one that you’re unable to source so they can charge you a £300 admin fee to recoup that cost! I had all my documentation in order but Hastings kept asking for something else every week to catch you out even when you are completely legitimate. Having skimmed through the reviews on other sites it looks like this is a consistent tactic they use, and when I confronted one of their agents on the phone about this strategy, he just remained silent and said “I’m sorry sir these calls are being recorded”. This is an elaborate scam and their employees indirectly admit it also, I have referred them to the Trading Standards and they are under investigation, please please please please do not buy your car insurance from Hastings Essential! I don’t usually write reviews but I implore you not to fund these crooks so that you don’t go through the hassle I had to!

I am discusted with way I have been treated all throughout December, Christmas and New year and still ongoing.
My car was stolen on 2nd December found a day later. Apparently no damage.went to collect car at the pound and was damaged all over.
Had to pay a fee of £280 to collect the car out of the pound. Plus my mechanics breakdown fee.

Still waiting for Hastings assessors Copart UK to collect vehicle and asses which they have given me 6 dates and still not collected. We remain to see what will happen but as of now I am still careless without a courtesy car which I have paid for until this company collect my car.

I advise everybody to stay clear of Hastings, quick enough to take my money at the start of the year and not act upon an issue!