Hastings Insurance: Understanding Auto-Renewal And Your Options

Hastings Insurance offers auto-renewal for its car insurance policies. This means that your policy will automatically renew unless you inform them that you do not want to continue with their services. To cancel your auto-renewal, you must fill out a form to notify them that you want your policy to lapse. It is important to note that letting your policy lapse is not the same as canceling it midway through the policy term. Additionally, your insurance rate may increase significantly if you choose to auto-renew.

Cancelling auto-renewal

• Understand the Cooling-Off Period: By law, every car insurance policy comes with a cooling-off period, which is typically 14 days from the day your policy starts or 14 days from when you receive your policy documents. During this time, you can cancel your policy without paying a cancellation fee, but you may still be subject to other charges. Check your policy documents to determine when your cooling-off period starts and ends.
• Contact Hastings: If you are still within the cooling-off period, contact Hastings as soon as possible to inform them that you want to cancel your policy. You can call them at 0333 321 9790 or 03333219801 during their business hours. Be prepared for potentially long wait times, and consider calling first thing in the morning or when their lines open to increase your chances of getting through.
• Cancellation and Refund: Once you have contacted Hastings and expressed your desire to cancel, they will cancel your policy immediately. They will then refund you for the remaining portion of your premium that you haven't used, minus any days you've already been insured and any applicable fees. If you have made a claim or had one made against you during the policy period, you may not receive any refund at all.
• Consider Other Options: Before cancelling your policy, consider adjusting your existing plan. Hastings may be able to offer you a cheaper insurance rate or a different level of coverage that better suits your needs. Additionally, if you are thinking of switching to another insurance provider, compare prices and coverage options, and consider the best time to make the switch. Typically, three weeks before your existing deal is due to end is a good time to start looking for alternative options.
• Alternative Methods: If you are unable to reach Hastings by phone, you can try alternative methods of contact. Some people have suggested sending a written notice of cancellation by post or even requesting a new card from your credit card company to prevent auto-renewal payments from going through. While these methods may work, proceed with caution and always verify that your policy has been successfully cancelled to avoid unexpected charges.
• Avoid Last-Minute Cancellations: It is important to act promptly when you want to cancel your policy. If you wait until the last minute, you may not only face higher cancellation fees but also miss out on finding alternative insurance options. Additionally, if you have already made a claim during the policy period, cancelling early may not be worth it, as you will likely have to pay a cancellation fee without receiving any refund.

Cancelling after a claim

If you've made a claim on your Hastings insurance policy, you won't get any refund if you cancel. In fact, you'll still have to pay a cancellation fee of £45. On top of this, if you pay monthly, you'll need to pay for the rest of the policy when you cancel.

Let's say you've made a claim, and you're paying monthly. To cancel your policy, you'll need to call Hastings and inform them that you want to leave. They will cancel your policy immediately, and you will be charged a £45 cancellation fee. Additionally, you will need to pay for the remaining months on your policy. So, if you have five months left on your policy, you will need to pay five times your monthly premium, plus the £45 cancellation fee.

If you've made a claim and you've paid for your policy annually, you won't get any refund, but you will still need to pay the cancellation fee. In this case, it might be better to wait for your policy to end and inform Hastings that you don't want to renew. That way, you won't incur any additional fees.

It's important to note that cancelling your policy after making a claim will likely affect your No Claims Bonus. This could result in higher premiums with your next insurer. Before cancelling your Hastings policy, it's worth considering if there are any alternative options, such as adjusting your existing policy to get the desired level of cover.

Cancelling during the cooling-off period

Like any insurance company, Hastings Direct has a cooling-off period for policy renewals. This is a 14-day window that begins on the day you receive your renewed policy documents. During this time, you can review your policy, ensure it meets your needs, and make any necessary changes or cancel the policy without incurring excessive charges.

If you decide to cancel your Hastings Direct policy within the 14-day cooling-off period, you will receive a refund for the unused portion of your premium, minus a small administration fee. It's important to note that the administration fee will depend on how long you have been holding the policy.

To cancel your policy during the cooling-off period, you can contact Hastings Direct through live chat or email. Be prepared to provide your policy number, personal information, and the reason for cancelling your policy. Hastings Direct will then calculate your refund based on the number of unused days on your policy after deducting the administration fee.

It is important to note that if you have made a claim during the cooling-off period, you will not be eligible for a refund. The cooling-off period is designed to provide customers with an opportunity to review their policy and make changes without incurring significant charges. By understanding your rights during this period, you can make informed decisions about your insurance coverage.

Cancelling via phone

To cancel your Hastings Direct insurance policy over the phone, follow these steps:

Step 1: Call Customer Service

Place a call to the Hastings Direct customer service team by dialling 0333 321 9801 or 0333 321 9790. These numbers are operational during the following hours:

• Monday to Friday: 9 am–6 pm
• Saturday: 10 am–2 pm
• Bank Holidays: 9 am–5 pm

Step 2: Speak with a Representative

Once your call is connected, ask to speak with a representative. Provide them with your insurance policy number and other relevant customer details, such as your name, address, or any other identifying information they may require.

Step 3: Request Cancellation

Inform the representative that you wish to cancel your insurance policy and any associated recurring payments. Be clear about your intention to terminate the contract. Ask any necessary questions to understand the cancellation process and any associated fees or penalties.

Step 4: Confirm Cancellation

Before ending the call, request a confirmation of your cancellation. You can ask for a confirmation email or any other form of written verification to ensure your cancellation request has been processed. This will help you avoid any potential issues or misunderstandings in the future.

Please note that cancelling your Hastings Direct insurance policy may incur a cancellation fee and other charges, as mentioned in the previous paragraphs. These fees vary depending on the timing of your cancellation and whether any claims have been made. Always review the terms and conditions of your insurance policy before initiating a cancellation.

Auto-renewal price increase

Auto-renewals are a convenient way to ensure that you continue to receive the goods or services you require without the hassle of manually renewing your subscription. However, it is important to be aware of the potential for auto-renewal price increases.

When you sign up for a subscription or service with auto-renewal, you typically agree to a set of terms and conditions that include the option for the provider to increase prices. These price increases can occur for various reasons, such as inflation, increased costs of providing the goods or services, or simply because the provider believes they can charge more.

In some cases, auto-renewal price increases can be minimal and may only reflect a small percentage change. For example, a 4% annual increase in fees may not seem significant at first glance. However, over time, these small increases can add up, resulting in a substantial rise in costs over the long term. Therefore, it is crucial to be vigilant about reviewing the terms and conditions of your auto-renewal contracts to understand how and when price increases may occur.

To protect yourself from unexpected price hikes, it is advisable to opt out of auto-renewal whenever possible. By doing so, you retain the power to review and renegotiate contract terms, compare prices, and consider potential alternatives. Additionally, you can avoid being locked into a long-term contract with ever-increasing prices. If opting out of auto-renewal is not an option, make sure to carefully read the fine print and understand the conditions under which prices may increase.

In some cases, providers may be required to notify you of any price changes before your subscription renews, giving you the opportunity to cancel if you do not agree to the new terms. Staying vigilant and keeping track of your subscriptions can help you avoid unwanted surprises and ensure that you are getting the best value for your money.

Frequently asked questions