I had a bad experience with Hastings as well. I was reversing in a car park and another driver decided to try and get between my car and the kerb behind me (even though there wasn't enough space). I stopped my car but she carried on, drove into the side of me - then denied all responsibility once she'd spoken to her husband whose car it was (on disability). When I spoke to Hastings, they told me that she said I'd reversed into her and as they were no witnesses, I wouldn't win if I were to argue the case in court because anyone reversing is liable!?!?? In the end, and it took months, they paid out for her to get her car fixed (small dent to wheel arch) which in the end cost nearly £1200 with all the extras such as courtesy car, full valet and collection and delivery (she lived across the road from the dealer doing work). Hastings authorised this without giving me a say, then told me what had happened. Definitely stay clear of them!!! I've also had problems with Elephant in the past so tbh another one to avoid - keep claims dangling for months and won't stand by their customers at all. I'm with Kwik Fit now and they seem ok. Although when I changed my insurance from a 2.0l Chrysler Neon to a 1.6l petrol Xsara Picasso, they wanted another £30+ per month. I waited a day after the quote, then rang the retentions depth and told them I wanted to leave. They got my premium down to an extra £2 per month and dropped the administration charge (£30) so if you're swapping cars, ring retentions as they'll try and keep you if they're a good company.
