Frequently Asked Questions
Contents
We have compiled a list of answers to some of the questions you may have about the car insurance policy provided through Hastings essential.
Should you not find the information you require from either this or our Hints and Tips page, please contact our Customer Service Advisors on 0871 200 3048 (calls are charged at 10p per minute from a BT landline, mobiles and other network charges may vary).
- What cover is provided with a Hastings essential comprehensive policy?
- Am I covered for personal belongings in my car?
- Am I covered for medical expenses or personal accident?
- What is a protected no-claims discount?
- What is an excess?
- What is a Thatcham security device?
- What is a tracking device?
- Does my policy include a courtesy car in the event of a claim?
- What is meant by a similar sized courtesy car?
- Does my policy include legal protection?
- Does my policy allow me to drive abroad?
- Why do I need a password to save my quote?
- Can I get immediate cover?
- Can I spread my payments and pay by monthly instalments?
- What about the security of online payments?
- If I cancel will there be any charges?
- How quickly do I need to report an accident?
- Why do I need to tell you about an accident so quickly?
- What if my driving licence type changes?
What cover is provided with a Hastings essential comprehensive policy?
A Hastings essential comprehensive car insurance policy provides cover for damage to your car as a result of an accident, vandalism and fire or theft.*
Am I covered for personal belongings in my car?
The Hastings essential product has been designed to provide you with what we believe are just the basics in order to keep the premiums low. Therefore, Hastings essential car insurance policies do not include cover for personal belongings.
Am I covered for medical expenses or personal accident?
The Hastings essential product has been designed to provide you with what we believe are just the basics in order to keep the premiums low. Therefore, Hastings essential car insurance policies do not include cover for medical expenses or personal accident (other than the cost of emergency treatment as required by the Road Traffic Act).
What is a protected no-claims discount?
If, in the event of a claim, your insurance company cannot recover their outlay from the person responsible, or you cannot recover your excess, your no-claims discount is normally reduced at the next renewal. By paying an extra premium and subject to qualifying criteria, you can choose to protect your no claims discount. This allows you to make up to two non-recoverable claims in a three year period without reducing your no-claims discount.
What is an excess?
An excess is a contributory amount you pay when making a claim. There are two types of excess that can be applied to an insurance policy - compulsory (or standard) excess and voluntary excess:
Standard policy excess
There is a standard policy excess set by your insurer which you cannot change. You will be required to pay this amount for each incident of loss or damage to your vehicle, including repair or replacement of windscreen or windows. All excesses are shown on your schedule. If you should choose not to use the repairer nominated by the insurer, the excess that would otherwise apply will be doubled.
Voluntary excess
If this option is available, you can choose to pay an additional amount on top of the standard policy excess for each incident of loss or damage to you vehicle. If you choose a voluntary excess you will generally reduce your premium. All excesses are shown on your schedule.
What is a Thatcham security device?
The Thatcham Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre evaluates the effectiveness of car security products against the British insurance industry's criteria. Most insurers acknowledge the benefits of these devices and give you discounts.
What is a tracking device?
This enables the police to track a stolen vehicle via an electronic signal emitted from a sensor concealed in the car. The recovery rate for these stolen vehicles is very high. Insurers usually offer a discount off the premium if the vehicle is fitted with a tracking device.
Does my policy include a courtesy car in the event of a claim?
If you make a claim and your car is being repaired by the insurer-approved repairer, they will try to provide you with a courtesy car of a similar size to your own, subject to availability.
What is meant by a similar sized courtesy car?
They will look to match the physical size of your car and consider your engine size, although they can't guarantee a precise match. The provision of a courtesy car will be subject to availability.
Does my policy include legal protection?
This is not automatically included in your policy. It is an optional extra, which you can choose to purchase in addition to your car insurance.
Does my policy allow me to drive abroad?
All private car policies issued in the UK include the minimum cover required by law in any EU country. However, if you require the same level of cover you enjoy in the UK, or cover for countries outside the EU you must contact us beforehand to obtain our written agreement and pay any additional premium that may be required.
Why do I need a password to save my quote?
We will ask you to save your quote with a password to ensure that no one other than you can view or alter your personal details.
Can I get immediate cover?
Yes, providing you have a credit or debit card or the facility to pay by Direct Debit, we can issue you with immediate cover on your car insurance. This is subject to normal terms and conditions. Please note that if you choose to pay by Direct Debit we will require a deposit from you which can be payable by credit or debit card.
Can I spread my payments and pay by monthly instalments?
Yes, we offer the facility to pay by instalments. Terms and conditions will apply.
What about the security of online payments?
We know that when you purchase items or services online you want your personal details and your credit or debit card information to be private and secure. We are committed to providing this security for you.
Our secure-server software encrypts all the details in your online transaction. The encryption process takes the characters you enter and converts them into a coded form, which is then securely transmitted.
If I cancel will there be any charges?
Please see Our fees for details.
How quickly do I need to report an accident?
All claims should be reported as soon as possible and, at the latest, within 48 hours of the incident.
Why do I need to tell you about an accident so quickly?
By notifying us as soon as possible about an accident, we can settle your claim quicker and, if your car is repairable, get one of our aproved repairers notified as soon as possible. Furthermore, quickly notifying us of the accident means the details of the incident are fresh in your mind and will help us mitigate the costs involved in dealing with your claim, helping us to keep our prices as low as possible.
What if my driving licence type changes?
If your licence type changes after you have taken out a policy you are required to let your insurer know. Changes to your licence can cause your premium to change substantially. Examples of changes to licence can include: provisional to full license or change of licence category. Further information on driving licences can be found at www.direct.gov.uk
If you need to update your policy or have any other questions relating to this topic please contact our Customer Services team on 0844 800 3844 who will be happy to help you.