Cancellation service N°1 in United Kingdom
Contract number:
To the attention of:
Cancellation Department – Hastings Direct
Collington Avenue
TN39 3LW Bexhill-on-Sea
Subject: Contract Cancellation – Certified Email Notification
Dear Sir or Madam,
I hereby notify you of my decision to terminate contract number relating to the Hastings Direct service. This notification constitutes a firm, clear and unequivocal intention to cancel the contract, effective at the earliest possible date or in accordance with the applicable contractual notice period.
I kindly request that you take all necessary measures to:
– cease all billing from the effective date of cancellation;
– confirm in writing the proper receipt of this request;
– and, where applicable, send me the final statement or balance confirmation.
This cancellation is sent to you by certified email. The sending, timestamping and integrity of the content are established, making it equivalent proof meeting the requirements of electronic evidence. You therefore have all the necessary elements to process this cancellation properly, in accordance with the applicable principles regarding written notification and contractual freedom.
In accordance with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and data protection regulations, I also request that you:
– delete all my personal data not necessary for your legal or accounting obligations;
– close any associated personal account;
– and confirm to me the effective deletion of data in accordance with applicable rights regarding privacy protection.
I retain a complete copy of this notification as well as proof of sending.
Yours sincerely,
16/01/2026
Cancellation Hastings Direct: Easy Method
What is Hastings Direct
Hastings Direct is an insurance provider primarily operating in the United Kingdom that offers motor, home and related consumer insurance products. It underwrites policies and manages policy administration, claims and customer service through its own channels and third parties.
For Canadian residents, note that Hastings Direct’s publicly available terms, contact details and pricing are UK‑focused; there is limited or no evidence of Hastings Direct offering prices or a dedicated Canadian customer service presence. If you hold a Hastings Direct policy while resident in Canada, treat the policy as an international/foreign insurer contract and confirm jurisdiction and applicable terms directly with the company.
How to cancel Hastings Direct
- Call Hastings Direct customer service and request cancellation. An example phone number shown in public sources is 0333 321 9801 - have your policy number, personal details and reason for cancellation ready.
- If you prefer written notice, send a cancellation letter by recorded/trackable postal service (for example, Royal Mail Signed For or Special Delivery) to Hastings Direct Customer Relations (address at end of this guide). Include your policy number, full name, date of birth, contact details and a clear statement that you request cancellation and written confirmation.
- Request immediate written confirmation of the cancellation (email or mailed letter) and ask for a breakdown of any refund and any cancellation/administration fees applied. Keep copies of all correspondence and proof of posting or call logs.
- If you hold a telematics (black‑box) policy, document any device/app failures and notify customer service in writing as well as by phone; keep screenshots, dates and delivery records for the device/tag.
What happens when you cancel
When cancellation is processed, your cover will end on the date agreed with Hastings Direct; you should not assume cover continues after you request cancellation. Automatic renewals will be stopped for that policy term but you should receive explicit confirmation. If there are outstanding charges or instalments due, these must be settled as part of closing the account.
Your personal data will continue to be held and processed as set out in the insurer’s privacy policy for the period required by law and for legitimate business purposes (complaint handling, fraud prevention, regulatory reporting). If you had a telematics device, you should arrange return or deactivation as required by the policy to avoid further data collection or device‑related fees.
Will I get a refund?
According to Hastings Direct’s published policy terms (UK context), there is a 14‑day statutory cooling‑off period from policy start or receipt of documents. If you cancel within that period and no claim has been made, you are typically entitled to a pro‑rata refund for unused premium. If a claim has been made during that time, no refund may be available.
After the 14‑day cooling‑off period, refunds are normally pro‑rata for the unused portion of cover but a cancellation/administration fee is often deducted (public sources indicate typical UK amounts such as £45 for vehicle policies and £35 for home policies). Always request a written breakdown of any fee and the refund calculation. If you believe a refund has been withheld incorrectly, keep written records and escalate to the insurer’s complaints process or your regulator.
Hastings Direct plans and pricing
| Plan | Typical Cover | Price (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Car / Van / Bike | Third‑party, Fire & Theft, Comprehensive options; telematics available | Varies |
| Home | Buildings and/or contents cover with optional add‑ons | Varies |
| Telematics / SmartMiles | Usage‑based pricing via app or device; device/app terms apply | Varies |
Your consumer rights in Canada
Consumer protections for insurance in Canada vary by province and territory; there is no single nationwide statutory “cooling‑off” rule that applies uniformly to all property & casualty insurers. Your rights will depend on the jurisdiction governing the policy (check the policy documents for governing law), the insurer’s written terms, and provincial insurance regulation.
If you are in Canada and hold a Hastings Direct policy, do the following: review your policy documents for cancellation and refund terms, confirm which legal jurisdiction applies, and contact your provincial insurance regulator for guidance. For general consumer assistance, the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) and the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) provide information on consumer rights and complaint channels. If you cannot resolve a dispute with the insurer, your provincial regulator can advise next steps or complaint mechanisms.
Customer experiences
Public reviews are mixed. Positive experiences frequently mention competitive pricing, ease of online purchase, and helpful phone or web chat support. Some customers report straightforward cancellations with timely confirmation and refunds.
Reported negatives include surprise or disputed administration/arrangement fees (sometimes claimed to appear even within the cooling‑off window), problems with telematics policies (missing tags, app failures or unexpected charges), and occasional difficulties with claims handling or confusing automated correspondence. These experiences underline the value of keeping clear written records, asking for explanations in writing, and escalating unresolved issues through formal complaint channels.
Documentation checklist
- Policy number, insurer reference and full name on the policy
- Proof of identity (driver’s licence or passport) and proof of address
- Your written cancellation request (sent copy) or notes of phone call (date, time, agent name)
- Proof of recorded/trackable postage and any return‑of‑device tracking
- Bank details for refund, plus screenshots or records of any telematics/app issues
Common mistakes
Expecting online or in‑app cancellation: publicly available information indicates Hastings Direct cancellation is handled by customer service, not via an App Store or Google Play cancellation flow. Trying to cancel a Hastings Direct insurance policy through those app store subscription controls can lead to delay or failure to cancel the insurance contract.
Not getting written confirmation: failing to obtain written cancellation confirmation or a refund breakdown creates risk if a disputed fee or continuing charge appears. Also, assuming the cooling‑off rules automatically guarantee a full refund - real‑world cases sometimes show fees deducted or disputes over whether a claim was made.
Neglecting telematics evidence: for smart‑miles or black‑box policies, not documenting device or app problems can make it harder to contest charges or policy actions caused by device failure.
Comparative recap
| Method | Refund | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|
| Phone (customer service) | Pro‑rata refund per policy terms; 14‑day cooling‑off (UK terms) may apply; fees may be deducted after cooling‑off | Moderate - must call, provide details and request written confirmation |
| Web / App Store / Google Play | Not applicable for cancelling insurance policies in Canada (no evidence these routes cancel Hastings Direct insurance) | N/A - not available for insurance cancellation |
| Recorded postal letter to Customer Relations | Pro‑rata refund if accepted under the policy; same fee rules apply - request breakdown | Moderate - requires tracking, follow‑up and proof of delivery |
After cancelling
After you cancel, verify you have written confirmation that shows the cancellation date, refund amount (if any) and any fees deducted. Check bank statements for the refund and retain all documents for at least a year in case of later queries.
If you are unhappy with how the cancellation or refund was handled, follow Hastings Direct’s complaints procedure first (details should be in your policy documents). If unresolved and the contract or sale took place under UK law, you may have access to UK‑based complaint routes; if the policy or interactions are covered by Canadian jurisdiction, contact your provincial insurance regulator. Helpful general consumer resources:
Hastings Direct - official site
Insurance Bureau of Canada (Consumer information)
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)
Address
Hastings Direct Customer Relations Department
Hastings Direct
Conquest House
Collington Avenue
Bexhill‑on‑Sea
East Sussex TN39 3LW
United Kingdom