Hastings Direct has been fined GBP735,000 by the FSA (Financial Services Authority) for treating its customers unfairly. The car insurance company was found to have cancelled over 4,500 policies following a pricing error.
The problem was caused by the Hastings Direct car insurance quotation system, which generated quotes that were lower than the market rate. The insurer then decided to cancel these policies, a step that was not acceptable according to the FSA.
Although a cancellation clause was included within the policies the FSA felt that Hastings Direct should have considered other options first rather than invoking the cancellations. They believe that it is not acceptable to cancel cover because of what is simply a pricing error.
Technology is not always right is the message being sent out by car insurance companies such as Direct Line, suggesting drivers should not take the advice of the system blindly.
There have been many occasions when drivers have followed the route given to them by a sat-nav system only to find themselves heading down narrow farm tracks and through deep water. They carry on regardless though feeling that the satellite navigation system cannot be wrong. A big mistake say Direct Line since they have seen an increase in claims because of situations just like these.
If the situation continues then car insurance premiums are sure to rise, a scenario no one wants to see. Direct Line and other car insurance providers have to increase the premiums because of the extra costs they face so it is down to the drivers to make sure they use sat nav as an aid, trusting their own driving knowledge first and foremost.
2 years after launching women only car insurance Sheilas Wheels are now one of the best recognised insurance companies around.
To celebrate this status Sheilas Wheels have been looking at how women shop for car insurance, finding that they actually spend more time choosing their outfit for the Christmas party than they do getting car insurance.
It appears that the average woman takes just over 2 hours searching for and then buying car insurance, no doubt helped by easy to use sites like the one at Sheilas Wheels of course. Another factor is that personal recommendations are very important to women, which can also make the whole process of getting car insurance faster.
Now when it comes to buying Christmas party outfits that is a whole different matter.
