Hastings Direct is a trading name of Hastings Insurance Services Limited, a UK personal lines insurance broker servicing customers over the telephone, via the internet, and face-to-face.
The business launched in 1997 and currently has a product range covering private car, motorcycle, commercial van and household insurance, as well as a range of ancillary products and services such as motor breakdown, personal accident and legal expenses cover.

Brands

• Hastings Direct - The main brand, operating in four key insurance areas: private car, van, motorbike and home.
• Hastings Essential - No frills car insurance.
• Hastings Local – Hastings’ inaugural branch is in Bexhill servicing the needs of local customers.
• Renew Insurance - Bespoke insurance broking unit for car, van, home and bike catering for the more specialist needs.
• Likewise – Car insurance with a more comprehensive range of extras included.
• Insure – An online brand for car insurance.
• InsurePink - Motor and household insurance, which donates £10 for every policy sold to the Pink Ribbon Foundation, which supports breast cancer charities.
• InsureBlue - Motor and household insurance, which donates £10 for every policy sold to the Blue Ribbon Foundation, which supports male cancer and male health charities.

Recent History

• January 2010 Hastings Direct celebrates its 13th birthday
• February 2010 Hastings Direct named top twenty employer in East Sussex, one year on from management buyout
• March 2010 Hastings Direct opens first branch – Hastings Local – in Bexhill
• April 2010 Hastings Direct main sponsor of Hastings United Football club
• May 2010 Hastings Direct confirms will be a top five broker by 2014
• June 2010 Hastings Insurance Services creates 150 new jobs
• July 2010 Hastings Direct passes the 600,000 customer milestone
• August 2010 Hastings Direct staff fundraise over £30,000 for local charity SASBAH
• September 2010 insurepink is fundraising over £1,500 a week for breast cancer charities
• October 2010 Hastings Direct posts impressive profits and confirms 20% year on year growth
• November 2010 Hastings Direct is a top three employer in East Sussex and a top 150 in the South East
• December 2010 Hastings Direct raises over £10,000 for its charity of the year, St. Mary’s School
• January 2011
• Hastings Insurance announces 150 new posts to be recruited
• A new customer joins Hastings Direct every 90 seconds
• February 2011
• Coastguard presents company with award
• Defaqto rates Hastings car insurance as Four Star
• Hastings employs its 1066th employee
• March 2011
• Staff participates in sign language song and earn world record attempt
• Insurepink raises £10,000 for the Pink Ribbon Foundation in February 2011

Advertising

Hastings Direct is known for its mascot, Harry Hastings, an animated figure dressed in battle gear from the Battle of Hastings in 1066. All Hastings Direct advertising features Harry Hastings, whilst the memorable 0800 00 1066 jingle and phone number has become well known throughout the UK since the first TV advertising campaign in 2005.

Event Sponsorships

Hastings Direct sponsored the Eastbourne International tennis tournament between 2003 and 2007 in a deal worth £350,000 per year.

Employment

Based in Bexhill, Hastings Direct is the largest employer in Bexhill and one of the largest 150 employers in the South East. The company also has a second call centre in Newmarket.
In January 2011 the company announced that 150 new posts would be created in 2011, with the first 60 to be recruited in January in the Bexhill, Hastings, Eastbourne, Brighton and Hove areas.