The premium for my car insurance policy with Hastings Direct in April last year was £315.31. My renewal invite from Hastings Direct this year is £551.55, an increase of £236.24 or 75%! There have been no changes to my situation (except my car and myself are both one year older), I have had no claims, it’s the same car, I have not moved house, ie everything is the same. I am aware that car insurance premiums have increased but a 75% increase is totally ridiculous. I immediately used an online comparison site and obtained a quote which gave me more cover and included RAC breakdown and recovery cover for a total of £351.50. My Hastings Direct policy was on auto-renewal so I deselected this option and immediately got a response wanting to know why. I explained I had a cheaper quote and was asked what it was. I told them and, surprise, surprise, they immediately said they could beat this and reduced their quote to £1 less than the new quote I had received. I find this practise deplorable. We are ‘sold’ the auto-renewal option as a benefit but there are serious issues with companies relying on customers inertia or forgetfulness resulting in policies renewing at much higher rates than can be obtained elsewhere. My house insurance is currently with Hastings Direct. Needless to say I have deselected the auto-renewal on this policy too.