Hastings insurance

Hastings Direct is a prominent UK-based insurance provider founded in 1996 in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex. Originally established by David Gundlach and Andrew Bowen, the company has evolved through various ownership structures, including a management buyout in 2009 and a listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2015.

Today, Hastings is a leading digital insurance provider offering car, van, bike, and home insurance policies to over 4.5 million customers. The brand operates primarily through its retail arm, Hastings Insurance Services Limited, which handles customer relationships and pricing. Its policies are underwritten by Advantage Insurance Company Limited, which is based in Gibraltar but serves the UK market.

In November 2020, a consortium comprising South Africa's Rand Merchant International (RMI) and Finland's Sampo Group acquired the business. By December 2021, Sampo Plc took full 100% ownership, making Hastings a key part of its Nordic-based insurance portfolio. The brand remains headquartered in the UK, maintaining its significant operational presence in Bexhill-on-Sea and Leicester.