Hastings Direct do not encrypt your bank card details, all 16 numbers are on view for all of their employees to see. While I am sure they make every attempt to employ only honest people, no doubt some bad eggs get through. As a former employee I can assure you that not even the Criminal Records Bureau is contacted. I asked for my card details to be removed, but was told, by the head of Customer Service's manager in their Leicester office,that if a policy is in force, then as a company they are required to keep bank card details.I asked why? After all, my policy is paid for in full. Apparantly, they say it's for any future transactions. I raised this as a complaint with their Customer Relations Department and was met with much the same frosty and robotic response. I also know that card details are still being kept on lapsed policies. I asked why? I was told that it is up to you, the customer, to request the removal of your card details. What! Why would you if you were not even aware that they were being held? When I received my renewal, it was in the form of a certificate and schedule...No key facts. I have since found out that they charge as much as £42 for a change of vehicle. When I rang for my change of vehicle I was quoted £82.66, but they should have advised me that the actual charge was £40.66, and the £42.00 was for their admin/service fee. I have a copy of the call recording and a fee was never mentioned.