Direct Line Reviews

Name: Direct Line
Rating: 1.55

1.6 Rating 262 Reviews

13 %

of reviewers recommend Direct Line

Company Reviews

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1.6

Based on 262 reviews

Shipping & Delivery
Delivery Methods	Own Driver
Customer Service
Communication Channels	Telephone, Email, Live Chat
Queries Resolved In	Over A Week
Customer Service	1.2 out of 5

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Direct Line 1 star review on 17th December 2024

David Onyett

Direct Line 1 star review on 19th October 2022

Mike

Direct Line 1 star review on 13th February 2021

Anonymous

Anonymous // 01/01/2019

Sort by: Most Recent Most Recent Highest Rated Filter: None None 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Stars Helpful

“would not bother with this company ,told them of ridge tiles and slates broken and missing ,after a storm last year was told its ,wear and tear ,the usual excuses , not one bit interested ,seems your covered for virtual very little , before i explained what had happened he said sorry not covered , you've been warned”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“Where do I start! Stay clear. After 18 years of no claims or accidents, I thought paying extra for a what I thought was reputable insurer would see me well covered in emergency. I have been mislead the whole way. 1. I paid for hire cover plus to make sure that we had equivalent vehicle to carry on working as business cover. Notified them must have towbar for enterprise to say they don't offer that and direct line would have to put a note on account for them to out source it so had to put up with a van instead of a pickup. 2. Constant trouble trying to get through to the engineer valuating it to which end finally found out he put through the valuation without our consent so have had no say in it. The money was put into our account therefore resulting in enterprise removing the hire car service. 3. I wanted to use the replacement vehicle service they advertised which was one of the reasons I went with them to find out that they just pass your details to a sales company but the vehicle must be under 7 years old and 70,000 miles so had no chance of using this service as replacement. Of course its all hidden in the small print. 3. Was told the valuation dispute would be looked at by an indepent association and would receive a call at beginning of last week to get a call today from again a direct line inspector after chasing again over 1 week late. They have valuated the market value at rock bottom. Due to what they class as extensive damage at rear, we are talking about a few debts mainly on tailgate so most would be resolved by a new tailgate which wouldn't take of thousands. I am being told that will now have to take to financial ombudsman. We have seen the looking glass valuation at around £5,500 so to knock of £2000 for a few small dents is rediculous and know have to waste loads more of my time. Older module with higher mileage are going for £5000 in this area. We have seen no evidence for the valuation and had no say at all. I have 9 years no claims paid over £700 for insurance and £500 excess to get £3000 ontop of having to put extra money into buying a new vehicle. No consideration taken either that we are in a lock down and you are not allowed private car sales at the moment or to travel distance so forced to used a sales company instantly putting the price up. What is the point of paying over £200 extra for the top brand insurer if they have say so to pay out what they want. Will just be going with cheaper company from now on and Direct line you will be loosing 4 of our policies with you permently. Disgraceful service. I noticed that a lot of the higher reviews havnt had to actually use the service so I'm sure there review would change if they did claim. They say you know what a company is like when you have issues. Well I know that Direct Line are unbelievable. Fuming is an understatement. Be warned.”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“Absolute nightmare dealing with a very simple travel cancellation claim. For a flight cancelled due to Covid in May 2020 we have finally received a settlement from Direct line in January 2021 of about half of our claimed amount. The original bookings were made long before Covod had even been heard of. Policy excesses aside, they have given no explanation of how they reached they amount of their 'full and final' settlement. Just a cheque in the mail. I've had to make dozens of phone calls and sent even more messages with Direct line trying to wriggle out of the claim at any and every opportunity. Fortunately I keep very good records but I imagine most people would just give up. They asked for copies of email correspondence with the owners of the holiday apartment we had booked, copies of bank statements, copies credit card statements, copies of paypal statements, declarations form the airline (you try getting an airline to declare anything!!) , declarations from the apartment owners. They questioned exchange rates between Euro and GBP payments. They even wanted to see my marriage certificate! This has been the single most frustrating insurance company I have ever had the misfortune to have had to deal with. If I added up all the hours I have wasted dealing with Direct line trying to get them to even deal with our claim, it has actually cost me a lot of money. Even at basic minimum wage rates it wasn't worth submitting our £800 claim for the aggravation Direct line cause. We will certainly not been renewing our building, contents or travel insurance with Direct Line and the quote we have recent requested for insurance on a second property we are buying is going straight into the bin. This company appears to have a clear strategy to delay and frustrate any claim. Our claim was really quite simple so heaven help anyone who had a complicated large value claim. They couldn't have made the claims process more drawn out and frustrating if they had tried. My recommendation is avoid this company and spend your money wisely; elsewhere.”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“Just a note to say a thank you for my daughters repair at your approved repair centre in Wigan, superb job, no hassle and you supplied her with a loan car for the entire period Many thanks to the claims team who were great to deal with regards Barry Mcilveen FIMI”

Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

“I am writing this review, because I want people to know that Direct Line policy states that excess is for every little item. That means if you have an excess of 500 pounds means if you put claim for roof leak, roof is one claim leak is another claim per wall. If you are landlord every item is a claim like one furniture, one wall one carpet.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“I'm a pensioner and direct line wanted a massive £377 to insure my 3 bed house for 12 months. No flooding or subsidence. Been with them several years and never claimed. Have now cancelled.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Had an accident Sep 4th, they booked a pick up for the car on the 23rd of September, 3weeks later, while the sensors were all failing and I didn’t feel safe to drive my son in that car. The day of scheduled pick up the garage they selected to fix our car calls to inform us they can’t pickup the car because they don’t have the parts. Waisted my day on that day. I wanted to take my car to the car manufacturer dealership but they said if you do so, you have do the estimate yourself and we will only give you the car rental for one week only. Basically making it difficult to convince me to send the car to their chosen garage. Car was finally picked up on Sep 30th. 2 weeks later, the car is not ready and garage keeps telling us it’s being washed for few days. Finally the garage admits that they can’t reset the sensors software and it has to go to the manufacturer dealership. Their first availability was Nov 11. So my car which is an electric car was sitting in theist garage for weeks while I had to pay congestion charges to go to central London or take a cab to avoid the charge. Because they don’t give you an electric rental. I was told they give us £10 for everyday that it takes to fix my car more than the one week promised time. So 2.5 months later my car will be delivered tomorrow but received £70 compensation for all these days that I didn’t have my car, paid petrol that I didn’t need to, congestion charges that I didn’t need to pay with my electric car and cab costs that I didn’t need to pay. All this time they failed to mention there is a maximum of £70 to be paid to the client for compensation. Miserable service. Wouldn’t recommend them, they didn’t check to see if their chosen garage can fix my car or not. They just wanted to save money”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Misinformation resulting in me having to shell out £600 on a survey report that DL should have arranged from the outset but did not. In fact the 'claim' was not even assigned until I chased up over a week later despite their policy stating it will be assessed and we would receive a call within 48 hours. Messed around and passed to many different teams and still no resolution. Raised a complaint and despite calls being recorded and the lack of procedure, I was not reimbursed for the independent survey, was offered £150 for wasting my time, doesn't even cover half the cost of the report. Oh and the cause of the crack in the house is not something they cover as it was not a result of a storm!”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“WOW SO MY REVIEW HAS BEEN REPORTED on trustpilot BY DIRECT LINE BECAUSE I AM TELLING THE TRUTH AND THEY CAN NOT ACCEPT, WELL I HAVE ALL THE CALL RECORDED AS WELL SO #Direct Line do not worry i can prove what i wrote, Had accident and it was my fault, no 3rd party involved, i was asked to give statement and evidence which i did, i request my car should be repaired on my own choice of garage but they refusing to send instruction to my garage and offer me to take my car on my own expensive and ask the garage to give estimate, even DL know that they have to instruct the garage first but refusing it. now they refusing to give me hire car and refusing to instruct my garage and the case handler(Jennie) told that if i called or complaint that should be directed to her, she said that i am not allowed to speak to anyone apart from her even she lied and gave me wrong information, now she is bulling me saying that under which law it says that no one can go though my belonging without my consent. I made complaint and that complaint went to her to investigate and she will not stop bullying me until the claim is settle but at later DL might compensate me. She knows what she is doing is wrong but she can not say it and she has been pushed by someone in DL to do that such as, not give me hire car, not send instruction to the garage to repair the car, give me wrong information, let the garage to go through my belonging, delay the claim, refused to speak to someone els, etc. Even if i call to ask for DL t&c my call will be transfer to her and then her words are their t&c. Basically she has to tell me who i can speak to and who i can not, she has to decide what i can have and what i can not. For now i can not speak or complaint to anyone and i can not have anything. I have comprehensive insurance with DL from 5 years, paid guarantee hire plus, Under their t&c says if i choice to repair my car with my own choice of garage i will have hire car for 21 days, she refused to send the instruction to my garage until now and she saying that i had my car for 21 days because i chose to use my own garage so now still she will not send instruction to the garage and she will not give me hire car. Better stay away from this company and it will be my last year with them even i paid yearly”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Disgusting insurance company have been with them for 28 years only made one small claim before. Had persistent rain fall for days had my boiler pour with water ceiling and electrics also damaged. Was told by arrogant adviser that we were not covered because they classed it as not a storm.Also have no hot water or heating for over two weeks. Direct line told us we have to pay for all works ourselves saying we were wrongly covered whilst happily taking our money each month .We are definitely moving companies also we would never recommend this company to anyone. So upset and struggling these things always seem to happen at already difficult times.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“i would put zero star if there was an option to do so. just spoke to the person dealing with my claim Elizabeth Scherer utterly rude and awful customer service. my claim havent been sorted out and theres no clear evidence that a key was used to steal my car from the cctv footage i’ve seen. they will not help but say theres nothing more they can do. i leave my car in a car garage for some repairs and it gets stolen and now nothing is being done about it. she said the car was not hacked into. without any evidence. nowadays cars can easily be hacked into and stolen. now its been over 3 months and am still left without my car. what was the purpose of buying comprehensive cover? PLEASE STAY AWAY FROM THIS USELESS INSURANCE COMPANY.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“They wanted to increase my premium even though I'd been an existing customer for 4 years and had 4 years no claims discount. Didn't want to leave but they wouldn't budge on the price and managed to get it much cheaper elsewhere. I've never had any problems with them and their customer service has been great so I would consider going back to them if they could be a bit more competitive with the pricing.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Our boiler has broke we pay extra for an emergency breakdown service..joke!! there’s no urgency on their part. We have now been without heating and hot water for seven days with no signs of it being fixed up to today. Trying to get through to speak to someone is a nightmare and when you do eventually get through..up to an hour later, they are a complete waste of time and have done absolutely nothing for us, they could not give two hoots. They have not chased up the parts we have been waiting for over a week now and expect us to do it. Avoid this company at all cost they’re advertising on the TV for emergency cover is false and a load of rubbish. Should report to trading standards we won’t be renewing our insurance policy with them in the future.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“I had an at fault collision with another car on a roundabout which was technically my fault but direct line handled everything to a successful conclusion and saved me a lot of hasle”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“SHADY DIRECT LINE BAD CUSTOMER SERVICE After being with DL for years, never claiming, when we did the cold response was 'your not covered' even though it was DL Plus. Have to say, what we said to the DL rep was worded inaccurately by one word so instead of sending a professional to look at the situation instead of in our panic said the 'wrong word' is dismissive appalling and shady at best. Customers will panic at stressful times and DL first response should have been 'we will send a DL professional to assess' not a No. I'm 100% we would be covered now we have the full facts and engaged solicitors argued and complained but we are retired, disabled and can't cope with stress. but we will never use DIRECT LINE AGAIN.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“A nightmare. Am still seeking answers from June as to why company sought to renew policy (despite cancellation); then sought to obtain money from bank (despite previous year's cancellation of automatic renewal). Spoke twice to the company. Asked for clarification of account. Confirmed money not owed. Never a proper answer to any query: just more templates from various departments. Patience running out !”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Awful company they should actually be called DIRECT LIE not direct line. I would rate them as a zero for customer care and dishonesty. Nobody seems to be accountable and it feels as if they are all working in silos. This company seriously let me down. Their mistakes allowed me to unwittingly drive uninsured, I only found out when I was stopped by the police resulting in consequences which will affect me for years. They are so incompetent that they even let me drive away from the police still uninsured, despite guaranteeing over the phone that I was covered. This company will outright lie to you, they don't get back to you when they say they will, they just take your money then move on. If you are a customer already, then I suggest keeping a note of and/or screen shotting any correspondence that you have with them. They will lie about any disputes which leave them accountable rather than owning up. If you are not a customer then avoid at all costs.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“Dreadful and uncompetitive pricing. Changed car, and quote we were given was THREE times more expensive than going with the manufacturer's own policy, which has guaranteed same policy price for next three years, as well as guaranteed use of OEM parts and facilities in case of need for repair. Direct Line didn't get close, relying on the automatic renewal system to hope that customers stay 'loyal'. Shocking set up.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“I spoke to a very helpful customer service young lady who provided me with a quote for car insurance, I decided to accept this but changed my original start date. She advised me it would cost me more as admin fees would be applied as I had changed the date. I'm perplexed! How can admin fees be added to a quote? I understand this is normal practice with quotes. Direct Line lost out as I went to Churchill instead! Very disappointed in Direct Line.”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

“DO NOT EVER USE DIRECT LINE. I am a landlord and my Tennant left me with £2000+ in house repairs and rent arrears. I had legal cover to cover me for this event. When I claimed they sent my claim to DAS legal services who asked for mountains of information including receipts and statements. All this was provided. It took DAS 4 months to assess the claim. After which they accepted I had a claim. They then subcontracted legal services to Blake MORGAN who also dragged they heals as well and no action was taken. After another 4 months they decided not to continue with the claim so DAS then appointed another legal firm and surprise surprise they did nothing as well. I complained to DL numerous of times who were not interested and bypassed this back to DAS. So in the 10 months that have gone by zero action has been taken to claim my monies from Tennant. DL and DAS are sharks and got a reply them today saying I no longer have a valid claim. What a outfit. So as a matter of principle will be Going the Omudsman. Never experienced this total disregard and contempt for paying customers. Thanks”

Helpful Report

Posted 4 years ago

Direct Line is rated 1.6 based on 262 reviews