BATTLING TO GIVE MOTORISTS A FAIRER DEAL WITH CAR INSURANCE

Following the latest fuel tax increase brought into effect earlier this week, car insurance broker Hastings Direct is aiming to ease the burden of the two-pence per litre price hike by offering £30 of free fuel vouchers with every new car insurance policy taken out online or over the phone*.

To help offset the extra cost of filling up your car's tank, Hastings Direct is offering drivers £30 worth of fuel vouchers with every new car insurance policy taken out before 31 October 2009. In addition, Hastings Direct is also offering 50 per cent off your next MOT when you get a quote for your motor insurance online – no purchase necessary.

The latest fuel price increase is the third in just nine months, and has triggered fresh debate into whether the government is using UK motorists as a 'soft target' for tax.

Hastings Direct is already well known for supporting British drivers having run its 'Axe the Tax' campaign in 2008, in which it paid the additional five percent tax added onto insurance premiums for a limited period.

Hastings Direct's Trading Director Mat Shepherd says: "Motorists in the UK are really feeling the pinch in the current economic climate and this latest fuel tax hike will impact on all car owners. We want to help motorists keep their cars on the road, and believe that by offering free fuel vouchers to all who take out a new policy with us will certainly, albeit in a small way, help towards the expense of running a motor.

"In addition, recent research has also shown that 7 out of 10 drivers can now save money by switching to Hastings Direct** – so we really are battling on behalf of our customers to keep money in their pocket."

To take advantage of the offer simply visit the Hastings Direct website before 31 October 2009 or register for car insurance from Hastings Direct. Alternatively, call 0800 015 1793 quoting "EFUEL".

*Full Terms and conditions:
1. Open to selected Hastings customers aged 18+ and resident in the UK.
2. The postmark on your claim must be within 14 days from the last day of the last month claimed.
3. A "valid receipt" is defined as an original UK VAT receipt for purchase of either petrol, diesel or LPG fuel from a UK forecourt.
4. An "invalid receipt" is defined as any receipt that is;
a) not an original UK VAT receipt for purchase of either petrol, diesel or LPG fuel from a UK forecourt or;
b) damaged, defaced or photocopied
3. To claim up to £30 fuel cashback you must send in three vouchers and three valid receipts from three consecutive months to Leapfrog with an SSAE. Claims which do not contain three valid receipts in consecutive month order and three vouchers will be rejected.
4. A maximum of one valid receipt can be submitted per voucher. Valid receipts must show a minimum fuel purchase value of £10 of either petrol, diesel.or LPG Purchases must be made between 01.09.09 and 30.04.10 Receipts showing less than £10 for fuel purchases will be refunded at face value. The maximum amount that can be claimed per receipt is £10 and the maximum overall claim per customer is £30.
5. Cheques will be posted to the qualifying applicants in the SSAE provided by you and made payable to the name on the application. Please allow 28 days from receipt of claim for delivery.
6. No multiple or third party claims accepted. Only one claim per envelope allowed.
7. The offer is as stated and no alternative offer is available.
8. Proof of postage not accepted as proof of receipt. Hastings and participating agencies cannot be held responsible for claims that are lost, delayed or damaged in the post. Illegible, incomplete or delayed claims will not be processed.
9. The offer is limited to one cheque, up to the value of £30, per customer and up to 4 per household providing each customer has a unique policy number.
10. The vouchers do not represent a monetary discount at point of sale and will be rejected if presented when making a fuel purchase of either petrol, diesel or LPG. The voucher is a Cashback offer and can only be redeemed against purchases made at UK forecourts only.
11. This promotion is administered on behalf of the promoter, Hastings Insurance Services Limited trading as Hastings Direct. Hastings Direct is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered in England and Wales No. 3116518. Registered office: Conquest House, Collington Avenue, Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, TN39 3LW by The Leapfrog Group Ltd, Nelson House, Park Road, Timperley, Cheshire WA14 5BZ. Registered in England and Wales under company number 02389644
** Independent online research by Consumer Intelligence during July 2009 showed that 70.24% of consumers could achieve a saving with Hastings Direct.