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Hastings Direct

Hastings Direct

Underwrites car, home, and vehicle insurance

Java Developer

Full-Time
No salary listed
Junior
London, UK+2 more

More locations: Leicester, UK | Bexhill, Bexhill-on-Sea, UK

Hybrid

About the job

Requirements
  • At least 2 years of practical experience working as an information technology developer in an agile team, supporting and developing enterprise-level applications.
  • Experience with Java, Java Virtual Machine, and Spring-based languages.
  • Experience with object-oriented analysis and design.
  • Experience with source-management software such as GitHub.
  • Experience with SOAP, REST, JSON, XML, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
  • Demonstrable analysis and problem-solving skills, using a rational and logical approach.
  • Knowledge of a test-driven approach, including exposure to either test-driven development or behavior-driven development, is an advantage.
  • Use of relational-database analysis and interpretation for impact analysis and error identification.
Responsibilities
  • Write and modify software to agreed standards under the direction of experienced team members.
  • Conduct testing and debugging of code, correct errors, and retest to achieve error-free results.
  • Document work according to agreed internal standards, including unit-test coverage, and participate in reviews of one's own work.
  • Communicate effectively with the team and participate in Scrum meetings and design reviews.
  • Develop new features and functionality to meet evolving business needs.
  • Implement mandatory and regulatory changes, including Insurance Premium Tax updates and reporting requirements for regulatory bodies.
  • Integrate new suppliers and systems to enhance workflows.
  • Perform system and software design, coding, and analysis.
  • Work with core systems for policy administration and claims handling.
  • Receive training on and contribute to Guidewire.
Desired Qualifications
  • Experience with Spring Boot and microservices.
  • Experience with relational databases and SQL.

About the company

Hastings Direct provides general insurance in the UK, mainly car insurance, and also offers policies for vans, bikes, and homes. It sells directly to customers and through multiple channels, including price comparison websites and its own site (hastingsdirect.com) as well as a contact centre, to reach a wide audience. The productworks by underwriting policies and pricing risk using data analytics, while handling claims and offering ancillary products to generate revenue. The company differentiates itself with a direct-to-consumer, multi-channel distribution approach that blends online, comparison sites, and support channels, alongside data-driven pricing and underwriting. Its goal is to grow its share of the UK general insurance market by efficiently pricing risk, effectively managing claims, and maintaining a competitive expense ratio.

Company Size

1,001-5,000

Company Stage

IPO

Headquarters

Bexhill-on-Sea, United Kingdom

Founded

1997

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • 2026 first-half gross written premium rose 4% to £1,300.9 million.
  • Nine-month 2025 customer numbers grew 15% to 4.4 million policies.
  • Improved PCW competitiveness drove new business sales and higher retention through 2025.

What critics are saying

  • H2 2025 opened 19,781 insurance complaints, and 52.04% were upheld by Hastings.
  • The Guardian's 2026 claim blamed Hastings handling for a family losing their home.
  • UK motor claims inflation or pricing mistakes can erase Hastings' underwriting gains fast.

What makes Hastings Direct unique

  • 2026 results show 4.4 million policies, proving scale in UK digital motor insurance.
  • Hastings runs cloud-native underwriting with fully automated STP releases and intraday changes.
  • Carpe Data and ARAG partnerships strengthen fraud detection and value-added motor add-ons.

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Benefits

Hybrid Work Options

Flexible Work Hours

Performance Bonus

401(k) Company Match

Paid Vacation

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

7%
II Reporter
Sep 24th, 2024
Hastings Direct Expands Relationship with Carpe Data

Hastings Direct expands relationship with Carpe Data.

Insurance Age
Jan 3rd, 2024
Staysure names Finn Walsh group CEO

Walsh, pictured, was previously chief customer and technology officer and joined the travel insurance specialist in October 2022 from Hastings Direct.

youTalk Insurance
Oct 19th, 2023
ARAG to provide hire car cover for Hastings Direct customers

Leading legal expenses insurance and assistance provider ARAG has been selected by Hastings Direct to supply Vehicle Hire Insurance to motor clients of the Bexhill-on-Sea based insurance provider.

TESSABIT
Sep 18th, 2022
Hastings Direct launches core platform upgrade to additional enable digital buyer journeys

Hastings Direct accomplished a migration to the cloud, further invested in information enrichment and management information all through the group and launched a core platform upgrade to additional enable digital buyer journeys.

Insurance Age
Jan 20th, 2022
Hastings Direct hires Mark Cliff as independent non-executive director

Hastings Insurance has appointed Mark Cliff as an independent non-executive director, subject to regulatory approval.