Cookie Policy

What are cookies?

A cookie is a small data file that can be transferred by a web server onto your computer's hard drive when you visit a website. The information stored in a cookie can be read by the web server and is used to allow a website to recognise your computer when you revisit a website or browse from page to page of a website. Only the web server that sent the cookie can read and therefore use, that particular cookie.

Cookies can help a website to arrange content to match users' preferred interests more effectively and/or avoid the need for users to re-enter data when they revisit a website. Cookies are commonly used on the internet and do not harm your computer or computer files.

Ref: www.allaboutcookies.org

---

How do we use cookies on the website?

We use cookies on the website for our own internal purposes to track how users navigate through the website in order to enable us to evaluate and improve the website and our online services. We use cookie-derived information to:

• compile statistical data on the use of the website which can be used to manage and plan enhancements to our services,
• to facilitate users' ability to navigate through the website,
• ascertain whether the website is operating at an optimal level,
• personalise and improve the service we offer to you by understanding your preferences and establishing which areas of the website are of most relevance to you.

We also use cookie technology to ensure that, where you have registered for any of our online services, we maintain your confidentiality and security as you move through secure or password protected areas of the website.

In addition, to evaluate the effectiveness of our advertisements and promotions on selected third party websites, we may (together with the third party agents who help manage our online advertising) use cookies to measure response rates to our advertisements and promotions.

We do not use cookies to track your use of the Internet after leaving the website, nor will we pass on any cookie-derived information to third parties other than as set out in this Cookies Statement. We may collate the statistical data compiled in respect of use of the website with statistical data similarly compiled in respect of other websites operated by Hastings in order to facilitate company-wide evaluation and improvements.

---

What kind of cookies do we use on the website?

• Session cookies
  temporary cookies which remain in the cookie file of your browser until you leave the website, for further information please visit: www.allaboutcookies.org
• Persistent cookies
  which remain in the cookie file of your browser for a longer period of time (the duration of this period will depend on the 'lifetime' of the specific cookie). For further information on persistent cookies visit: www.allaboutcookies.org
• Google Analytics
  is used to provide us with an understanding of how our site is performing. It enables us to ensure your receive a level high standard of customer experience which we would expect when visiting any website. You can find more information on Google's position on privacy by visiting: www.google.co.uk
• Google site search
  allows customers to search for pages within the site providing them with a better overall experience: www.google.com
• JSESSIONID
  The purpose of JSESSIONID is to match up the session ID stored in the web application with that of the client so we can maintain a user's state throughout their journey. This cookie is imperative when using our site. Wikipedia: HTTP session token
• OMG
  set cookies to identify which affiliate has delivered a customer to Hastings. If your browser is set to ignore all cookies this will effect the way in which you could claim your cashback. www.omgpm.com
• DigiCert provides our customers with a safe way to protect their details whilst enabling secure purchases.
  DigiCert: Privacy Policy.
• Survey monkey
  allows us to provide a platform for customers to express their opinions about Hastings. www.surveymonkey.com
• TV Squared
  is used to provide us with an understanding of how potential customers respond to our television adverts by understanding the demand for visits to our site and how our site is performing. It enables us to ensure you continue to receive a good customer experience when you use our website. You can opt out of this cookie by visiting: http://collector-118.tvsquared.com/optout.php
• iovation
  is used to prevent and detect devices associated with fraudulent or other malicious activity. For further information on iovation cookies visit www.iovation.com.
• VE Global UK
  to help make the ads you see after browsing our website more relevant and interesting to you, VE Global UK may use cookies to show you Hastings Direct advertisements on websites across the internet based on your past activity on our website. To opt out visit: VE Global UK: How to opt-out of our use of your personal information.

---

What is the nature of the cookie-derived information we collect?

When you visit the website, our server will record your IP address, the date, time and duration of your visit and which areas of the website you visit. Your IP address is an assigned number allocated to your browser when you log on to the internet which acts as the 'address' of your computer whilst you are online and enables web servers to locate and deliver content to you. It is usually allocated on a temporary basis, i.e. for the duration of your session online.

Cookie-derived information is anonymous and represents a computer rather than a person. You cannot be personally identified from it and we use it solely on an anonymous, aggregated basis.

---

Use of web beacons

Some of our web pages may contain electronic images known as web beacons (sometimes known as clear gif's) that allow us to count users who have visited these pages. web beacons collect only limited information, which includes a cookie number, time and date of a page viewed and a description of the page on which the web beacon resides. We may also carry web beacons placed by third party advertisers. These Beacons do not carry any personally identifiable information and are only used to track the effectiveness of a particular campaign.

---

Can I decline to accept cookies?

You are not obliged to accept a cookie that we (or any other web server) send to you. Most browsers accept cookies automatically but you can modify the settings in your browser to turn off this feature. However, cookies are integral to some areas of the website and to certain parts of our online services, so if you do choose not to accept cookies from us, you may not be able to utilise some areas of the website and we may not be able to provide certain online services to you.

---

How do I modify my browser to turn off ("disable") the cookie acceptance feature?

If you would like to accept or decline cookies, you can find help about modifying your browser by visiting: AboutCookies.org.

---

Tell us what you think