What Hastings Insurance does

Hastings Insurance is an Irish family-owned insurance brokerage founded in 1980 by David and Mary McDermott in Westport, Co. Mayo. The company operates as an intermediary broker between consumers and product providers, distributing personal lines (car, home, van, farm, health, travel, marine, expats), commercial lines (cyber, professional indemnity, public liability, motor fleet, directors and officers, property owners), and financial services (pensions, life assurance, savings, investments, income protection, mortgages) through 8 physical branches across Mayo, Sligo, Galway, and Dublin. Revenue is generated via single, trail/renewal, and indemnity commissions from multiple carriers including Aviva, AXA, Zurich, Irish Life, and New Ireland. The company is controlled by the McDermott family, with Paul McDermott serving as Managing Director, and has expanded through four completed acquisitions between 2021 and 2025 — Thompson Insurances (Dublin corporate lines, 2021), Padraig McInerney Insurance (Galway, 2022), Bruen Brothers & Co. (non-life book, 2023), and Insurance Consultants Limited (2025).

The company's core technology posture centers on broker-led multi-carrier comparison with a recently launched telematics-based product, BoxClever, offered in partnership with AIG. BoxClever uses a black-box device installed in vehicles to capture driving data — speed, acceleration, deceleration, turning, time of day, journey length, frequency, and total mileage — which feeds into safe-driving scores and usage-based premium pricing. The box adds no mid-term charges, no mileage restrictions, and includes theft-tracking GPS, accident alerting, and an AIG Driving Portal for claims. Beyond BoxClever, the technology footprint is conventional: website-based quote requests, phone-based inside sales (0818 911 222), online quote forms, and a dedicated College Portal for student cover schemes. No APIs, SDKs, AI/ML modalities, or proprietary model infrastructure are disclosed.

Go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, combining face-to-face consultation at branches, phone inside sales, and online quote requests. The company actively markets through content (blog), organic social (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram), email/newsletter, and major community sponsorships (Mayo GAA naming rights to MacHale Park, Titans Basketball Club). Customer acquisition targets retail consumers, Irish SMBs across 14+ commercial sectors (Construction, Renewable Energy, Technology & Fintech, Healthcare, Hospitality, M&A, etc.), and specific scheme communities (students, amusement arcades, funeral directors, hair and beauty). The business remains family-controlled with no disclosed PE/VC backing and no public ticker.

Name

Hastings Insurance

Legal name

Hastings (Westport) Ltd

Website

https://hastings.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Family-owned Irish insurance brokerage founded in 1980, operating 8 branches across Mayo, Sligo, Galway, and Dublin, distributing personal, commercial, and financial insurance products on behalf of multiple carriers including Aviva, AXA, Zurich, and Irish Life.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insurance Brokerage

NAICS

Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210), Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Insurance Brokerage (Marine, Aviation, Cyber, Professional Lines) (FSAEADAJ)

Keywords

• Insurance brokerage
• Personal insurance
• Commercial insurance
• Financial planning
• Telematics insurance

Headquarters

HQ city

Westport

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance Brokerage Commissions: Hastings Insurance acts as an intermediary (broker) between consumers and product providers. They earn commission payments from insurance companies for placing business. Commission structures include single commission (upfront payment based on percentage of premium), trail/renewal commission (ongoing payments throughout policy life), and indemnity commission (advance payments subject to clawback). They work with multiple insurance providers including Aviva, AXA, Zurich, Irish Life, New Ireland, and others.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Hastings Insurance is an Irish insurance brokerage that compares and distributes insurance policies from multiple providers (Aviva, AXA, Zurich, Irish Life, New Ireland, AIG) to retail consumers and businesses. The company offers personal insurance, commercial insurance, and financial planning products through 8 physical branches across Ireland and a website with quick quote functionality. Revenue is earned via commissions paid by insurance providers for placed business.

Product overview

Hastings Insurance is an Irish family-owned insurance brokerage operating since 1980 with 8 branches across Mayo, Sligo, Galway, and Dublin. The company operates as a multi-product insurance broker offering personal insurance (car, home, van, health, farm, travel, marine, expats), commercial/business insurance (cyber, professional indemnity, public liability, motor fleet, directors & officers), and financial services (pensions, life assurance, savings & investments, income protection, mortgages). They differentiate through their broker model—comparing multiple providers to find suitable coverage at competitive prices—and have recently launched BoxClever telematics car insurance in partnership with AIG, a product targeting younger drivers with usage-based pricing. The company has made several acquisitions (Thompson Insurances, Padraig McInerney Insurance, Insurance Consultants Limited, Bruen Brothers) expanding their market presence.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• BoxClever: A telematics-based car insurance product offered in partnership with AIG, designed for younger drivers and those wanting to save through good driving habits

Products and services

• Car Insurance Searches the market to find competitive car insurance rates across multiple providers, ensuring value without compromising coverage, for individual vehicle owners.
• Home Insurance Covers repair or rebuild costs following damage from flooding, fire, or extreme weather, including contents coverage for furniture and possessions, for homeowners.
• BoxClever Telematics Car Insurance A telematics-based car insurance product developed in partnership with AIG that uses a black box device to monitor driving habits and rewards safe drivers with competitive pricing, no mileage restrictions, no mid-term charges, theft tracking GPS, and accident alerts. Designed for younger drivers, new drivers, and experienced motorists seeking lower premiums.
• Van Insurance Insurance coverage for vans used for business or personal purposes, comparing the market for competitive rates.
• Health Insurance Health insurance coverage with access to various healthcare providers and treatment options for individuals and families.
• Farm Insurance Insurance coverage for farms including buildings, equipment, livestock, and liability protection for agricultural operations.
• Travel Insurance Coverage for travel-related risks including medical emergencies, trip cancellations, and lost baggage for individuals and families.
• Cyber Insurance Protection against cyber threats, data breaches, and digital risk exposures for businesses of various sizes.
• Professional Indemnity Insurance Coverage protecting professionals against claims arising from negligence or errors in their professional services.
• Public, Products & Employers Liability Insurance Coverage for third-party injuries, property damage, and employee-related claims for businesses.
• Motor Fleet Insurance Insurance coverage for businesses with multiple vehicles under a single policy.
• Directors & Officers Insurance Protection for company directors and officers against personal liability for management decisions.
• Property Owners Insurance Insurance coverage for property owners and landlords protecting buildings and liability exposures.
• Pensions & Retirement Planning Long-term savings and pension products with tax relief to provide income in retirement, distributed through partnerships with Irish Life and New Ireland Assurance.
• Life Assurance Financial protection for loved ones in the event of the policyholder's passing, distributed through Irish Life and New Ireland Assurance.
• Savings & Investments Investment products tailored to individual risk profiles and financial goals.
• Mortgages Mortgage advisory services and access to various mortgage lenders for home purchases and switching, trading under the Hastings Mortgages brand.
• Student Cover Insurance coverage specifically designed for students, accessed via the College Portal.
• College Portal Online portal for college students to access and manage their student insurance coverage.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Titans Basketball ClubminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 February 2023Partnership with Titans Basketball Club, Galway's Premier Basketball Club. The sponsorship supports local basketball in Galway.
• Mayo GAAcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 July 2021Long-term partnership deal with Mayo GAA including official naming rights to MacHale Park. The stadium is now known as 'Hastings Insurance Brokers MacHale Park'. As a family-owned business with deep roots in the Mayo and GAA community, this sponsorship supports county teams and local clubs.
• AIG (BoxClever)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoxClever is a telematics-based car insurance product offered in partnership with AIG, designed for younger drivers, new drivers, and experienced motorists seeking lower premiums. The product uses a black box device to monitor driving habits and offer premiums based on actual driving behavior.
• AvivacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAviva is one of the major insurance providers whose products are distributed through Hastings Insurance. They offer various insurance products including home, car, farm, and commercial insurance.
• AXAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAXA is an insurance provider whose products are distributed through Hastings Insurance, offering home, car, and commercial insurance.
• ZurichcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorZurich is an insurance provider whose products are distributed through Hastings Insurance, offering home, farm, and commercial insurance.
• Irish LifecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIrish Life is a life assurance and pension provider whose financial services products are distributed through Hastings Insurance.
• New Ireland AssurancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew Ireland Assurance is a life assurance and pension provider whose products are distributed through Hastings Insurance's financial services offering.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Aviva Ireland: One of the largest general insurers in Ireland, providing home, car, commercial, and life products. Comparable in product range but operates as an underwriting carrier rather than a broker, and is also a key distribution partner for Hastings.
• Zurich Ireland: Major general insurer in Ireland offering personal, commercial, and farm insurance. Comparable in personal/commercial/farm product set, a panel partner for Hastings, and a competitor at the underwriting layer.
• Aon Ireland: Irish operation of global insurance and reinsurance broker Aon, focused on commercial, corporate, and specialty lines. Comparable as a multi-carrier broker but at much larger scale and oriented toward enterprise clients rather than retail/SME.
• Liberty Insurance Ireland: Irish subsidiary of Liberty Mutual offering personal and commercial lines. Comparable in product focus (especially motor) and a competitor for the same end-customers, while also potentially a distribution partner for Hastings.
• Marsh Ireland: Irish arm of global insurance broker Marsh, serving large commercial and corporate clients with risk advisory and brokerage services. Overlaps with Hastings' corporate book (via Thompson Insurances) but is a much larger incumbent.

Direct peers

• FBD Insurance: Irish farmer-founded mutual that operates as both an underwriter and broker, with a strong regional branch footprint in personal, farm, and commercial lines. Closely comparable to Hastings in target customer base (rural and SME Ireland) and product range.
• Arachas (Brown & Brown Ireland): One of Ireland's largest independent insurance brokerages, offering personal, commercial, and corporate lines across a multi-branch national network. Directly comparable to Hastings in product breadth, multi-carrier broker model, and acquisition-driven growth.
• Gallivan Financial & Insurance Brokers: Mid-sized independent Irish insurance and financial broker serving personal and commercial clients, with a multi-branch presence in Munster. Comparable as a regional Irish broker competing for the same personal/SME book.
• Howden Insurance Brokers Ireland: Irish arm of global broker Howden, providing personal, commercial, and specialty lines through regional offices. Comparable in product breadth and multi-carrier broker model, with stronger specialty/corporate capability.

Regional players

• O'Donovan Insurances: Independent Cork-based insurance broker operating across personal, commercial, and life/pensions lines. Comparable regional multi-line broker serving Irish SMEs and consumers, primarily in Munster rather than Connacht.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hastingsinsuranceireland
• LinkedInie.linkedin.com/company/hastings-insurance-brokers
• Instagraminstagram.com/hastingsinsurance?igsh=bnh2bjVla3kwb251
• Xx.com/hastmachalepark

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hastings Insurance