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1st Central: Car Insurance reviews

1.50
Based on 849 reviews, last reviewed 29th Nov 2024
50% increase in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
16% increase in 1 star reviews
in the past 90 days
See only 5 star reviews
12%
See only 4 star reviews
5%
See only 3 star reviews
2%
See only 2 star reviews
2%
See only 1 star reviews
79%

Latest highest rating:

5

Very good quote on car insurance, and recommended on... Very good quote on car insurance, and recommended on go compare site Reviewed on: 25th September 2024
Phillip Richardson 's avatar
Phillip Richardson

Latest lowest rating:

1

BEWARE!! Ludicrous charges! THEY DO NOT CARE!! Took out insurance and over a week later they asked for proof of NCB and proof of claims. Asked my last insurance provider for this. When I didn’t get... Read more Reviewed on: 29th November 2024
Katharine D's avatar
Katharine D

About this product

Here at Smart Money People, we collect 1st Central car insurance reviews from genuine customers, to help you make an informed decision about your next provider.

1st Central was founded in 2008 and has been growing fast ever since. Specialising in car insurance, the brand offers a variety of products with different levels of cover, including a telematics policy for newer drivers.

When choosing a new policy, take the time to ensure it is suitably robust and meets all of your needs. Do you want breakdown cover included in the policy? Do you need legal cover? What about cover for any medical expenses that may occur after an accident? Working out your priorities before searching for a policy can make the selection process much easier. Check out our 1st Central car insurance reviews to find out what others think.

Have you had a car insurance policy with 1st Central? Whether good or bad, share your experience with the Smart Money People community to help us increase trust and transparency in financial services. Were you satisfied with the price of the premium? Did you have any interactions with the customer service team? Leave a 1st Central car insurance review today to help other drivers just like you.

1st Central Car Insurance reviews (849)

Review of the 1st Central, Car Insurance:

Took ages to sort out an accident that was not my fault!

2
My car was hit when parked by a truck. 1st Central said they'd take control of the claim but simply handed it over to a shady third party claims management company, and then refused to discuss the matter further with me. They eventually compensated me for the inconvenience but come January I'll be moving my policy to someone else. Reviewed on: 10th November 2015

I am writing this review to express my profound disa...

1
I am writing this review to express my profound disappointment and exasperation with the services provided by your company. A one-star review doesn't even begin to cover the range of my dissatisfaction. You make me wish there was an option for a zero-star rating. There stands a gross lack of transparency in your operations - a glaring discrepancy from the professional behaviour one expects from a reputed insurance service. Allow me to regale you with the sorrid details. Approximately three weeks back, I had the misfortune of availing car insurance from 1st Center for my wife. Promptly acting on your request, I submitted my wife's driving license and no claims history within the required time. Imagine my consternation when, following the sadistic wait till the elapsing of the 14-day cooling-off period, you ordained to inform me of an 'alleged error' in entering my wife's job title and demanded an increase in the policy premium. The monthly payment, initially stipulated at a dear £125, skyrocketed in a heartbeat to an outrageous £365, after the addition of a so-called 'consolidation fee.' This sudden and inexplicable escalation in charges without a reasonable explanation is not just worrisome but a telling testament to your company's unscrupulous practices. To any unfortunate soul considering engaging in business with 1st Center Car Insurance, I say, 'Avoid as if your life depended on it.' It pretty much does. In my experience, the company seems to exploit any conceivable loophole for the sole aim of increasing monthly costs and yielding profit through the ruthless cancellation of policies. Insurance services ought to uphold the esteemed principles of transparency and fairness. However, it seems 1st Center Car Insurance found a bypass to these essential values, leaving clients like myself beyond disillusioned and questioning the ethical credibility of your business. Reluctantly, Pav Reviewed on: 15th February 2024

Awful company.

1
Awful company. AVOID! 1st CENTRAL Insurance are to be never used again from my family and friends. Come with strong advice not to use them. Further to an annual car insurance policy I took with them in November 2023. They followed up asking for proof of NCD on Xmas Eve 2023. Unfortunately xmas holiday season wasn't an ideal time to organise this for them and when I finally sent the NCD after the holidays they said it was eight hours too late and charged me £150.00. Never use them, They are blacklisted as an insurance company for me and I'd help anyone with the advice not to go with them. Use other companies and pay a little extra. They are money grabbers. Reviewed on: 15th February 2024

Awful experience

1
Charged me £125 because I’d put my partner’s occupation as manufacturing engineer instead of mechanical engineer…even though he does both at his job. Customer services representatives are rude and aggressive. I was told I’d still need to pay the £125 even if I cancelled my policy within the free cancellation period of 14 days. I have now found out that 1st Central offer low prices to lure you in and then fine comb the policy to check for ‘mistakes’ or make aggressive phone calls to pressure you into making a mistake and then make their money through the extra charges they apply. Disgusting. I would never use or recommend this company again. Reviewed on: 14th February 2024

Scummy company .

1
Scummy company ... They wait 14 days before contacting you so the legal cooling off period expires. Reviewed on: 10th February 2024

£100 admin fee to cancel my policy,

1
Charged me a £100 admin fee to cancel my policy, as I sold my car, so didn't have a lot of choice. All done online, so all automated and nobody had to do a single thing. Reviewed on: 6th February 2024

Fraudsters

1
Terrible company so many hidden costs. Wants information/documents from 8+ years ago. I paid in full thinking I was doing the right thing. It ended up being cheaper for me to leave than to stay with these crooks Reviewed on: 5th February 2024

Renewed my policy without me asking then want to cha...

1
Renewed my policy without me asking then want to charge me £200 to get out of it. Reviewed on: 4th February 2024

Avoid at all cost.

1
Allegedly information from the comparison site to 1st central about my SP30 did not reach them so I was unexpectedly given over 250 extra to pay. When I disputed this there was no apology, nothing. I had to cancel my insurance and now I have a default notice on my file due to the 250 not being paid despite my not being with 1st central anymore and I paid what was due during the time I was with them. Reviewed on: 30th January 2024

Massively undervalued my car!

1
Massively undervalued my car! Warning if you are with this company and get hit by another driver, you will lose thousands of pounds and sleep due to stress! Taken 2 months, hours of calls with no hire car and no money to buy another car! Treated appallingly! You have been warned, please don’t trust them with you car insurance! Reviewed on: 26th January 2024

Huge costs for any changes,Terrible customer service

1
Seems good to start with but any change even moments after you have taken out the policy Wil land you with huge fees!!!! Do not go with this company the most unhelpful customer service ever. It's worth paying more to get a better insurer. Will never go with them again. Reviewed on: 26th January 2024

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