Smart Money People Logo

1st Central: Car Insurance reviews

1.50
Based on 847 reviews, last reviewed 15th Nov 2024
No new 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
17% 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

Ok where do I start ! Ok where do I start !!!!!! If you want to get car insurance then look else where !!!!!!!!! I have spent more time on the phone trying to get help with... Read more Reviewed on: 15th November 2024
Kevin's avatar
Kevin

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 (847)

Review of the 1st Central, Car Insurance:

AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS APPALLING COMPANY IF...

1
AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS APPALLING COMPANY IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT THEY DO NOT LISTEN TO YOU OR FIGHT YOUR CLAIM A 3RD PARTY HIT MY SON HE TURNED OUT OF HIS LANE INTO MY SON ON A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY AND APPARENTLY ITS 50 /50 CASE LAW SAYS BOTH ARE AT FAULT SO MY SONS FAULT TOO EVEN THOUGH HE STAYED IN HIS OWN LANE AND DIDNT MOVE HE HAD NEARLY PASSED THE DRIVER WHEN HE DECIDED TO CHANGE LANES AND HIT HIM YET THE INSURANCE COMPANY DO NOT FIGHT THE LIABILITY JUST TAKE THE NO CLAIMS WITHOUT PAYING ANYONE OUT AND WITHOUT NOTIFICATION ABSOLUTELY AWFUL AVOID AVOID AVOID BECAUSE THEY ARE CHEAP DOES NOT MEAN GOOD AVOID AVOID AVOID Reviewed on: 10th November 2024
Reply from 1st Central Hi Joanne, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. If there’s anything you’d like us to look into for you, please contact us by sending an email to [email protected]. Please include your policy number and details of what’s gone wrong, and we’ll see if we can put things right. Ashley Response date: 11th November 2024
1st Central Logo
1st Central

Couldn't be worse if there was a cash prize

1
100% the worst company I have ever dealt with in my life. Not only the worst insurance company but the worst company. Nothing but problems which they make themselves. Went through to them from compare the market and after paying for a full year upfront, the next month was nearly daily emails of new problems they've come up with. Each time I'd sort their problem they'd somehow find a new one. They needed my v5, they needed a bill of sale, they wanted proof of everything i'd written! They accused me of being in a at fault accident, they refused the first 2 emails from Admiral of non fault accident 2 years ago! The emails weren't in pdf and they need pdf. Then my name is wrong, I've put Mike instead of Michael and 6 weeks after, they've noticed and now I need to pay them. This company is vomit inducingly horrendous and I would strongly recommend people read the reviews thoroughly before considering putting such a huge amount of trust into this untrustworthy, money grabbing, nit picking, horrible customer service group of fools. Stay clear, wish we had Reviewed on: 28th November 2023

SHUT THEM DOWN

1
Sent numerous emails and asked for information but ignored. OK at taking your money but useless if you need support. They should be shut down by the regulator Reviewed on: 22nd November 2023

Rip of company

1
Do not use rip of ! They give you cheap qoute then month or so later email you with some excuse as to why they want more money of you, happend twice now !!!! Reviewed on: 22nd November 2023

Time & Money Waste

1
not writing anything out of anger but this organisation is BOGUS - their after sales service is pathetic - they don't know how to manage or maintain the positive impact on customer - I have bought their insurance 1st in sep (they have cancelled it without any reason and then they have forcefully deducted 78£ from my account as a cancellation charge). Then I have trusted them again in Oct and bought their insurance 2nd time and guess what their payment department was facing some issues and they failed to collect a payment from my account and cancelled my insurance without even calling me and the best part they were continuously sending me threatening txt to pay 120£ cancellation fees. I have called many times - emailed but no one responded - I have paid almost 200£ which was not even my fault. pathetic service - pathetic company - pathetic experience. Reviewed on: 20th November 2023

Awful company

1
Charlatans. Poor communication. Just shoddy service Reviewed on: 16th November 2023

robbery

1
this company is committing daylight robbery. it may sound cheaper on the surface but the have so many hidden fees its insane... and they arent cheap either. very dishonest misleading company... avoid at all costs Reviewed on: 16th November 2023

Extra charges everywhere

1
I was charged an additional £72 because I forgot the date I bought my car on, and that counted as a policy change with the extra cost. Reviewed on: 15th November 2023

Absolutely the worst customer service

1
They are the worst, The worst customer service I have received so far in UK. They didn't help with solving claim that wasn't my fault even though I have asked for help multiple times and agree to go court. Client service service is really bad, the man over the phone was rude and didn't help me at all. In the end, becouse my bank has revoked my debit card and send me new one, my monthly payment didn't come thru, when I noticed that (3rd day after payment day) I called them and they told me that my policy is cancelled. When I asked them to just continue my policy and take new payment details thety told me that they can't and here is how much fees they added (even though I still wanted to stay with them): Arrangement fee £50.00 Default fees (for any late payments) £15.00 Cancellation fee £50.00 115 pounds for 3 day of missed payment it was almost 2 months of insurance fee, insane! Reviewed on: 8th November 2023

Worst Customer Service ever!

1
This has been an utterly appalling experience with their customer service! I was appalled by the fact that I wanted to terminate the renewal of my insurance. After being a loyal customer for two years, paying a reasonable £88, they abruptly decided to charge me an exorbitant £270 per month, citing increased repair costs. What's even worse is that they never bothered to inform me about any auto-renewal, and shockingly, I found out that you can't even cancel it through an email, buried in their terms and conditions. Upon receiving an email about the renewal, I promptly informed them that I had switched to Admiral, and that's when things went from bad to worse. They had the audacity to demand an additional admin fee for the cancellation. To add insult to injury, I had a terribly unpleasant encounter with one of their chat support agents. When I politely asked for his details, he simply closed the chat without any response. In summary, I would strongly advise anyone to stay far away from this company. Their customer service is not just bad; it's shockingly unprofessional and unacceptable. Reviewed on: 7th November 2023

Appalling Service, Cancelled Insurance Without Warning

1
We were off to a very rocky start right from the beginning. I was given a deadline to submit my documents, I sent 5 SEPARATE EMAILS with my documents, they told me I didn’t send any. I have the emails as proof I did actually send them. When I finally spoke to someone, customer service wasn’t good or helpful. They said if I didn’t supply the documents, they would cancel my insurance and charge me £72. I had told them I had sent 5 different emails with the documents, the lady I spoke to told me I hadn’t cause if I did, they would’ve had them, despite confirming I sent them to the correct email. I finally managed to get it sorted by screenshotting each individual document and sending them individually. I’ve had the insurance for 3 months and have woken to an email saying my insurance has been cancelled from the 1st November effective 23:59…. and wanting to charge me £115 for an outstanding balance, even though I’m up to date with my payments. I got this email on 1st November at 10:15pm while I was asleep. So woke up to get ready for work at 4am and saw I had no car insurance. No warning, no letter, no pre email and no phone call. Just a cancellation email at 10pm at night. Call lines don’t open until 8am, so they’ve left me scrambling to try get cover so I can get to work. I’ve now had to take out another insurance with a different company so I can get to work, but will now have to spend my day trying to get this sorted. I’m beyond frustrated and upset, this has been so incredibly stressful. 1st Central has used bullying tactics from day one, threatening to cancel my policy, charge me £72 if I didn’t submit my information (WHICH I DID MULTIPLE TIMES) and has just cancelled my policy, without warning and is now charging me £115. I should’ve gone with my gut feeling and backed out after speaking with customer care, but who wants to pay £72 on top of what you already paid. It’s appalling service. Reviewed on: 2nd November 2023

Do you have a different 1st Central product?

Share your experiences with products to help others make smarter financial decisions and learn more about different products available. Write a review

There's still more to see!

1st Central has a range of products available. Check the ratings of each product to find the right one for you. View all products