Write a review

1st Central: Car Insurance reviews

Name: Car Insurance
Rating: 1.68 (853 reviews)

View other 1st Central products

1.51

Based on 853 reviews, last reviewed 23rd Dec 2024

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

5% decrease in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

12%

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

Latest lowest rating:

1

Distrustful customer service Spent two separate calls of 10-15min in the past week (Christmas time) trying to get two 1st Central advisors to accept my annual mileage estimation (... Read more Reviewed on: 23rd December 2024

Read all reviews See your review

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 (853)

Review of the 1st Central, Car Insurance:

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 them in time they charged £175. I had told them I had contacted twice to get these documents. I decided to cancel after nearly 4 weeks and for this I was charged £156, minus my first payment, despite their website saying it’s a £10 cancellation fee after 14 days!! Very impersonal service and completely ridiculous charges!! Felt as though they grabbed me with a cheap quote and then added on extras to make money. My monthly payment went from £37 to £55!! Felt like dealing with robots whose job is to add money on excessively!! Wish I’d read these reviews first!! Reviewed on: 29th November 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Katharine, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear about your experience with us. All details on the policy impact the price of the policy we offer, if details are found to be incorrect we need to update them and this can impact the price of the policy. If you’d like to speak to the team about this process, please give us a call on 0333 043 2095. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm. Ashley Response date: 2nd December 2024

Avoid

Avoid! They do unnecessary checks. Creating work and expense for you. Things that other insurers have never asked for. Reviewed on: 8th December 2023

Nothing but trouble

For some reason this company could not take payment despite the banks insistence that 1St Central were able to access funds. After several months of assurances and repeat issues this was finally resolved. However, my car had to be scrapped as the head gasket had blown. Cancellation fee was £109. Total rip off and will not be renewing on my other vehicle when the time comes. AVOID AT ALL COSTS, Reviewed on: 4th December 2023

Avoid at all costs!

Had a non fault accident, other party's insurance claimed liability but 1st central have still been taking monthly payments for a car that is written off. Expected me to pay nearly 6 times the price of their cancellation fee, will be glad when I no longer have any ties to this dreadful "company" Be aware that even in a calm collected conversation you will have abuse thrown at the by most representatives at this company, even had money reimbursed due to the insults and way their staff spoke to me by their management. If you want to have an easy time when going through a stressful time such as an accident use any other company as 1st central will make your life and the process hell! Reviewed on: 2nd December 2023

Scam/hidden charges

Charged extra upon arbitrary request of further documents (V5C) even though I have been with 1st Central before. Avoid at all costs. Reviewed on: 1st December 2023

£50 non-refundable arrangement fee. what a scam

I have just canceled my policy after it was renewed yesterday. There is a non-refundable arrangement fee of £50 I had to pay. Arrangement fee. Hmm. Careful with 1st central. I will try not to get a new policy from them in the future Reviewed on: 30th November 2023

Legalised criminals

Filthy company that should be investigated and ceased from trading. A pure scam. Do not have any dealings with them. They appear cheap but immediately look for holes in your policy and charge you for any changes they want to make, then they’ll look again and do the same again. Shameless. I’d happily pay double to insure with just about anyone else. The whole setup is probably just a bunch of crooked lawyers that have outsourced a customer service department to Manila. What are they really going to do for you if you have an accident anyway Reviewed on: 28th November 2023

Couldn't be worse if there was a cash prize

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

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

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

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

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

Join Smart Money People

Keep up to date on ratings of your favourite businesses. Find out about our awards and write new reviews with ease

Create an account

News, guides and insight from our team

View resource hub