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1st Central: Car insurance reviews

Name: Car insurance
Rating: 1.71 (965 reviews)

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1.71

Based on 965 reviews, last reviewed 7th Jun 2026

100% increase in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

15% decrease in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

11%

80%

Latest highest rating:

5

Just started my third year of car insurance cover wi... Just started my third year of car insurance cover with 1st Central. Good value for money, helpful customer service, clearly laid out website and easy ... Read more Reviewed on: 17th April 2026

Latest lowest rating:

1

Please avoid this company, money grabbers! I purchased car insurance and then found a more comprehensive cover for the same price, so within 12 hours decided to cancel whilst policy was pending... Read more Reviewed on: 7th June 2026

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About this product

With 1st Central, you can insure a single car or opt for a multicar policy. There’s also a telematics policy.

As standard, you get up to 90 days free cover when driving in Europe. There are five policies to choose from giving different levels of cover: ValueOnline, Online, LegalOnline, PlusOnline and PremierOnline.

1st Central car insurance reviews help you find out what it’s really like to be a customer. If you’ve used 1st Central before, you can also leave a review and share your experience.

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1st Central Car insurance reviews (965)

Jokers

Absolute rubbish. Asked for no claims that I sent 3 times then decided I had accidents on record, except I don’t … not anywhere with anyone else. When I queried it they wanted all my documents from every insurance ever as proof that they were in the wrong. Total waste of time and effort dealing with them, jokers just want to stick your insurance payments up. Reviewed on: 18th December 2023

Do not use them

Sadly, 1st central failed to do the job they were committed to do. I paid enough money through the year and they simple closed my claim, no communication, nothing. My car was hit, I had 2 witnesses, they both seen the person, the car that damaged mine. 1st cental failed to support my claim stating there's nothing they could do. Then without notice closed my case. Said they tried contacting me, which was simple untrue. Please do not use them, pay little more money and get somone better. Reviewed on: 16th December 2023

Car Accident

Had an Accident in March, one of there insured drove into the back of me when I was stationary, they admitted liability now saying accident never occurred, bunch of jokers Reviewed on: 14th December 2023

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

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