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1st Central: Car Insurance reviews

Name: Car Insurance
Rating: 1.68 (860 reviews)

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1.51

Based on 860 reviews, last reviewed 6th Feb 2025

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

10% 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

Almost got me arrested Opened a new policy in November, now currently February 2025. It turns out these scammers cancelled my insurance without telling me and allowed me to ... Read more Reviewed on: 6th February 2025

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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 (860)

Review of the 1st Central, Car Insurance:

So my son passed his test 27th Apr 2023,he was stopp...

So my son passed his test 27th Apr 2023,he was stopped by the police may 27th 2023,he went to court 5th Dec 2023,where he was convicted of a DG10 and recieved 12 month ban. 1st central were the cheapest insurance we could find since getting his licence back and still cost £3,881 for the year paid in full 8-12-24,1st central are now trying to say we put wrong date he passed his test (we didnt) and also saying we put wrong date he was convicted we put 5-12-23 the date he went to court and was convicted, but apparently that's wrong we should have put the date the offence occurred 27-5-23?? But he was NOT convicted on that date, and are now demanding another £1,908.75 2 change the dates we apparently put wrong (which are not wrong) otherwise they are cancelling his insurance!! Absolutely disgraceful that they can do this,and how they think it's acceptable to be charging £6,000 for 12 months car insurance, may I add,that is just bog standard fully comp,no added extras,breakdown cover or anything like that,and he also has a telematics box too. I will be cancelling his policy and I will also be contacting the ombudsman and the FCA regarding this as I think it's absolutely disgusting they can get away with this!! Reviewed on: 6th January 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Bridget, 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. 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: 8th January 2025

Such a awful customer service with foreign agents wh...

Such a awful customer service with foreign agents who had no compassion and understanding of company structure. It's a shamble of management. Their website is full of bugs and the process is ancient. Reviewed on: 20th October 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Saeed, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. We’ll use your comments to help improve our service and training for our agents. Ashley Response date: 21st October 2024

Shocking service

Tried to cancel policy because doubled my policy price just outside 40 days from renewal date received quote of £81 to cancel rang back to do so increased to £135! Helpline said because of 3 days interest asked to speak to supervisor on hold for over 30 mins appalling customer service do not touch!!! Reviewed on: 18th October 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Penelope, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. We'd like to look into this further for you to help resolve this, please send an email to [email protected] with your policy number a summary of your experience similar to your review and we will look into it. Ashley Response date: 21st October 2024

They drew money from my account

I did not renew the policy this year, but they withdrew money from my bank account. I have been trying to talk to them for the last two months without any success. I am currently holding my phone for the last 57 minutes trying to talk the right person about this. Reviewed on: 17th October 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hello, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. Let’s see if we can help put this right for you. Just give our team a call on 0333 043 2066 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm. We’ll use your comments to help improve our service and training for our agents. Ashley Response date: 18th October 2024

Frustrating

I've been with this company for the past few years. I've just bought a new car and was trying to sort a new policy as mine for my old car was about to run out. It was so frustrating trying to get through on the phone. I can't imagine that many people are phoning. After getting through I was passed in 3 times and the options are not clear and two people couldn't help me. Finally got to speak to one person, they was called Aphiwe. She just could not understand me. I was born and have lived in England all my life. How can a company based in England have staff who cannot understand me. After getting an awful quote I decided to look on a comparison website. Somehow found a better deal on there? Today I spoke to someone called Jonathan on the online chat. He was so miserable and blunt on there. I asked how to do something and all I got was a 2 word answer. Unfortunately i cannot be bothered to deal with the faff if finding another insurance company. I don't think I will be renewing next year. I dread to think how difficult it could be to claim if there was an accident. Reviewed on: 7th October 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Kelly, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. We’ll use your comments to help improve our service and training for our agents. Ashley Response date: 8th October 2024

Disaster Waiting to happen

I was quoted £790 for car insurance after filling ALL the required details ( an accident of my own making) two years ago, and accepted by thus Company, Two weeks after receiving my documents I am asked to supply my record of 21 years NCB which I emailed to them and asked for verification that they had received it.Next thing I get in return is a demand of £290 because they had received the 21 years NCB a day later,which to me sounded absolutely ludicrous. So after receiving the email I ring the number and get connected to Cape Town, South Africa!! Needless to say after talking to their representative I decided to cancel this policy,and it was on the fifteenth day of commencement,quoting the fourteen days cooking off period. I was informed that I will receive £630 approx shortly. I am not going to hold me breath,BUT if this is the way this company operates I think I made a wise decision to walk away. I dread to think what they would be like if I had to make a claim. Reviewed on: 1st October 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi John, 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 us to look into this further for you, please give us a call on 0333 043 2095. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm. Ashley Response date: 2nd October 2024

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

Reply from 1st Central Hi Phillip, Thank you for your review and for choosing 1st Central this year for your car insurance. Ashley Response date: 27th September 2024

The Staff are very Friendly and Courteous when I han...

The Staff are very Friendly and Courteous when I hang, also everything on the website is straight forward to follow, I have recommended 1st Central to them and they all say the same, I am also trying the home insurance next month,I am livery impressed Five Stars Reviewed on: 24th September 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi John, Thank you for your great feedback. We always look to offer the best service to our customers Response date: 25th September 2024

Go somewhere else to get your car insurance

THIS REVIEW IS MADE ON BEHALF OF MY SON Terrible customer service, right hand doesnt know what the left hand is doing cancelled policy on 21st June 2024 after being asked to pay an additional £241.95 because they didnt receive proof of my no claims bonus, then they realised they had and issued me with a -£241.95 refund. Phone call with their representative was hard work, eventually they agreed they were wrong and I decided then and there to cancel the policy over the phone because of their shoddy customer service, I have now received another email asking for £278 for a default of a direct debit they tried claiming on 9th July 2024 - they did reduce it to £178 because they thought their previous phone call to me back in June hadnt been dealt with properly and so gave me a goodwill gesture of £100. How nice of them - I dont owe the money I didnt ever owe the money so the £100 is not relevent - steer clear everyone this company is just out to squeeze extras out of their customers and former customers - they are scammers Reviewed on: 24th September 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Sarah, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your son's experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. We can see that a complaint was raised and £100 given as a goodwill gesture. We've passed this further review on to our Customer Relations team to add to your file and for investigation. They'll be in touch when they have any updates. Thank you again for your feedback. Clare Response date: 25th September 2024

WASTE OF MONEY

From my experience at this insurance company,they have been rejecting my calls,not bothering to even answer when I called,and they took double the amount of money they were supposed to take from my bank account.I do not recommend this insurance company at all! I would consider this being extremely rude as they have no respect to their customers at all and seem completely unprofessional and not bothered about their customers. Reviewed on: 23rd September 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Piotr, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. Let’s see if we can help put this right for you. Just give our team a call on 0333 043 2088 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm. Ashley Response date: 24th September 2024

Absolutely nasty and non-transparent company

Used them twice. The first time, 2022, a van drove into me and my car was written off. They handed my claim to a separate firm and 2.5 years on I am still waiting for settlement. This year, chose them as they appeared to be the cheapest. Don't be fooled. My car had to be scrapped after 6 weeks insured with 1st central and THEN all the hidden costs come out. Additionally, they required me to prove the vehicle had been transferred then forward dated the cancellation date to the issue date of the DVLA scrappage note. refuse to do anything about it. And admit I could not have been aware of the extra charges BEFORE I took out the policy, but refuse to do anything about it. Horrible horrible company. Stick with the transparent reputable companies. Reviewed on: 23rd September 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Judy, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. For cancelling a policy, if this ever needs to be back dated a car insurance company would need this date to be confirmed in writing. We advise of our cancellation fees when a policy is being set up online or over the phone. These are agreed by the customer, so they are aware upfront. We have this FAQ also - https://help.1stcentralinsurance.com/motor/cancellations/if-my-car-insurance-is-cancelled-why-do-i-still-owe-money-to-1st-central. Ashley Response date: 24th September 2024

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