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1st Central: Car Insurance reviews

Name: Car Insurance
Rating: 1.68 (858 reviews)

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1.52

Based on 858 reviews, last reviewed 30th Jan 2025

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

24% 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

*SCAMMERS * Untrustworthy keep well away from this c... *SCAMMERS * Untrustworthy keep well away from this company. Reviewed on: 30th January 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.

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1st Central Car Insurance reviews (858)

Rip off merchants

Purchased car insurance online. Email received “suspected identity theft” , need copy of my licence, which I sent. Further email received falsely stating had given them wrong date of driving test, they have changed my info resulting in additional £60 charge (50 of which was for admin) or insurance to be cancelled. Phoned and challenged them, they backed down, apologised for ‘mistake’. Emailed me to confirm back down. 1 week later another email ‘default notice’ demanding the £60 or will cancel policy. Phoned them, they advised latest email another ‘mistake’ As cover not due to start for another 2 weeks told them I want to cancel, with full refund of premium. They refused, stating refund would be subject to £50 admin charge, even though I was still within 2 week cooling off period and cover had not yet started. They may well be cheapest quote, but avoid them like the plague. Reviewed on: 30th January 2023

Extortionate Fees

I made a small error on my NCD (never claimed in years but only had document confirming 3 years). I had to scan/screenprint various documents to send to them and then they charged me a £50 admin fee to increase my premium by £20 (£70 total). I looked at cancelling after only 30 days insurance coverage, but they then wanted to charge me a further admin fee even though i did it online, a cancellation fee, and a further fee which resulted in me potentially owing them even more money. I have begrudgingly styed with them but dread if there is any potential claim and certainly will not be renewing. AVOID THEM. Reviewed on: 27th January 2023

Rubbish company, error in their system, severe bullying tactics, no replies to e mails only threats

Severe bullying tactics, no replies to e mails, only threats by e mail, difficult to get through on the phone, disgusting service Reviewed on: 26th January 2023

Very poorly regulated

10 year customer, never claimed but when car got stolen in Nov 2022 they have made every option not to pay out.....now going to small claims court for mismanagement of personal data Reviewed on: 26th January 2023

7 weeks and still waiting for car to be assigned for accident repair

Had a bump in my car on 7th December and contacted 1st central straight away. The other vehicle had rear end damage and went through their own insurance. They had their car assessed and repaired and back with them within 10 days. My car is still on my drive despite numerous promises that their approved repairers will be in touch. They then said they would waver the charge they add if I elected my own repairer. They then failed to communicate with the chosen repairer and failed to authorise repair. Despite numerous calls to their call centre. Now they are asking for 9 photos to be sent to them before they can authorise repair! Absolutely shocking. Noone will take ownership of this claim and each time I call I get conflicting information. Theyve given me a hire car that keeps being extended but ultimately I'm responsible for keeping the claim costs down as this effects future premiums. Am at a loss as to what to do. I keep registering complaints but it means nothing and the call takers tell me there is no manager or anybody with mire authority that I can speak to. Please AVOID AVOID AVOID Tthis company !!!! Reviewed on: 26th January 2023

terrible insurance

It was the cheapest insurance at first, I got a Black Box that picks up activity on your phone I was a passenger in my car at the time (2nd driver on policy was driving) which I set the black box to passenger which I told them and sent evidence they did not care and cancelled my insurance and gave my a mega bill to pay. i phoned up and they did not care. Reviewed on: 26th January 2023

Worst car insurance company

Terrible customer service and a lot of fees. They tried to charge me an extra £140 and £50 administration fee on top of my policy I already paid in full. When I called to inquire about these charges I was greeted by the rudest customer service agent. I cancelled my policy immediately and was charged £100 of fees just to cancel. Avoid them at all costs. Reviewed on: 25th January 2023

Not the best, but not the worst

The website is clunky and not the easiest to use when making changes. Customer Support can take a while to reach, and the agents can be hit or miss Reviewed on: 24th January 2023

Owe me money - don't want to give it back

Been waiting over 2 weeks for a refund they owe me, chased it up 4 times on the phone and keep being fobbed off every time "under investigation" after an agent admitted the money is owed to me, they're quick enough to take the money, avoid. Reviewed on: 24th January 2023

Cowboy insurers

While the online experience was ok, all that came after was not. You have to create the account, send the the NCD and keep an eye on it. Ehen asked when did I get my license, I said the exact date. But, surprise-surprise, they wanted the date it was issued. Their checks say I wasn't exact, so an extra £98 will be applied to my account, which includes £50 admin (probably I should be happy). Just go elsewhere, this company is going to find a way to charge you more Reviewed on: 23rd January 2023

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