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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.

1st Central Car Insurance reviews (858)

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

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

Ncd discount

Ive send them 2ncds from 2 different companies for 20% discount. They didn't accept it because the insurance was for 22months all together. Because of 2 months they charged me extra 60 pounds. Claim was that those two cars had insurance in the same time. Even information about company car which has insurance on my name for last 2 years didn't help because they were not interested. Reviewed on: 17th January 2023

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