Smart Money People Logo

1st Central: Car insurance reviews

1.50
Based on 951 reviews, last reviewed 13th Feb 2026
100% decrease in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
23% increase in 1 star reviews
in the past 90 days
See only 5 star reviews
11%
See only 4 star reviews
5%
See only 3 star reviews
2%
See only 2 star reviews
2%
See only 1 star reviews
80%

Latest highest rating:

5

Good and not too expensive Was looking for good value car insurance and found this one. Not too expensive and so far can’t say anything bad. Very easy to sign up. Reviewed on: 5th September 2025
Matus's avatar
Matus

Latest lowest rating:

1

FRAUDSTERS!!!!!!! BUYER BEWARE!!!!!!!! DO NOT BUY!!!! In 35 years of using car insurance companies, I have NEVER been robbed/conned like this before! This company comes up as cheap but I can now see why, ... Read more Reviewed on: 13th February 2026
Mem's avatar
Mem

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.

Review 1st Central: Car insurance now

Help others make smarter decisions by sharing your own experience. Write a review

1st Central Car insurance reviews (951)

Worse car insurance company

1
I would not recommend this company to anyone . This has been the worse mistake f my life . I am having trouble with my first car and choosing this insurance has feel like an ongoing nightmare. There is no communication as to what is going on they take days to reply to my email . I'm looking for a new ans better car insurance. Don't choose 1st central. They are a complete waste of time. Trust me you don't want to have countless headaches and frustration. Reviewed on: 2nd June 2023

AVOID

1
AVOID I made a claim for non fault repair, to schedule the repair it takes already 2 months. You call them every second day and they pass me from the team to the team, which are in locations like Sount Africa and cannot help but lie about the solutions, every person tells you different information. AVOID Reviewed on: 2nd June 2023

Hopeless renewal process

1
The renewal process was so difficult, after 3 hours we have up and took a more expensive policy just to get away from then Reviewed on: 2nd June 2023

Excellent highly recommended

5
They do a good deal on car insurance cheaper too Reviewed on: 31st May 2023

Total Scam

1
I got the insurance through an online insurance comparison site. One month later they ask me for loads of documents, all is correct and they ask for an unjustified increase of £‎200 in my policy. I've just asked them for my money back and to cancel the insurance, this is total abuse. Reviewed on: 31st May 2023

Great service

5
Amazing price, great service, friendly staff Reviewed on: 30th May 2023

Bad

1
This is honestly one of the worst companies ever, they send you a review to fill out literally just after you take the insurance out, so I’m sure you only have positive things to say. God forbid you ever have to claim, they have the worst communication, they send you around town and back and forth between teams. A lot of mechanics won’t do any of their repair work because they don’t pay them, so you may be waiting a VERY long time for their “approved mechanics” to fix your car. I had to find my own body shop repair and luckily they did the work. I had to get the ombudsman involved because it honestly was the worst service EVER. Reviewed on: 30th May 2023

DO NOT USE PLEASE

1
Worst customer service ever asked to speak to managers and a call to be listened to and they refused. Rude on calls and give wrong advice PLEASE USE ANYWHERE ELSE Reviewed on: 25th May 2023

Absolutely incompetent con men

1
Would not take my direct debit would not set it up after 4 months they tried to blame me and threatened to cancel my policy charging me obviously. My bank said they had never attempted to set up a direct debit this is a scam so you end up paying late payment fees and eventually pay a cancellation fee just to be rid of them . They made alot of money for doing nothing . Advisers are just kids no idea what each other is doing waste of time talking to them may as well bang your head against a wall .NEVER AGAIN. I have now changed to Churchill who are reputable and no issues what so ever . Reviewed on: 23rd May 2023

Avoid they just keep milking you for money.

1
Cancelled policy on Oct 22 for a car as I've got a van now and they don't cover commercial vehicles, fast forward to Feb 23 and I notice I'm still being charged. Contacted them they said I never cancelled at all. Cancelled there and then. Was assured I wouldn't get any Cancellation fees ec as they don't cover vans, had to then send them proof I had a van. Sent them registration and statement showing id purchased it. Apparently thats not good enough, I've now had them register a late payment against my bank last month and currently on hold to speak to a supervisor as the guy dealing with me had now said I need to provide proof now that I no longer own the car and he's asked for dvla or a v5. What is it with this company? They're making me jump through hoops hoping I'd just pay up. The late payment fee has already impacted my credit rating and they've also send an email dated today saying I have a month to pay or I'll have a default notice. I'm stressing out about this as I've already paid them for months it was supposed to be cancelled around £200ish and now they're still wanting £50ish whilst making me jump through hoops for them to waive the fee. How can company's operate like this? Is there an ombudsman you can complain to etc? Currently been on the phone for 49mins most of which is on hold waiting to speak to a supervisor... Reviewed on: 19th May 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

Want to see more from 1st Central?

    View all products