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1st Central: Car insurance reviews

Name: Car insurance
Rating: 1.66 (947 reviews)

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1.51

Based on 947 reviews, last reviewed 23rd Jan 2026

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

31% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

12%

79%

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

Latest lowest rating:

1

Bait-and-switch insurer Feels like a scam – stay away Quoted one price, then after the policy started 1st Central changed things retrospectively, increased the premium and a... Read more Reviewed on: 23rd January 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.

1st Central Car insurance reviews (947)

Review of the 1st Central, Car insurance:

Great First Impression

I haven't had to claim yet and I hope I don't have to but the process to apply was easy and their website is excellent. Reviewed on: 9th June 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hello, Thank you for your review and for choosing 1st Central this year for your car insurance. Ashley Response date: 10th June 2024

The renewal premium was heavily increased for no app...

The renewal premium was heavily increased for no apparent reason. All documents are online but the platform is not always accessible Reviewed on: 4th September 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Chris, Thank you for your review. The price of car insurance is priced on a daily basis, which means this can change at renewal. We have this article that goes in to some of the areas that makes up the price - https://www.1stcentralinsurance.com/car-insurance/what-affects-your-price. We're sorry you've had issues logging in to, you should be able to access Your Account at any time (unless it's down for updates). Ashley Response date: 5th September 2025

NIGHTMARE!!

I’ve been driving for over 20 years with a spotless record and no claims, but my experience with 1st Central has been nothing short of a nightmare. I took out a policy with them and just 6 days later had to return the vehicle due to engine problems. I called 1st Central to ask about my options and was advised by their own staff that the best (and cheapest) course of action was to cancel the policy within the 14-day cooling-off period and simply take out a new one once I got a replacement car. So, I did exactly what they recommended. But when I went back to arrange a new policy, I was suddenly denied – not just by them, but it seems this cancellation flagged me across insurers, leading to ridiculously high quotes everywhere. I called and spent over 2 hours on the phone with them, hoping for some accountability or at least a solution. Instead, all I got was shrugged shoulders and a flat refusal: apparently, I am now barred from ever insuring with them again. This is despite following their own advice and cancelling within the legal cooling-off period (only 6 days after it started!)!! Absolutely shocking treatment. No help, no solutions, and no consideration for a loyal, claim-free driver with two decades of experience. If you value your peace of mind, avoid 1st Central at all costs – their policies may look cheap upfront, but you’ll pay dearly in stress and unfair treatment!!! Reviewed on: 2nd September 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Tina, 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. 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: 3rd September 2025

Terrible company

The first issue was, they took money from my account, for the monthly payment, then bounced it back in and claimed I hadn't paid, (there was money in the account, even checked with bank via the phone) so they charged me a late fee... And wouldn't rectify the issue, with awfully rude staff. Stupidly I came back for a second policy with them, being they were the cheapest. Customer service as I say, sadly are so rude and blunt. They don't accept changes for modifications, even though it's there written in the policy changed, with a drop down box to select the changes. Please do not bother with this company! Pay a little extra. Reviewed on: 23rd August 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Jessica, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. 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: 1st September 2025

no policy document provided

paid for car insurance at the beginning of August and as of today, 22nd August,have received no policy documents either by post or email,despite asking for them. Is this company real or are they scammers? Reviewed on: 22nd August 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi aanwrh, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. These documents would've been emailed to you the day you purchased the policy and would be visible in Your Account. Please check your spam folder in your email account also. If you still haven't seen them, please speak to us 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. Thanks for choosing 1st Central this year. Ashley Response date: 1st September 2025

Absolutely terrible experience.

Absolutely terrible experience. I had an accident that was never properly investigated. Despite me reporting it to the police and even providing CCTV footage, the company showed no interest whatsoever. They didn’t review the images of my vehicle damage, never contacted me about the progress of my claim, and simply assumed the accident was my fault—even though the other driver caused the collision and is now facing charges for their poor driving. I now have to attend a trial without any support or communication from my own insurer. Completely unacceptable service. Avoid this company at all costs. Reviewed on: 16th August 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Eve, 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 2022 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 9am to 6pm. Ashley Response date: 1st September 2025

Easy to apply, easily understandable

Easy to apply, easily understandable Reviewed on: 11th August 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hello, Thank you for your review and for choosing 1st Central this year for your car insurance. Ashley Response date: 12th August 2025

DO NOT USE THEM!!

Worse experience of my life, no communication, the staff do not understand their customers!! Reviewed on: 6th August 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Stacy, 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. Ashley Response date: 8th August 2025

quote changed from £500 to £750 in a week

I tried to add my daughter to my car insurance and was quoted £503. A week later we agreed to add her and I tried several times to contact the insurance which took all day, and when we got through and said we would like to go ahead they said the price was now £750 I asked why and they said they didnt know Just daylight robbery no need for it Reviewed on: 30th July 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Gary, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. The price of insurance is rated on a daily basis, so if a quote isn't accepted on the day, this could change. This is due to underwriting criteria, and we do advise this when a quote is run. We’ll use your comments to help improve our service. Ashley Response date: 1st August 2025

You think you’re getting a good deal with a cheap pr...

You think you’re getting a good deal with a cheap price but they do that to get your card details then they invent reasons to change your policy and charge fees higher than the cost of the entire annual amount. Pay a bit more and avoid scams. Reviewed on: 25th July 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Claire, 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: 28th July 2025

USE AT YOUR OWN PERIL

took out policy 305 pounds , policy was cancelled by 1st CENTRAL after 78 days then told me i owe them a total of 410 pounds and then set law company after me .DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT USING THEM , CHEAP QUOTE THEN TRY TO SCARE YOU TO PAY . Reviewed on: 23rd July 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi T M, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. 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: 25th July 2025

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