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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.

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1st Central Car insurance reviews (947)

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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