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1st Central: Car Insurance reviews

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1.51
Based on 863 reviews, last reviewed 13th Feb 2025
100% decrease in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
32% decrease in 1 star reviews
in the past 90 days
See only 5 star reviews
12%
See only 4 star reviews
5%
See only 3 star reviews
2%
See only 2 star reviews
2%
See only 1 star reviews
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
Phillip Richardson 's avatar
Phillip Richardson

Latest lowest rating:

1

Horrendous SCAM. Horrendous SCAM. Decided they would add another £347 to the policy for a change of job, which was from working at a till in a Post office to Shop assi... Read more Reviewed on: 13th February 2025
Beverley G's avatar
Beverley G
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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.

Review 1st Central: Car Insurance now

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1st Central Car Insurance reviews (863)

Do not take out policy with these

1
I just got my policy frozen because I refused to answer the 7th security question. Everyone knows you only have to pass 3 security questions but I'd already given enough details for them to open a bank account or credit card in my name. They then froze my account when I asked to speak to a supervisor and hung up the call on me. Do not trust these people the call centre wasn't even in the UK. I only wanted to change the car on my policy because I bought a new one but now I have to catch the bus because of this information gathering advisor who's now potentially taking out credit in my name. Reviewed on: 18th July 2022
A Edwards's avatar
A Edwards

Rip off admin fees

1
I was charged £167 to change my address online using my account what a rip off I didn’t have any choice but to pay as I. Red the insurance and I don’t want the policy canvefded Reviewed on: 16th July 2022
Fiona pretty's avatar
Fiona pretty

Very lazy insurance company never help when false claims are made against customer, very happy to double premium instead. Disgraceful service.

1
A false claim was made against me. 1st central did noting to help resulting in financial loss with increase premium. Reviewed on: 14th July 2022
carol okoli's avatar
carol okoli

A completely dehumanising and demoralising affair

1
Myself and my partner have been put in a horrific position by our car insurer and their repairs company. She was in an accident over 5 months ago and out vehicle has not been fixed to a safe or roadworthy standard and was handed to a collection company without our consent and forced back upon is, the companies are refusing to take ownership of the issues and the related stress has caused is serious mental and physical health issues as well as loss of income and financial hardship. This has been ongoing for so long and we’re at the point where we haven’t been able to live like human beings anymore, as we can no longer afford food as well as fuel in the courtesy car they put us in and my partner requires a car for work as a healthcare assistant for the NHS. The repair company and the repair garage have completely cut off contact with us and are refusing to acknowledge the issues put forward. There are multiple other disgruntled and upset customers in similar situations who have been considering large scale action against the company, but the effect on us has been so profound and due to our existing mental health problems regarding depression and anxiety we have both become suicidal due to the ongoing difficulties we have had to face with this, and in my partner’s case the trauma she suffered as a result of the accident. We really need somewhere we can turn to now as we’re starting to lose any hope and if my partner does not have a safe, roadworthy car for her work she faces losing her job and career she has been building for 6 years and we face potential destitution and the loss of our home. Reviewed on: 12th July 2022
Morgan Mckimmings's avatar
Morgan Mckimmings

A complete lack of care and ownership

1
Be very aware when taking out a policy with 1st central as all positive reviews are related to setting up the policy, which of course is easy and the reviews don’t reflect what actually happens when you are in an accident and the repair process. 1st central do not actually deal with any repairs after you have been in an accident, they outsource all of this to a company called WNS therefore you cannot speak to 1st central about your accident troubles as they just tell you to ring the repairs team. WNS are mainly the reason for all of our delays but unfortunately that is still 1st centrals responsibility as our policy is with them and 1st central have not been helpful at all during the process. The date of my accident was the 15th February 2022 and it is now 12th July and my car still is not properly repaired. Firstly my courtesy car was booked as a manual car despite me informing them I only have an automatic license (and this is of course stated on my policy). It was then booked into the wrong garage 3 times causing months of delays, to which they said it was because of covid, but really they had my car on record as a mobile vehicle despite the doors being smashed in and it being off road and a claim form stating it was in drivable. This was admitted on a recorded phone line and seems to have been put down to poor communication between WMS and 1st central despite me ringing at least 10 times regarding this specific issue. Eventually when it was booked in to the correct garage who could deal with big crashes (Alton cars Keighley- would also avoid if your insurance selects this garage) it was returned with more damage, paint marks on the door, unfinished paintwork, overspray on the inside of the car, the airbag warning light on, the computer has gone funny due to the crash and this hasn’t been looked at meaning my MPG calculator changes randomly when driving at the same speed and gets stuck at 99.9MPG and if I can get 99.9MPG in a Kia picanto then I need to be on the news with my super car! My car then went back into Alton cars for a 2nd time and we were promised inspections before and after the vehicle went in, however this didn’t happen as the inspector was not advised properly therefore the report was based on incorrect information, which has also been admitted on a recorded phone line. The car was then transferred back to me without any notice or my consent for it to be given to another company (just a text from John MacAdam and Son to say the car was on its way) despite me wanting to collect the car myself so I could discuss any issues. Upon return the only things that have been sorted are the paintwork on the door and the sill, the computer still has not been looked at and the MPG calculator is totally random and now there are new dents on the car. Essentially at the end of all of this I have been left with a car which will not pass it’s MOT as the computer is not working properly and the steering is off. It is incredibly difficult to speak to any one at either 1st central or WNS as they say that someone will call you back and they never do meaning you have to chase every day like we have for 5 months. We have 1 complaint with the financial ombudsman and are about to give another to them as my 2nd complaint was closed without my consent and was offered £250 which is not enough to cover my repair costs which should have been sorted in the first place! My partner has spent essentially 2 whole days of annual leave chasing this up and we are no further with the case and have now had to seek legal advice from a solicitor, advice from the motor ombudsman, multiple financial ombudsman complaints and an email to BBC Watchdog which I can see that other policy holders have done as we are all in the same position! Reviewed on: 12th July 2022
Dawn Stewart's avatar
Dawn Stewart

Terrible Company

1
Awful company - run as fast as you can. They took my annual renewal of £490 then when I bought a new car a month later were asking for an additional £690 just to switch the car. I looked online and I can get insurance for the new car for over £300 cheaper. Their customer service is terrible and can't do anything to help at all. Scam of a company please never use even if introductory offer seems tempting. Reviewed on: 12th July 2022
Andehws's avatar
Andehws

Additional charge

1
After being insured for a month or two I was asked to send pics of licence, which I did. I've now been emailed to say that I owe an extra £60 (£50 of which is an admin fee) due to the date I passed my test not matching what is actually on my licence. I do not even recall having to enter a date, just how many years that I'd held my licence! Either way, the forced change actually means I've held my licence for longer than the random date they had down on the system. Wish I had seen these reviews before! Reviewed on: 8th July 2022
ben's avatar
ben

AVOID and RUN

1
I would like to give ZERO. I was looking for a cur insurance and came across with this scammers. Got insurance in May 2022, uploaded requested documents, the documentation list was ridiculously long, never had anything like that with other insurance companies. Despite the fact that i had 14 days to cancel, they didn't review documentation till July, after review they increased my insurance price up to £300 with explanation that was discrepancy between the dates. In order to cancel the policy they listed all applicable fees: £50 - arrangement fee £50 - admin fee £50 - cancellation fee £30 interest payment £90 cost of 46 days insured Ended up to pay £180 to cancel the policy (some payments were made so was deducted from total cancelation cost) I was thinking what could go wrong with this company, but i was very wrong. Read reviews and choose right company, otherwise you will loose monies. Will report to Ombudsman. Reviewed on: 6th July 2022
Ka's avatar
Ka

Rip off

1
This appeared to be the cheapest car insurance I could find, as I’d been looking for a while but the prices seemed to be going up daily so I panicked knowing I had to sort out my insurance but didn’t want to pay an extortionate price. When I first saw the price I thought it was just about manageable but then literally saw nothing about a £50 broker fee! So I tried to cancel and they were adamant that I would not be able to get the £50 back, but guess I have no choice but to stick with them but hope I have no issues if I have to make any claims Reviewed on: 6th July 2022
Eva S's avatar
Eva S

Worst company I have ever dealt with

1
The initial claim call was good but things quickly deteriorated. A courtesy car was not requested and due to the delays it could take 3 weeks to get one at least. I have no update on my vehicle repair and they seem to be saying it was going to take a week before someone in the allocations team even started looking for a garage to repair the car. Nobody has provided me with an update but I do weirdly keep receiving emails about my child's booster seat! If only I had a car to pick him up in. I don't live with my son and haven't been able to see him so what good is a booster seat. The complaints team issued a holding letter stating they would take 14 days and when I've tried to speak to them they've been too busy...I bet they are very busy! It's a mess and this company should be shut down if they can't provide a reasonable level of service. I don't know how I can resolve it as literally nobody wants to or can help me. I'm gutted. Reviewed on: 6th July 2022
Barrie Brain's avatar
Barrie Brain

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