Write a review

Go to business site

1st Central: Car insurance reviews

Name: Car insurance
Rating: 1.67 (926 reviews)

View other 1st Central products

1.53

Based on 926 reviews, last reviewed 4th Oct 2025

No new 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

38% decrease in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

12%

79%

Latest highest rating:

5

I have used this company before, and have never had... I have used this company before, and have never had any problems. Reviewed on: 6th September 2025

Latest lowest rating:

1

Cheapest quote didn't last long They came in as the cheapest quote and even though they're was done technical issues getting signed up I went with them then 1 week laid they needed t... Read more Reviewed on: 4th October 2025

Read all reviews Write a review

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 (926)

Awful

3 months ago my car was stolen and written off, still not been settled and customer service fob you off with excuse about them waiting for a report from brownsword who are their legal team. Reviewed on: 18th August 2022

Worst insurance company

I added an additional driver and then cancelled before the start date and it’s been over a month and I haven’t been refunded. I’ve contacted them several times and apparently the accounts team ‘haven’t quite got to it’. How much longer do they need!!!! They owe me £486!!!! Reviewed on: 17th August 2022

Poor process, poor communication, poor customer service

Original online quote didn't complete fully on the account setup, but they managed to process the deposit. When I called they said the money had gone somewhere but the online quote had disappeared and I would have to call Customer Services to get a requote (which just happened to be £300 more expensive????). I declined the offer of the insurance policy, naturally, and found one considerably cheaper elsewhere which I took out. Lo and behold! A day later they take the deposit for the "lost" online quote and activate that policy. The sauce of it... without any permission to do so after the conversations and records on their ChatBot as well. Very poor... I would suggest leaving well alone and looking elsewhere. Reviewed on: 17th August 2022

Intimidating and accusatory

Had an issue with the details provided, they had not updated the new details I gave and suggested they should take 50 pounds as an admin fee. I was told my premium was lower by £2.17 but they would charge £2.19 to change the details. Challenged my job title to see if it was accurate and at no point felt like my customer needs were met. AVOID AT ALL COSTS Reviewed on: 17th August 2022

AVOID!!!!! I can't stress this enough.

waited a month to request the following to be emailed and no way to supply via secure portal: all 4 pages of v5, proof of address, work contract, both sides of license, check code, passport, bank statement. Demanded all of this or insurance would be cancelled, never been asked for such sensitive data from a company to be sent unsecured via email. Refused to send these details due to gdpr concerns, was advised I had mandatory set up and cancellation charges. Had they requested this in the first instance within my cancellation window (14 days) I would have avoided charges. Went elsewhere after cancellation which worked out cheaper and they never requested any of this information, all went through and confirmed with no issues. This company is cowboy con artists. Considering going to insurance ombudsman, poor service, terrible contact and money demanding. Avoid at all costs! Reviewed on: 17th August 2022

Cancelled my policy out of the blue

Sent me an email on Friday stating my policy had been cancelled due to lack of proof of address, stating they had been emailing me for months although I have no record of any email. When called they put me on hold for 1.5 hours all for the manager to give me less than 25 seconds of his time to say he was unable to help me. Blunt, rude and almost seemed to enjoy my displeasure. Said that there was a 48 hour window in which after that there was nothing they could do. I am sure they cancelled this on a Friday on purpose as they knew their call centres were shut over the weekend! And the final cherry on the top was they have charged me a £80 cancellation fee, for a cancellation I didn't even want! Joke of a situation really not much you can do but laugh - and never insure your car here. Customer service has a lot to be desired for. Reviewed on: 15th August 2022

RIP OFF

Cancelled my insurance without contacting me even though all payments are up to date. Then expect a cancellation fee Absolute joke of a company. Reviewed on: 15th August 2022

Cowboy company lots of hidden charges

Really bad, used alot of insurance providers over the years but this has been the worst. Reviewed on: 15th August 2022

Brilliant customer service

I had a car accident whilst with them and they were very helpful and their customer service is brilliant. Whenever I had questions or had information to check or to change they were very quick and efficient. I’d recommend them to anyone. Reviewed on: 14th August 2022

Just awful

We are a garage so used to dealing with insurance companies. Never have I known anything like this! We are owed money and it seems like they just don't want to pay us! Chasing them up is a nightmare, time spent on hold when I could be working. Even the customer has had nothing but hassle with them. Avoid at all costs! Reviewed on: 12th August 2022

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

Alternative products

Caravan Insurance
from Staveley Head 1.33 from 10 reviews
Caravan Insurance
from Ripe Insurance 4.92 from 5865 reviews
Cycle Insurance
from A+ Insurance 5.00 from 1 reviews

Want to see more from 1st Central?

Breakdown cover
from 1st Central 4.44 from 16 reviews
Personal accident
from 1st Central 2.23 from 5 reviews
Home insurance
from 1st Central 0.00 from 0 reviews

View all products

Join Smart Money People

Keep up to date on ratings of your favourite businesses. Find out about our awards and write new reviews with ease

Create an account

News, guides and insight from our team

View resource hub