Write a review

1st Central: Car Insurance reviews

Name: Car Insurance
Rating: 1.68 (866 reviews)

View other 1st Central products

1.49

Based on 866 reviews, last reviewed 16th Feb 2025

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

18% decrease in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

12%

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

Latest lowest rating:

1

I changed the address to another one 200 yards away... I changed the address to another one 200 yards away from the first one. They wrote that they would pay me 17 pence extra. But my renewal went up from ... Read more Reviewed on: 16th February 2025

Read all reviews Write a review

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

Help others make smarter decisions by sharing your own experience.

Write a review

1st Central Car Insurance reviews (866)

Ridiculous

Attractive price but didn't expect to be left with such a sour taste. My own error, I set up a policy to start 2 days after necessary. I called within an hour to change it, only to be told that it would cost me. I asked to cancel the policy instead and have since received an email telling me that I need to pay a cancellation fee AND an arrangement fee, this is despite the '14 day cooling off period'. I've raised a complaint but don't hold much of hope in having this resolved by them. Will mostly likely be raising with the FOS Reviewed on: 28th June 2022

Scammers - keep well away

Would give zero. After my Son took out insurance three months in they cancelled the policy when funds were available. My son was not informed of the cancellation was stopped by Police for no insurance. The first my Son was aware. Now facing 6 points a £300 charge and loss of licence. Can't get hold of these cowboys. Will be contesting in Court and taking action against 1stCentral. They have caused massive stress on my Son and family.. please keep well away from taking out a policy with them. Solicitor has been instructed Reviewed on: 28th June 2022

Scammers

They tried to charge me ridiculous fees for no reason and charged me loads more when I cancelled. It ended up costing me £250 to be insured for the 2 months I had the policy. Never had any problems with any other Insurers. I will definitely not ever Insure with them again. Reviewed on: 27th June 2022

Avoid! They will charge fees at any opportunity.

Avoid at all costs

It appears cheap, and you know the saying "cheap is cheap". Then they call you - right after the cool down period- and request more info. Any tiny detail requests them to do a change to your form. I m not talking years of no claim insurance, type of car, where you park it etc, I m talking like getting the month right on your licence but not the day. And they charge a ton of extra money. Adding everything up, they end up being more expensive than top insurers. So yes, cheap is cheap! Reviewed on: 27th June 2022

£50 admin fee, for typing on a computer

My NCB was in its 11th year, but they said I only have 10. They only give a discount upto 9th year. Details needed updated, so they took it as a change of circumstances and applied a admin fee of £50 and £16 for a change of details! Will not use them again!! Reviewed on: 25th June 2022

thieves

they emailed me 3 months after I took out the policy and requested non claims proof and vehicle registration papers and asked me to call them. provided all, while I phoned they asked me for partner's profession. As I said a slightly different title they took it as a change of circumstances and applied a admin fee of £50 and £16 for a change of details!!!!! if i was to cancel the policy, i would have to pay £50 admin fee so will stay with them. however, i will never ever use them again. Reviewed on: 22nd June 2022

Auto renewed my policy at 200%!

Auto renewed my policy at 200%! Because they had sent an email ( that I hadn’t received ) they considered the new policy legally binding. They charged me £70 to cancel it. I told the rep if they waved the £70, I’d happily deal with them again, I’d get a quote from the right there and then! But the taking the £70 from me meant more to them than my business. Unscrupulous, avoid Reviewed on: 22nd June 2022

RIP off company

I had been chang my address and told them I chang my address so their are say will change me 250£ for change the address!! What a joke !! So I been cancle the policy strate way then their are send me I own them money for 17£ But how come !! Their are chang me monthly 1 time 67£ because I haven’t cancle my direct debit so , after their are intimidating me by email will put me to the court if I not pay them !! Unprofessional & Rip off company!! Be careful Reviewed on: 22nd June 2022

Scammers! Avoid at all costs!

Having read the other reviews, I totally agree that this company should be avoided at all costs! Quoted £25 per month which was taken for the first 2 months then month 3 - £65 was taken. They said our proof of 9 years no claims was sent to them in the wrong format, they don't accept a forwarded email we needed to send a screenshot which we did. Month 4 another £65 was taken. They then said they wanted proof of no claims from AXA our last but one insurance company. We sent that. They then said they wanted a letter rom AXA saying that we hadn't made a claim? AXA said that was what the no claims document was. We have this evening been on the telephone (cut off twice), web chat and telephone again for over 4 hours. They now say they want the documentation in PDF format! It's an absolute joke! I feel at a loss? I think I will try and get some advice off the Ombudsman tomorrow. Reviewed on: 21st June 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

Car Insurance
from AA 2.45 from 153 reviews
GAP insurance
from Gapinsure.com 5.00 from 1 reviews
Car Insurance
from Wise Driving 1.38 from 63 reviews

There's still more to see!

1st Central has a range of products available. Check the ratings of each product to find the right one for you. 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