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1st Central: Car insurance reviews

1.52
Based on 949 reviews, last reviewed 12th Feb 2026
100% decrease in 5 star reviews
in the past 90 days
38% increase in 1 star reviews
in the past 90 days
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11%
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5%
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2%
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2%
See only 1 star reviews
80%

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
Matus's avatar
Matus

Latest lowest rating:

1

Claims history being ignored Theyhave received a claims history from previous insurers, which state a single claim in 2023. When I made the application I entered the wrong year, ... Read more Reviewed on: 12th February 2026
Derek Mitchell's avatar
Derek Mitchell

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 (949)

Car insurance

1
It's an unbelievable ,how this company, can exist in England. They have a horrible behaviour with the clients. Are focused to make money at any ways. Best advice:just neglected Reviewed on: 2nd May 2022

No Claims Proof Issues

1
I've never had any issues with 1st Central until it came to obtaining my proof of No Claims discount. Long story cut short, 1st Central admitted to an admin error / glitch which meant the wrong number went on my certificate and after being passed around different departments who each claimed it wasn't their issue, i spoke to Chris today who sorted it out for me (a week after i had originally tried to sort the problem) and explained what had happened. I had been cut off from multiple phonecalls and online chats regarding this issue and almost had my new insurer cancel on me because of this issue. So absolutely awful service in resolving this problem from everyone apart from Chris in Customer Service, he gets 5* and deserves a raise but everyone else needs training on basic jobs such as not cutting off an online chat or call as they don't seem to understand how detrimental a policy being cancelled on you is. Reviewed on: 28th April 2022

Still waiting for repairs 6 months on!

1
1st central car insurance are absolute liars with no care for customers. Had an accident in November and, up to now, they give endless excuses as to why repairs haven't started for a claim they accepted. Raised a complaint via resolver and considering taking them to small claims court as well Reviewed on: 27th April 2022

Dreadful company with a Useless South African call centre .

1
Complete catalogue of problems with my daughters car insurance. Wrong registration number in the first place . Then she was asked to upload V5, driving license, No Claims proof and get a code from DVLA. - not one upload worked on the site. Their Call centre ( which is in South Africa) is hopeless, very difficult to understand them plus they can’t help you at the weekend because ‘policyanalysis’ only works week days. So you can’t get anything changed over the phone. The online account was locked . So completely useless. God knows if it was an accident to report ! My daughter needed to change car details that day. It meant she wouldn’t be able drive to training for a new job. Ended up buying new car insurance from Admiral who were brilliant. Now 1st Central want £95 to cancel ! What a rip off company. Reviewed on: 26th April 2022

Awful company

1
Awful company. Rip off and too focused on making money. Staff are rude too. Reviewed on: 23rd April 2022

Fraudsters

1
Do not use this company lie to you on the phone con people out there money and claims wow if your reading this use another company Reviewed on: 21st April 2022

Worst insurance company

1
Being charged 180 pounds to cancel my policy that's just ridiculous... im disgusted... also huge fees for online changes...AVOID Reviewed on: 20th April 2022

Rip Off

1
Avoid they try to charge you extra after 30days they create small deviation to how you filled out form Reviewed on: 14th April 2022

ROGUE TRADERS

1
This company warrant investigation for dubious practices. It is essential that this company gets referred to the relevant authorities. If you find yourself being subject to 1st Choice dubious practices report them. The more referrals to trading standards, ombudsman etc. Even report them to well known consumer programs put them on the radar. It then cannot be put down to one off experiences. There is nothing transparent about their transaction. You will be fleeced, you will be penalised you will be cornered, you will be intimidated you will be trapped. There mode of operation is to charge for anything and everything and you'll be none the wiser until a payment schedule is posted to you. There is no recourse they will not respond to questions. This company needs to be put out of business. Mr Alexander Hatfield Reviewed on: 2nd April 2022

Extortionate Cancellation Fees

1
Charged £50 for cancellation… five minutes after taking out the policy.. I’m not exaggerating it was five minutes. Customer services said no way of waiving the fee, although he understood it couldn’t be sorted.. can I repeat it was five minutes exactly !! Reviewed on: 1st April 2022

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