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1st Central: Car insurance reviews

Name: Car insurance
Rating: 1.86 (975 reviews)

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1.86

Based on 975 reviews, last reviewed 23rd Aug 2026

300% increase in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

83% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

12%

80%

Latest highest rating:

5

I have rac joint to my policy, had a breakdown at ho... I have rac joint to my policy, had a breakdown at home and the rac arrived very quickly. Reviewed on: 23rd August 2026

Latest lowest rating:

1

Absolutely terrible It is hard to describe my experience with this company than anything other than an absolute clown show. Since starting my policy on July 29th, I have... Read more Reviewed on: 17th August 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 (975)

Terrible company

The first issue was, they took money from my account, for the monthly payment, then bounced it back in and claimed I hadn't paid, (there was money in the account, even checked with bank via the phone) so they charged me a late fee... And wouldn't rectify the issue, with awfully rude staff. Stupidly I came back for a second policy with them, being they were the cheapest. Customer service as I say, sadly are so rude and blunt. They don't accept changes for modifications, even though it's there written in the policy changed, with a drop down box to select the changes. Please do not bother with this company! Pay a little extra. Reviewed on: 23rd August 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Jessica, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. If there’s anything you’d like us to look into for you, please contact us by sending an email to [email protected]. Please include your policy number and details of what’s gone wrong, and we’ll see if we can put things right. Ashley Response date: 1st September 2025

no policy document provided

paid for car insurance at the beginning of August and as of today, 22nd August,have received no policy documents either by post or email,despite asking for them. Is this company real or are they scammers? Reviewed on: 22nd August 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi aanwrh, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. These documents would've been emailed to you the day you purchased the policy and would be visible in Your Account. Please check your spam folder in your email account also. If you still haven't seen them, please speak to us on 0333 043 2066 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm. Thanks for choosing 1st Central this year. Ashley Response date: 1st September 2025

Absolutely terrible experience.

Absolutely terrible experience. I had an accident that was never properly investigated. Despite me reporting it to the police and even providing CCTV footage, the company showed no interest whatsoever. They didn’t review the images of my vehicle damage, never contacted me about the progress of my claim, and simply assumed the accident was my fault—even though the other driver caused the collision and is now facing charges for their poor driving. I now have to attend a trial without any support or communication from my own insurer. Completely unacceptable service. Avoid this company at all costs. Reviewed on: 16th August 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Eve, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. Let’s see if we can help put this right for you. Just give our team a call on 0333 043 2022 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 9am to 6pm. Ashley Response date: 1st September 2025

Easy to apply, easily understandable

Easy to apply, easily understandable Reviewed on: 11th August 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hello, Thank you for your review and for choosing 1st Central this year for your car insurance. Ashley Response date: 12th August 2025

DO NOT USE THEM!!

Worse experience of my life, no communication, the staff do not understand their customers!! Reviewed on: 6th August 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Stacy, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. Let’s see if we can help put this right for you. Just give our team a call on 0333 043 2066 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm. Ashley Response date: 8th August 2025

quote changed from £500 to £750 in a week

I tried to add my daughter to my car insurance and was quoted £503. A week later we agreed to add her and I tried several times to contact the insurance which took all day, and when we got through and said we would like to go ahead they said the price was now £750 I asked why and they said they didnt know Just daylight robbery no need for it Reviewed on: 30th July 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Gary, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. The price of insurance is rated on a daily basis, so if a quote isn't accepted on the day, this could change. This is due to underwriting criteria, and we do advise this when a quote is run. We’ll use your comments to help improve our service. Ashley Response date: 1st August 2025

You think you’re getting a good deal with a cheap pr...

You think you’re getting a good deal with a cheap price but they do that to get your card details then they invent reasons to change your policy and charge fees higher than the cost of the entire annual amount. Pay a bit more and avoid scams. Reviewed on: 25th July 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Claire, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear about your experience with us. All details on the policy impact the price of the policy we offer, if details are found to be incorrect we need to update them and this can impact the price of the policy. If you’d like to speak to the team about this process, please give us a call on 0333 043 2095. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm. Ashley Response date: 28th July 2025

USE AT YOUR OWN PERIL

took out policy 305 pounds , policy was cancelled by 1st CENTRAL after 78 days then told me i owe them a total of 410 pounds and then set law company after me .DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT USING THEM , CHEAP QUOTE THEN TRY TO SCARE YOU TO PAY . Reviewed on: 23rd July 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi T M, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. If there’s anything you’d like us to look into for you, please contact us by sending an email to [email protected]. Please include your policy number and details of what’s gone wrong, and we’ll see if we can put things right. Ashley Response date: 25th July 2025

Went on line, got a quote filled in the relevant for...

Went on line, got a quote filled in the relevant forms , then asked for my bank details they took all this information and right at the end they said they where unable to accept the policy . In that case why did they take my bank details ! Be very wary especially with all the on line fraud that occurs these days. Phoned them up after an hour of being on hold was answered by someone who could not explain reasons for this . Will inform all family and friends to stay well away !!! Reviewed on: 16th July 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi John, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. We're not able to insure all customers, so we're sorry we weren't able to insure you this year. We are governed by our underwriters, so wouldn't be advised why we can't insure some custoemrs. These rules can change, so hopefully we can insure you in the future. Ashley Response date: 17th July 2025

Absolute highway robbery, after opening a new car in...

Absolute highway robbery, after opening a new car insurance policy they waited 32 days (4 days after your legal right to change your mind) to tell me it was going to increase by £280 or face a £131 cancellation fee. When I disputed this on the phone the lady told me to pay or in 7 days there will be debt collectors knocking at my door. DO NOT GIVE THESE PEOPLE ANYTHING! Reviewed on: 8th July 2025

Reply from 1st Central Hi Aidan, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear about your experience with us. All details on the policy impact the price of the policy we offer, if details are found to be incorrect we need to update them and this can impact the price of the policy. If you’d like to speak to the team about this process, please give us a call on 0333 043 2095. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm. Ashley Response date: 9th July 2025

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