Write a review

1st Central: Car Insurance reviews

Name: Car Insurance
Rating: 1.68 (862 reviews)

View other 1st Central products

1.51

Based on 862 reviews, last reviewed 11th Feb 2025

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

32% 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

Seems that's it's not just me experiencing the same... Seems that's it's not just me experiencing the same thing. I just read this review. The same think happened to me. Sadly, it's quite common with this ... Read more Reviewed on: 11th February 2025

Read all reviews See your 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.

1st Central Car Insurance reviews (862)

Review of the 1st Central, Car Insurance:

I had a policy with 1st Central three years ago, an...

I had a policy with 1st Central three years ago, and my experience was terrible, as I outlined in a review back then. Unfortunately, I feel compelled to write another review because a month ago, they started harassing me for a payment that I had already paid in full three years ago. Initially, I thought the letters were a scam because the policy was settled, and I had no outstanding balance. However, I then received a court letter demanding payment. Since then, I have been desperately trying to get an explanation from 1st Central. After multiple calls, they themselves admitted verbally that I had paid the amount in full and that they didn’t understand why their system said I owed money. Despite this acknowledgment, 1st Central referred me to JC International Acquisition to deal with the matter. This company is impossible to contact—I have called over 100 times, left voice messages, sent emails, and submitted forms, all without any meaningful response. When I finally got a short reply, they told me they couldn’t help and had referred my case to BW Legal. When I contacted BW Legal, they told me they couldn’t do anything and that I needed to speak with JC International Acquisition. This back-and-forth between companies has been exhausting and stressful, all because of 1st Central’s error. 1st Central now refuses to provide my payment history, likely because they are aware they made a mistake. They have locked my file and refuse to give me any further information. For a policy that was active three years ago and canceled after just two weeks due to their lack of transparency, I now find myself in this frustrating and unnecessary situation. I have proof, including bank statements, showing that I paid every penny. I am prepared to go to court over this. This company has been sending me in endless circles, causing immense stress, and their refusal to resolve the issue is appalling. Based on my experiences, both three years ago and now, I can only describe this company as untrustworthy and a scam. Avoid them at all costs. Reviewed on: 22nd December 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Suzi, 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. We would like to look into this further for you to help resolve this, please send an email to [email protected] with your policy number a summary of your experience similar to your review and we will look into it. Ashley Response date: 27th December 2024

Great First Impression

I haven't had to claim yet and I hope I don't have to but the process to apply was easy and their website is excellent. Reviewed on: 9th June 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hello, Thank you for your review and for choosing 1st Central this year for your car insurance. Ashley Response date: 10th June 2024

Took out a policy via comparison site to start today...

Took out a policy via comparison site to start today, when confirmation can't through, they put start date as 8th not 3rd. Phoned thinking it would be an easy fix, nope. Told me the system won't allow it. I would have to cancel, £50 admin fee, they would hold onto my money already paid for ten days, and I would have to pay another £250 today to start another policy. Explained it was their mistake - Faith told me they have never made this mistake! Absolute scammers, my car is lying outside in the city with no insurance, the day after I passed my test. Made a happy occasion an absolute nightmare. Please do not use them. Reviewed on: 4th June 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hello, 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. We’ll use your comments to help improve our service and training for our agents. Ashley Response date: 5th June 2024

Pleasure

It was a great pleasure to have the opportunity to collaborate with this insurance company. They have a good value for money and a great management. Reviewed on: 2nd June 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Ecaterina, Thank you for your review and for choosing 1st Central this year for your car insurance. Ashley Response date: 3rd June 2024

Affordable

Great affordable car insurance can’t go wrong Reviewed on: 30th May 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Kelsey, Thank you for your review and for choosing 1st Central this year for your car insurance. Ashley Response date: 31st May 2024

Cheap insurance with great benefits

Have yet to actually make a claim but cheap insurance with great benefits Reviewed on: 21st May 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Elle, Thank you for your review and for choosing 1st Central this year for your car insurance. Ashley Response date: 22nd May 2024

Stay away from these

I have had a policy with these for few years. Changed to a new car today. Tried to call them, after multiple messages to say press 1 for this or 2 for that, a message said you can save on admin fees to change your car through your account portal. So logged in, went to the part to change the car, gave a price of just over £35 per month this matched other quotes I had received. Based on this I went ahead. Then found that the new instalments were going to be over £75 per month. Then had to call them to see what has gone wrong. Nothing had gone wrong, I was advised by the guy that prices can change, I mention that this had only been a matter of minutes, to which I got nothing. They now want to charge me £150 to cancel. I have cancelled, if they take try to take the money, we will be going to court. DO NOT USE THESE CON ARTISTS I will be leaving this review everywhere I can find. Also reporting them to any governing body I can find Reviewed on: 3rd May 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Nick, 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 would like to look into this further for you to help resolve this, please send an email to [email protected] with your policy number a summary of your experience similar to your review and we will look into it. Ashley Response date: 22nd May 2024

Stay clear of this company.

Will never use again, went to cancel my policy and they wanted £116 which I cannot afford. This included the cancellation fee of £50. The £50 I would understand but not the rest. They are just money grabbing and very poor customer service. Reviewed on: 28th April 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Jess, 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 advise of the £50 cancellation fee when a policy is being set up. The remaining balance will be made of time on cover and interest. We have this FAQ that goes in to some details on this - https://help.1stcentralinsurance.com/kb/FAQ/content/PROD-7744/If-my-car-policy-is-cancelled-why-do-I-still-owe-money-to-1st-CENTRAL?query=why%20do%20i%20owe. Ashley Response date: 22nd May 2024

BEWARE THE AUTO RENEWAL!!

By law, you have a minimum 14-day cooling-off period during which you can cancel the policy for any reason. Imagine how upset I am that these haven't contacted me with a quote, sought the appropriate approval to debit my account, and then refused to return my payment. WHEN I DONT EVEN OWN THE CAR ANYMORE!! Reviewed on: 16th April 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Steve, 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 us to look into this further for you, please give us a call on 0333 043 2095. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm. Ashley Response date: 22nd May 2024

BE WARRY OF 1stCentral Insurance!

Attention Potential Customers Attention Potential Customers: Exercise extreme caution when considering 1stCentral Insurance.!!!! Due to an small mistake on my part, where I accidentally reported the wrong month for an accident (May instead of June), my policy was cancelled. I was even charged for cancellation! While I acknowledge my error, the severity of their response has left me facing unexpected financial hardship. Now, I am facing increased premiums and difficulties in finding a new policy because of the cancellation on my record. It is unfair that a simple error should lead to such harsh consequences. It's clear that their priority lies in maximizing charges rather than offering fair and accurate service. I strongly advise looking into other insurers who value fairness and accuracy in their client dealings! Reviewed on: 10th April 2024

Took my car for the minor repair to AD Williams, the...

Took my car for the minor repair to AD Williams, the third part insurance supposed to pay everything due to his fault ,upon my arrival to collect my car AD Williams handed me the bill of £250!I called First Central Customer Service trying to get a reasonable explanation. Poor grasp of english and inpatient answers made my experience appalling!!!The damage was the side mirror, so small i was expecting FC will it cover all with out the question.. wondering how much would’ve paid if the damage was bigger????Anyway who ever going through all this reviews don’t need to be a f….Einstein to figure out what kind of the company we deal with. Overall a completely rubbish service !! Reviewed on: 9th April 2024

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 Leisuredays 4.95 from 1928 reviews
Car Insurance
from Zurich 2.50 from 7 reviews
Car Insurance
from Hastings Direct 3.08 from 642 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