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)

Horrendous customer service

Avoid this company at all costs. Rude and unhelpful staff. Ludicrous fees and hidden charges. Reviewed on: 22nd February 2019

STAY AWAY- INCOMPETENT AND JUST SEEM TO WANT TO RIP YOU OFF

As soon as I needed to make a change things started to go wrong. Wanted to charge me almost double for changing to a slightly older less powerful car, clearly no more risk than the other. I took up a new policy with them again and got a better deal so accepted the cancellation fee for the old one as I had little choice. Since beginning the new policy, they have sent me email after email demanding documents which I kept sending over and over (Proof Of No Claims, (which had been with them anyway) proof of address, driving licence) accusing me of some kind of fraud.This has gone on for 3 weeks now. I must have sent the same things 10 times each, each time I just get threatening automated emails saying they will cancel my policy and charge £75 for doing so . I feel like they try and find things or leave things hanging so they can charge you the fees. They seem to be all about the fees, which is why perhaps their initial premium quote is the cheapest online. I still haven't resolved this with them and to be honest feel so stressed about it all. I would definitely not recommend them. Reviewed on: 1st February 2019

Bad service, hidden charges

Never again, hidden charges for everything, never answer emails, their the cheapest on line for a reason, do not fulfil their promises. Take my advise go anywhere else Reviewed on: 18th January 2019

Never again

1st Central is a disaster not an insurance company. Unlike the other reviewers I had to deal with this company regarding an actual problem. Liars and deceivers. Using clauses against you that are nowhere to be found in your policy. If they don't want to deal with you anymore, their are allowed to block your number for no reason, so that you can't call them again. And there is no other mean of contacting them. I filed a complaint - even that's been ignored. This company is a disaster, never again. Wouldn't recommend 1st central to my worst enemy. If you are thinking of buying their insurance, don't, for your own sake. It's like standing in front of a thief and voluntarily giving him a big sum of money. He will not only steal your money but he will also beat you up and run away with no consequences - that's how I was treated. Reviewed on: 17th January 2019

Good Work

Great customer service and value for money Reviewed on: 13th January 2019

Good company

Good to deal with never had any issues, bearing in mind I have not made a claim so I can't say how smooth that would be. But all in all my experience was good. Reviewed on: 12th January 2019

Quiet until something changes. Then they attack your wallet

Needed to add my wife onto policy. They refused. Even though she is 38 with no record of any claims or offences. So all I could do was cancel my policy to revert to another. They then have the nerve to charge cancellation fees. Even though I paid all insurance annually upfront. Won't be using 1st Central again. That is for sure. Reviewed on: 8th January 2019

Avoid Policy Changes

AVOID POLICY CHANGES Their business model is to make PROFIT FROM FEES, rather than fair premiums and happy repeat custom. My wife changed her vehicle from a 2012 Golf Gti 35 Edition (no claims) to a 2014 Volvo XC60. The market dictated the premium should have fallen for the XC60, BUT not at 1st Central. Their 'goodbye' quote was almost double the Golf at £840. Surprise, surprise, we were indirectly FORCED to cancel and they pocket a £50 arrangement (just past 14 days from renewal) fee AND £50 cancelation fee for no risk. Their customer service (I use the term loosely) stooge was rude and opened and closed my complaint case in the same minute and referred the debt to their collection thugs. We moved to Quotemehappy for £370. Reviewed on: 1st December 2018

They are cool.

Fast and reliable.Corespondence is also worth complementing Reviewed on: 21st November 2018

Great company

I have used 1st central for a few years now, they are always friendly and helpful over the phone Reviewed on: 9th November 2018

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 (discontinued)
from Staysure 5.00 from 1 reviews
Bike Insurance
from Swinton Insurance 2.30 from 11 reviews
Breakdown Cover
from RescueMyCar 2.33 from 2 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