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1st Central: Car insurance reviews

Name: Car insurance
Rating: 1.73 (968 reviews)

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1.73

Based on 968 reviews, last reviewed 17th Jul 2026

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

No new 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

11%

80%

Latest highest rating:

5

Just started my third year of car insurance cover wi... Just started my third year of car insurance cover with 1st Central. Good value for money, helpful customer service, clearly laid out website and easy ... Read more Reviewed on: 17th April 2026

Latest lowest rating:

1

Horrendous! Cheaper for a reason.... what a scam!!! Horrendous! After 3 weeks into my insurance with them, they contacted me to say they had increased my mileage a year as they have access to all previo... Read more Reviewed on: 17th July 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 (968)

Affordable Car Insurance

Very affordable car insurance but found haven't been very helpful with issue that haven't been my fault. Reviewed on: 13th May 2020

Avoid...Stay away...

Sometimes is cheaper insurance not at another company,but very very very poor, is not possible get money back from accident access. Reviewed on: 14th April 2020

Appalling service, appalling company, appalling staff. AVOID AVOID AVOID!!!

I recently cancelled my insurance with 1st central as I took my car off the road due to not needing it during the COVID-19 social distancing. They charged me over half the total insurance amount as a cancellation fee and the person on the phone completely ignored me questioning the fees and simply was trying to rush me through the phone call. He was completely unfazed when I said I would never recommend them as a company or use them again and was down right rude ignoring everything I said. Appalling service, appalling company, appalling staff. AVOID AVOID AVOID!!! Reviewed on: 27th March 2020

APPALLING

Absolutely APPALLING customer service Absolutely APPALLING customer service. My policy automatically renewed without my knowledge, the email informing me of automatic renewal sent went straight to spam, and I wasn't aware of the renewal until the confirmation email came through to my inbox (funny how that one didn't go to spam). I called to query this and also, cancel the policy due to having renewed elsewhere already, to be faced with unbelievably rude and arrogant staff. As someone who works for a regulated broker in a compliance role, I know the FCA would not be pleased with how customer services handled my calls. I had the phone put down on me TWICE, was laughed at and although one member of staff accepted my security information, the other couldn't find my policy, and the other said my information was wrong. I asked if calls were recorded, and was told "some are, some aren't, luck of the draw"... Seriously? I was told I would be charged £60 to cancel, although the renewal email came through on a Saturday and their offices were closed, so I could not cancel right away. When I questioned the charge the man I spoke with stated "look, your paying it" even though I never asked for them to deduct the payment, I was nothing but polite and all I did was query why I was being charged, even though the renewal was not agreed upon and I was not notified properly. Surely a phone call is more sufficient when automatically renewing a policy? When I eventually got through to another gentleman and explained my experience and expressed my desire to make a formal complaint, I was told a manager would be in touch and have had no contact since. I will be referring my complaints directly to the Financial Ombudsman. If I had the time to detail each call word for word as a warning to potential customers, I would. All I can do is seriously advise you go elsewhere, this company is horrendous and the staff clearly have not had the appropriate training required to work for an FCA regulated firm. Reviewed on: 28th February 2020

£120 to cancel car insurance after 7 months WHY?

Insurance quote was good £330 for my car even though I am 51yrs old BUT after 7 months paying monthly I sold my car and rang them to cancel before the folowing months payment came out to be told I had to pay £120 in cancellation charges!! £50 admin which is too much just to answer my call and tap a few buttons on their database, £50 cancellation charge which is just another name for the first charge. £20 pro rata for the cover Id already had but as I had paid for that month and we where nearing the next month I was actually giving them the last 5 days for free.. These charges are grossly unfair and where not explained upon taking up the car insurance online!!! Reviewed on: 29th January 2020

Terrible

Incompetant and awful. Avoid this company. Reviewed on: 23rd December 2019

Cheap insurance but very happy to squeeze out money the other way...

At first glance the quote appears to be a really good deal. All is well until you try to change your policy details... even 9 days before the renewal. The lady on the phone was nice enough but it was difficult to understand and she did not understand correctly at all time what was said. At the end, they charged me short of £60 for address change to the policy and a couple of other small changes. I am still struggling to find this charges on their policy = £30 or maybe £35 would be fair. Total rip off and needless to say will not be renewing with them. She also confirmed if I called a week later to renew, they would not charge me! Thanks for nothing! Reviewed on: 17th November 2019

Go Elsewhere

Have been with First Central for some years with a one year break inbetween. Premiums have always been competitive when I've bothered to check. They've auto renewed my policy so I don't have to do a thing. The only way to cancel your policy is to call them. I have a letter stating that. Imagine my surprise in May when I was stopped by the police for driving with no insurance! It had lapsed by two months. First Central say they sent me a new quote of which I'm still to see the evidence. In regards to the auto renew, no response. So I'm now on a 6month driving ban and a £600 fine. Thank you First Central I couldn't recommend you enough.... Not!!! Reviewed on: 22nd October 2019

Great customer service

Amazing people over the phone no issues so far quick response from them. Reviewed on: 9th September 2019

Added benefits

With 1st central you get loads of added benefits whether its money of or e-vouchers how can you go wrong with that Reviewed on: 6th September 2019

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