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1st Central: Car insurance reviews

Name: Car insurance
Rating: 1.67 (903 reviews)

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1.51

Based on 903 reviews, last reviewed 17th Jun 2025

400% increase in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

20% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

12%

79%

Latest highest rating:

5

Found you online,needed a cheap quote,you certainly... Found you online,needed a cheap quote,you certainly provided it.Thank you Reviewed on: 3rd June 2025

Verified source

Latest lowest rating:

1

It feels dishonest and manipulative!! Avoid them!! I initially received a quote over the phone, which I agreed to, and even got a confirmation email with the agreed amount. Later, I received another em... Read more Reviewed on: 17th June 2025

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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 (903)

NEVER EVER INSURE WITH THIS COMPANY!

I called to make a claim, the person I originally spoke to put me on hold for so long when they were looking to check cover was in force, by the time they came back on the phone to confirm there was cover it was too late to make a formal claim as I ran out of time during my lunch 'hour'. I called again in an evening and was then told my claim was not insured, again I was put on hold, I had to read them their own policy wording, before then being told I could claim (there should be no question considering my policy is fully comprehensive). Once that hurdle was over I asked who the approved repairer was, to then be told I couldn't use an approved repairer. When I asked why they said it was because it wasn't an RTA (it was accidental damage to the vehicle), I asked where in the policy wording it said I couldn't use an approved repairer and they couldn't answer me. They advised that managers didn't work in the evening but one would call me back the next day to advise further. The next day came and went without a phone call. I called myself the following day, the manager looking in to the case was at lunch so a message was emailed to them to call on their return. Two hours later I still heard nothing so had to call again. I still didn't speak to said manager but I was told an approved repair could now be used, however my husband needed to call them and make a conference call with the DVLA to verify his license as the driver at the time of incident (apparently this is normal protocol with every claim) he called the same day and went through verification. I received an email to say we would have the approved repairers details no later than Monday. In the meantime we received a letter acknowledging we did not want to claim??? Very confused I called insurers, who said it had been sent in error. During this phone call I was told the license verification was outstanding, I said you must be mistaken this was done previously as requested. The person I spoke to said they would have to listen to previous calls as the verification had not been noted on the file (more time wasted). At this point I asked to make a complaint as I had no confidence in the company, that I was highly concerned that they were turning away claims that are covered under the policy and the sheer lack of customer service. I was told someone will be back in touch. Monday arrived, by 9pm I had still heard nothing about the approved repairer. I called and was told they were the out of hours team, they said they couldn't talk to me because my husband is the policyholder, this is despite me calling several times previously and reporting the initial claim. So my husband confirmed they could talk to me... I then asked who the approved repairer is. They said the file shows as being on hold and I would have to call yet again in the morning for further details. Mickey Mouse company, the saga continues.... Reviewed on: 6th February 2017

Scam company. Hidden extra charges

They charged me £84 just to change to a new car, then created confusion over installments and cancelled the policy. After a lot of instistence they reinstated the policy. I would have prefered to gone elsewhere but had already paid £84 which they refused to return. I won't be using them when this policy runs out! Reviewed on: 30th January 2017

Does what it needs to

My experience is largely online based, but the process of setting up, managing and renewing my car insurance has been so easy. Live their rewards and offers too. Reviewed on: 15th January 2017

Feeling conned by this company.

I took out insurance with 1st Central as they had a decent price and seemed to have decent ratings online. The first red flag should have been when I had to re-enter my details to get a new quote as my original quote had locked me out from purchase and they couldn't tell me why. It turns out the quote you get with them lasts only a day and therefore it had become invalid, so I had to do an entire new quote. I then received an email for someone else, with their personal information, telling me that my policy wasn't valid, except it wasn't my policy number so I had to contact them to correct this mistake and all seemed fine. I then had to contact them as an accident had occurred that wasn't my fault. Two cars had collided on my street and my parked car was hit. I contacted them to inform them the 3rd party was taking responsibility and that was fine. While I was on the phone I had to advise them that as well as being a full-time student I had obtained a part-time job. There seemed to be a problem with this as I was put on hold for 20 minutes. The person who i spoke to informed me that because I was now working part-time my policy no longer met the criteria to be insured by the company and that my policy would have to be cancelled. I advised that I was still a student and got a job to make some extra money, but that I wouldn't be using the car for commuting. I was baffled by the brick wall they put up in terms of communication, continually stating that, because I had a job they would have to cancel my policy. Needless to say I was extremely angry and unsatisfied so I demanded to speak to a manager, which they refused, repeating the same line over and over. They then charged me for having to have my policy cancelled and stated I'd be getting a refund, missing £100 of my original quote, for only 17 days of cover. I have now had to quickly arrange new insurance which had ended up costing me an extra £120. I would strongly advise you not to use this insurance company as I believe they bring people in with low cost quotes and make it very difficult to maintain your policy if you have any changes to make. Please spread the word to anyone considering taking a policy with them. Reviewed on: 19th November 2016

Avoid!

Terrible customer service! I was calling 3 times to renew my policy and they still didn't do this! I must buy new one. Then they blocked my account and sent me an e-mail, that they need proof of my address, driving licence, second driver driving licence and other documents from almost 10 years! Everytime the same message "We will cancell if you not...". Just avoid! Reviewed on: 31st October 2016

rip off merchants

Was supposed to be quited 813 pounds i relocated 10 minutes down the road to a new address the quote increased by 400 quid to 1200, absolute rip off, 3 years no claims no motoring conviction and 0 points on my licence no idea how they can justify a quote like this, scum bag company Reviewed on: 24th October 2016

Great service

Could not ask for a better insurance company got me on the road within mins to problems at all Reviewed on: 20th October 2016

Avoid At All Cost's Scammers Whom Rip You Off

took out insurance as they were the cheapest They Started my policy 2 weeks earlier not on the date i said i declared i had 1 fault accident in last 10 years This morning they took 170 from my account out of the blue as they said i did not declare the accident i declared bear in mind was not to start to 24/10/16. phoned them up man was really obnoxious and said well what u want me to do about it. ?????? Luckily i record all important conversations from the start even ask the name of person im talking to etc date and time. re phoned and they said they will refund as i have now cancelled with no fees .... so will have to wait... to top it all put me overdrawn so now paying bank fees. Update 4 NOV 2016 Bank waved all fees and 1st insurance after hours of continually calling gave me a full refund so happy now Reviewed on: 19th October 2016

Great value and easy to use

I received an email from 1St central as had been a customer in the past, they offered a discount if I came back to them. Went on a well known price comparison web-sites then half heartily took them up on their offer to try them..... they beat the comparison website prices, wish I had tried them first, and they made it really easy to take out a policy... Thanks guys. Reviewed on: 19th October 2016

Happy with the company's offer

Only a week with 1 st Central. happy with the offer so far ! Hope it all goes smoothly for the whole period ! Reviewed on: 16th October 2016

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