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1st Central: Car insurance reviews

Name: Car insurance
Rating: 1.66 (942 reviews)

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1.51

Based on 942 reviews, last reviewed 29th Dec 2025

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

13% increase in 1 star reviews

in the past 90 days

12%

79%

Latest highest rating:

5

Good and not too expensive Was looking for good value car insurance and found this one. Not too expensive and so far can’t say anything bad. Very easy to sign up. Reviewed on: 5th September 2025

Latest lowest rating:

1

This company is scamming people out of money. This company is scamming people out of money. They use illicit abhorrent techniques to force changes to the information you have provided and make up ... Read more Reviewed on: 29th December 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 (942)

Good service

Bought car insurance recently got a good price and the customer service was good. Reviewed on: 30th May 2017

Excellent all round

Fantastic service from a reputable company Reviewed on: 29th May 2017

horrible company

had an policy with them last year received an email about a month before my policy expire that will get another one with a new quote instead just got an email eight days before the end of my policy stating that my policy has been renewed and money has been taken !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had no idea how much or anything else when rang them long waiting time on hold and then they said we could renew your policy, also lied about being in contact with me over a phone DON NOT INSURE WITH THEM RUDE HORRIBLE PEOPLE Reviewed on: 22nd May 2017

Would avoid at all costs

1 st Central is the worst car insurance provider ever. Constantly being kept on hold for over 25 minutes. I have a 1.3 litre car which I'm currently paying £173 per month and it's due for renewal at the end of this month. My new car insurance price with them is £195 per month with my 2 years no claims (absolute rip off). I have looked elsewhere and have found cheaper insurance elsewhere for almost half the price of what I'm already paying. Would avoid this company at all costs and wouldn't recommend this company to anyone. Reviewed on: 4th May 2017

Cheap but not cheerful

I have cheap car insurance with 1st Central. This includes breakdown cover. The company themselves are quite distant and finding information when I needed it was not as easy as it could have been. The price was low, but sadly the key necessities of a good deal are often pay-for extras. I have needed recovery twice from within a mile of my home during the policy and as this is not covered, I have had to fork out. While I understand that this was an add-on, other companies would have included it. The company needs some improvement and perhaps a little more publicity. Reviewed on: 1st May 2017

Very easy to complete policy

Very helpful staff, great products to choose from. Great customer service too Reviewed on: 24th April 2017

car insurance

easy to use, brilliant price.. will do defo be insuring again Reviewed on: 7th April 2017

Fabulous

Great prices, really helpful and pleasant staff. Would recommend Reviewed on: 5th April 2017

Motor Insurance and Personal Accident

Excellent service and professionalism. Courteous, friendly and very helpful. Quick response, help and advise. Highly recommended Reviewed on: 10th March 2017

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

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