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1st Central: Car Insurance reviews

Name: Car Insurance
Rating: 1.68 (857 reviews)

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1.52

Based on 857 reviews, last reviewed 23rd Jan 2025

100% decrease in 5 star reviews

in the past 90 days

24% 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

Will increase policy Started my policy they then asked me for more information I provided said information they then hit me with an increase and an admin fee which resulte... Read more Reviewed on: 23rd January 2025

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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 (857)

Review of the 1st Central, Car Insurance:

Took out policy.

Took out policy. An error was made on our behalf but customer services accused me of committing fraud. Then told me I would not owe them any money once policy was cancelled and then sent an invoice. Unable to speak to anyone on the phone and emails are bounced back. AVOID this company at all costs. Reviewed on: 3rd December 2024

Reply from 1st Central Hi Alison, We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. Let’s see if we can help put this right for you. Just give our team a call on 0333 043 2095. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 9am to 5pm. Ashley Response date: 4th December 2024

Scam, Worst Customer Service Ever

I recently had a disappointing experience with 1st Central Insurance, and I feel compelled to share my frustration to warn others. I was in the process of shopping around for car insurance and obtained a quote from 1st Central. However, I ultimately decided to go with a different insurance provider due to better coverage and pricing elsewhere. To my shock, I discovered that 1st Central had charged me an "arrangement fee" for a policy that I hadn't even started. This is outrageous! Why should I be penalised for not proceeding with a policy? They claimed that this fee was for including my details on an insurance database, a service that other reputable companies provide without charging a fee. What's even more frustrating is that this sneaky charge wasn't clearly disclosed upfront. It's buried deep in their terms and conditions, which most people don't bother to read in detail. It feels like a deceptive practice aimed at squeezing extra money out of customers. I reached out to their customer service team to express my dissatisfaction, but they simply brushed me off, citing their terms and conditions. There was no empathy or willingness to address my concerns. I urge anyone considering 1st Central Insurance to proceed with caution. Don't fall for their seemingly competitive quotes without carefully scrutinizing the fine print. Their lack of transparency and willingness to nickel-and-dime customers for services that should be standard is appalling. I'll certainly be taking my business elsewhere, and I advise others to do the same. Buyer beware! Reviewed on: 26th March 2024

RUN!! Scammers

Firstly, upon having an accident was only given a fraction of the cars value, which then took them over 4 weeks to pay me. Leaving me with ni money to purchase a new car, so I couldn't get to work.When i evenutslly got a new car, i was told the montly price was £84 to then be slammed with a £120 bill each month. I complained over 8 weeks ago now and have been lied to each time about when they will resolve it. I now have my legal team involved!! AVOID LIKE THE PLAUGE Reviewed on: 19th March 2024

Beware online buyers!

Car insurance bought online and cancelled within 24 hours of taking it out (and well before the policy was due to start). This incurred a £50 charge that was apparently mentioned. I thought this was illegal practice, but apparently a company can change a "small" administration fee. Not sure how "small" is defined, but they have just lost one customer for life. Angry and upset. Reviewed on: 18th March 2024

Avoid, premium increase and admin fees

Very similar experience to a lot of other customers. 1st Central lure you in with an initially cheap price. Once the cooling off period has finished, they'll find tiny discrepancies in your policy. For example, car purchase price being out by a few days. They then increase the premium and charge a £50 admin fee. Avoid as it's not just money, it's the hassle of dealing with them Reviewed on: 17th March 2024

Poor customer service

Hello, I canceled my insurance with this company. The reason is that every time I call them, the cut the line for no reason. When I canceled my insurance with them, they asked me for 192 The worst company. I do not advise anyone to insure with these companies Reviewed on: 12th March 2024

Scam unhelpful avoid at all costs

After paying through the roof for insurance policy I had to make a claim for an accident that wasn’t my fault provided them with dash cam footage they still haven’t declared it as not at fault claim I’ve asked to cancel my claim after this experience and after being told that my car is a write off even though I had it valued at £7500 and the cost of repairs from a garage for £220. They came to this conclusion after not even looking at my car and not asking to see pictures. They then said that I had no choice but to accept total loss. I ended up hanging up on the call because they would not let me proceed in any other direction. They have also said it will affect my no claims even though I have paid for no claims protection and I wasn’t at fault either. Should never have made a claim in the first place but that’s the point of having insurance not even sure what I’m paying for. Have raised a complaint had no helpful response other than that they were following their policies. Absolute rubbish! Please avoid!!! Reviewed on: 11th March 2024

Doubled the cost of my policy, scam artists!

Terrible experience, scam artists! after paying for my policy in full they then doubled the amount of my policy (which equated to half the cost of my car). I have held my licence for 13 years i am not an inexperienced driver. I had communicated several time via email however just got automated responses, requested calls back on multiple occasions which were ignored. I couldn't cancel or amend the policy until I paid double what they quoted, despite my numerous attempts at communication that was ignored however they emailed me about my "debts". When I called and eventually spoke to someone to see what solutions there were they advised i can cancel my policy they advised i would still be liable for the arrangement fee of £50 (even though i had advised i would stay with them) and they also charge a cancellation fee on top of that of £50. so i have paid £100 admin fee for an awful service. Reviewed on: 5th March 2024

Misleading- do not buy

Before taking the policy out I read the policy details and it indicated that I met the criteria to drive other insured cars third party. There is nowhere to check that is the case on the site as there is with other insurers such as Admiral. The second I got my policy documents (15:06) I contacted them to check this, they didn’t cover me for this and won’t allow me to add this on. So I requested to cancel immediately, I am told that despite it being set up minutes earlier I would be charged £50 and for the days cover. I asked for discretion as this seems absurd, it had been mere minutes and I obviously hadn’t driven anywhere, and apparently the manager whose name Tamzine refused to give me, declined this. This is absurd. Please do not buy from these cowboys, mislead you into buying something. Also advertise as having no cancellation fees within 14 days but make no mention that you have to pay £50 to cancel anyways under the guise of an ‘arrangement fee’. Reviewed on: 4th March 2024

Started my policy in Feb 2023, got sent automatic re...

Started my policy in Feb 2023, got sent automatic renewal in Feb 2024. Decided to get rid of my diesel bmw before renewal. Asked for a quote for my new car for the remainder of my policy. Got charged £100, then got renewed price through and it was £16000!!! Rang them and cancelled, got charged £25. Kept getting renewed emails for my old car saying they will automatically renew after I had cancelled. Cancelled my policy online 5 DAYS before end of policy, then lost 1 year off the policy. Should have 5 years NCD only got 4 because I cancelled before the end of the policy by 5 days. There was no warning anywhere which said I would lose 1 year because I cancelled. Appalling customer service. Avoid this company like the plague. I feel fortunate that I didn’t have to make a claim. Imagine that!!! Reviewed on: 27th February 2024

Avoid lol

Got my insurance for a cheap price. They randomly cancelled my insurance no warning. And then blamed it on me not registering the other drivers even tho I wasn’t given instructions to do so. I spoke to customer service and just replied “alright anything else that I can help you with” after doing nothing at all Reviewed on: 23rd February 2024

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