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1st Central reviews

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Rated Poor 1.54/5

1st Central reviews

Verified business
Last reviewed within 7 days

Review summary

People rate this company as Poor based on 872 product reviews

Average score of 1.54/5
5 star
13%
4 star
6%
3 star
2%
2 star
2%
1 star
77%
Reviews for 1st Central have trended negatively over the past 90 days

Latest positive rating

5/5

Very professional and helpful when needed

Very professional and helpful when needed

Latest negative rating

1/5

STAY AWAY THEY CAN NOT BE TRUSTED!!!

I recently had an incredibly frustrating experience with 1st Central Car Insurance that I feel compelled to share. From start to finish, the service was... I recently had an incredibly frustrating experience with 1st Central Car Insurance that I feel compelled to share. From start to finish, the service was appalling, with a series of lies, unprofessional behaviour, and unnecessary charges. First and foremost, I was left speechless when they ended the phone call on me not once, but twice. Despite being promised a call back, no one ever reached out to follow up. It’s clear they have no regard for their customers’ time or concerns. The lies told by the representatives were downright infuriating. Every time I spoke with someone, the information I received seemed to contradict what was said previously. I was given conflicting details about policy changes and cancellation fees, which left me completely confused and frustrated. Speaking of the cancellation fees, I was charged an outrageous £50 to cancel the policy. However, when I checked their website, it clearly stated the cancellation fee should be £35. This inconsistency only added to my frustration, especially since I was given no explanation for the higher charge. The situation became even more ridiculous when my son switched jobs from an Admin Assistant to a Sales Executive. For this small change, 1st Central increased his policy by a shocking £848. It’s hard to understand how a job title change could result in such a massive price hike, especially when no substantial risk factor was added. The lack of professionalism continued when I spoke with a manager who was not helpful in resolving the issue. Not only did they insist on seeing my son’s contract as proof of his job, but they also requested a payslip. Who asks for a payslip to make a policy adjustment? It’s not something any reasonable insurer would demand. This level of scrutiny was completely unnecessary. To top it all off, 1st Central made numerous mistakes on their end throughout this process. From incorrect information to errors in how they handled the policy details, it became clear that this company is disorganised and untrustworthy. I would never recommend 1st Central to anyone looking for reliable and professional car insurance. Their customer service is abysmal, their pricing is unreasonable, and they don’t care about resolving issues or treating customers fairly. Avoid them at all costs. Read more Read less

{"display":"Malik","full_name":"Malik","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
Car Insurance
Malik 17th December 2024

About 1st Central

1st Central insurance are a UK Car insurance provider which launched in 2008 based in Haywards Heath.

Are you looking for the perfect car insurance to keep you on the road? Our 1st Central car insurance reviews can help you decide if it’s the right option for you.

If you’re considering taking out an insurance policy with 1st Central, check out our reviews first. Discover which insurance policies 1st Central policyholders have and how satisfied they've been so far. Learn more about the benefits of being a 1st Central member. All of this and more can be found in our 1st Central reviews.

Smart Money People is the place for 1st Central reviews. Read and write reviews to help increase trust and transparency in Financial Services.

1st Central at a glance

Reviews for 1st Central

Showing 11 of 872 company reviews Last reviewed within 7 days

STAY AWAY THEY CAN NOT BE TRUSTED!!!

Car Insurance 17th December 2024

I recently had an incredibly frustrating experience with 1st Central Car Insurance that I feel compelled to share. From start to finish, the service was... I recently had an incredibly frustrating experience with 1st Central Car Insurance that I feel compelled to share. From start to finish, the service was appalling, with a series of lies, unprofessional behaviour, and unnecessary charges. First and foremost, I was left speechless when they ended the phone call on me not once, but twice. Despite being promised a call back, no one ever reached out to follow up. It’s clear they have no regard for their customers’ time or concerns. The lies told by the representatives were downright infuriating. Every time I spoke with someone, the information I received seemed to contradict what was said previously. I was given conflicting details about policy changes and cancellation fees, which left me completely confused and frustrated. Speaking of the cancellation fees, I was charged an outrageous £50 to cancel the policy. However, when I checked their website, it clearly stated the cancellation fee should be £35. This inconsistency only added to my frustration, especially since I was given no explanation for the higher charge. The situation became even more ridiculous when my son switched jobs from an Admin Assistant to a Sales Executive. For this small change, 1st Central increased his policy by a shocking £848. It’s hard to understand how a job title change could result in such a massive price hike, especially when no substantial risk factor was added. The lack of professionalism continued when I spoke with a manager who was not helpful in resolving the issue. Not only did they insist on seeing my son’s contract as proof of his job, but they also requested a payslip. Who asks for a payslip to make a policy adjustment? It’s not something any reasonable insurer would demand. This level of scrutiny was completely unnecessary. To top it all off, 1st Central made numerous mistakes on their end throughout this process. From incorrect information to errors in how they handled the policy details, it became clear that this company is disorganised and untrustworthy. I would never recommend 1st Central to anyone looking for reliable and professional car insurance. Their customer service is abysmal, their pricing is unreasonable, and they don’t care about resolving issues or treating customers fairly. Avoid them at all costs. Read more Read less

Rated Terrible 1/5
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Took out policy.

Car Insurance 3rd December 2024

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... 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. Read more Read less

Rated Terrible 1/5
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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
4th December 2024
1st Central
  • 1/5

    BEWARE!! Ludicrous charges! THEY DO NOT CARE!!

    Took out insurance and over a week later they asked for proof of NCB and proof of claims. Asked my last insurance provider for this.... Took out insurance and over a week later they asked for proof of NCB and proof of claims. Asked my last insurance provider for this. When I didn’t get them in time they charged £175. I had told them I had contacted twice to get these documents. I decided to cancel after nearly 4 weeks and for this I was charged £156, minus my first payment, despite their website saying it’s a £10 cancellation fee after 14 days!! Very impersonal service and completely ridiculous charges!! Felt as though they grabbed me with a cheap quote and then added on extras to make money. My monthly payment went from £37 to £55!! Felt like dealing with robots whose job is to add money on excessively!! Wish I’d read these reviews first!! Read more Read less

    {"display":"Katharine D","full_name":"Katharine D","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car Insurance
    Katharine D 29th November 2024
  • 1/5

    I have cancelled my policy, had them confirm it seve...

    I have cancelled my policy, had them confirm it several times it's been cancelled, and I have now just been sent a default notice. The... I have cancelled my policy, had them confirm it several times it's been cancelled, and I have now just been sent a default notice. The online chat has been no help and said they can't communicate with the accounts team about it, I am now being threatened and have no idea how to rectify this, they deny all knowledge of these email threats. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Ellen D","full_name":"Ellen D","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car Insurance
    Ellen D 28th November 2024
  • 1/5

    Ok where do I start !

    Ok where do I start !!!!!! If you want to get car insurance then look else where !!!!!!!!! I have spent more time on the... Ok where do I start !!!!!! If you want to get car insurance then look else where !!!!!!!!! I have spent more time on the phone trying to get help with my policy than I ever have with all my other policy’s in the last 31 years !!!!!!!!!!!!! People say they will call you back and even email you……….they don’t !!!!!!!!!! Their call centre is in South Africa and I couldn’t really understand the call workers……and this just build up the blood pressure!!!!!!! I am sure they try and keep you from getting all ur paperwork sorted in the first 14 days so they can then hit you with a £50 admin fee like they did to me :( and I have sent sooooooo many emails and wasted soooooo much time trying to do this in the first 14 days that yes I do feel hard done by !!!!!! I really feel hard done by as it’s their poor admin why I am now having to pay an admin fee !!!!!!! I have opened up a complaint : Your case reference: 34639373 Our reference:FPM6022725531FC And if I do ever hear back from them and they do me right I will come back to this review and do an update………..but I am more than sure they won’t !!!!!!! Please learn from my mistake and don’t just go for the cheaper option as it really is not worth the hassle………some times in life you realise that you are dealing with amateurs…………….. :( Please be warned !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Read more Read less

    {"display":"Kevin","full_name":"Kevin","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car Insurance
    Kevin 15th November 2024
  • 1/5

    Avoid 1st Central Car Insurance at all costs.

    Avoid 1st Central Car Insurance. They come up as the cheapest on many insurance comparison websites but they make their money through high administration fees... Avoid 1st Central Car Insurance. They come up as the cheapest on many insurance comparison websites but they make their money through high administration fees any time you or they make changes to your policy. They requested added information 30 days after I applied and with only 1 day to go in my 14 day period, so when I had a disagreement over the documents I couldn't get out within the 14 day grace period. When they find fault in your documents, they don't explain what the problem is online and you can't make any changes to your policy until you've paid the admin fee. The call centre operator had an extremely noisy background (yelling and laughing) so I couldn't hear what was being said. They also failed to action something I requested over the phone. Two separate operators gave me incorrect information as to why my policy was being changed and why I had to pay the admin fee, wasting a day of my time and one less day to get this all sorted. They made it as difficult as possible for me to give them the new information to have the admin fee removed - I couldn't just upload to my online account and I have to call them once I've sent the documentation otherwise my email goes to the back of the 5 day long queue and I'll miss the due date. Most people wouldn't bother and just accept the fee, but that is how they make their money. I'll be cancelling as soon as possible. Could not imagine trying to go through this process if I ever had to make a claim. Read more Read less

    {"display":"J A K","full_name":"J A K","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car Insurance
    J A K 12th November 2024
  • 1/5

    This has to be the worst company I have ever dealt w...

    This has to be the worst company I have ever dealt with, they accepted my insurance then decided they wanted more information after insuring me,... This has to be the worst company I have ever dealt with, they accepted my insurance then decided they wanted more information after insuring me, and when I said you should have asked before accepting they raised the price and charged admin on top, absolute charlatans. Read more Read less

    {"display":"Alan P","full_name":"Alan P","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car Insurance
    Alan P 11th November 2024
  • 1/5

    AVOID AT ALL COST

    Worst customer service on the planet, i had made an error on my application my finger must have hit a 1 instead of a 2... Worst customer service on the planet, i had made an error on my application my finger must have hit a 1 instead of a 2 as in 2021/2022 so they decided to add £175 onto my policy lucky i was still within the 14 day cancellation period ,tried discussing with 3 differrent agent all were so rude and unhelpful Read more Read less

    {"display":"Mark","full_name":"Mark","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car Insurance
    Mark 11th November 2024
  • 1/5

    They offer low quotes but end up charging you more.

    They offer low quotes but ask you to call for additional things they could cover for them to only tell you that your policy will... They offer low quotes but ask you to call for additional things they could cover for them to only tell you that your policy will go up even if you don't want any additional cover. They charge £50 admin fees for the privilege of adding more to your policy. If you then want to cancel they'll take even more than the policy is worth leaving you with nothing. Avoid at all costs. Read more Read less

    {"display":"R Adams ","full_name":"R Adams ","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car Insurance
    R Adams 11th November 2024
  • 1/5

    AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS APPALLING COMPANY IF...

    AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS APPALLING COMPANY IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT THEY DO NOT LISTEN TO YOU OR FIGHT YOUR CLAIM A 3RD... AVOID THIS COMPANY AT ALL COSTS APPALLING COMPANY IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT THEY DO NOT LISTEN TO YOU OR FIGHT YOUR CLAIM A 3RD PARTY HIT MY SON HE TURNED OUT OF HIS LANE INTO MY SON ON A DUAL CARRIAGEWAY AND APPARENTLY ITS 50 /50 CASE LAW SAYS BOTH ARE AT FAULT SO MY SONS FAULT TOO EVEN THOUGH HE STAYED IN HIS OWN LANE AND DIDNT MOVE HE HAD NEARLY PASSED THE DRIVER WHEN HE DECIDED TO CHANGE LANES AND HIT HIM YET THE INSURANCE COMPANY DO NOT FIGHT THE LIABILITY JUST TAKE THE NO CLAIMS WITHOUT PAYING ANYONE OUT AND WITHOUT NOTIFICATION ABSOLUTELY AWFUL AVOID AVOID AVOID BECAUSE THEY ARE CHEAP DOES NOT MEAN GOOD AVOID AVOID AVOID Read more Read less

    {"display":"Joanne c","full_name":"Joanne c","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car Insurance
    Joanne c 10th November 2024
  • 1/5

    High £30 admin fee

    High £30 admin fee when you have to call them even when it's something you can't change online. They don't warn you at beginning of call

    {"display":"K p","full_name":"K p","avatar":{"url":"\/assets\/images\/default_new.png"}}'s avatar
    Car Insurance
    K p 28th October 2024

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