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Ellie

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Review of the 1st Central, Car insurance:

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Deceptive. Disorganised. Disgusting.

This company is disorganised at best and complete scammers at worst. They will do anything to take your money and tell you your policies are cancelled when they aren't. It feels disgusting that a company can do this and get away with it: A few years ago I had an accident where my car was written off, 1st Central paid out but refused to let me cancel the policy despite there no longer being a car for me to be insured on . They forced me to pay for the remaining 10 months of the year despite me calling repeatedly asking to cancel. 3 months into this I cancelled the direct debit because the situation was ridiculous and shortly after, debt collection letters started arriving. I eventually paid the 10 months worth of insurance money for a car I couldn't drive and didn't have. The policy auto-renewed and so to avoid a repeat of the hassle of the last 10 months, I stuck with 1st Central. Last month I sold my newer car and then tried to cancel my policy. I spoke to a lady on the phone who seemed to think there would be no issue with cancelling and then told me I was due £650 refund. I told her I was surprised and wasn't expecting any money but after getting off the phone assumed it was compensation for the amount I had paid them from before. She transferred the money and cancelled policy. Over the next few days I received multiple phone calls telling me I needed to sign for the money, that they were unsure if I was owed an extra £50, or if I owe THEM money. A few more days later I get a phone call saying she got it wrong, I shouldn't have been given the £650 and they want the money back. I told them I cant pay it right away because my account was in an overdraft when she sent me the money in the first place, so she would have to wait until I got paid. She said 'ok' but that meant she wouldn't be able to cancel the policy until she has the money back and therefore policy would resume and £70 will be taken from the account as usual in a few days. They said someone would be in touch to arrange a payment plan. Days went by and I heard nothing from the payment team, so in an attempt to avoid them taking even more money from my account, and in the hopes they would cancel the policy they told me they had cancelled 2 weeks ago, my girlfriend helped me pay back the £650. This was 7 days ago, today I received 2 separate texts from 1st central asking me for £72. I do not know if they have cancelled my policy or not. I don't know how I can possibly owe them any more money but the last time I refused to pay them they blacklisted me, affecting my credit score and whether or not I can get a mortgage in the future. It feels disgusting that a company can do this and get away with it. This company is disorganised at best and complete scammers at worst. They will do anything to take your money and tell you your policies are cancelled when they aren't. DO NOT use this company. Reviewed on: 7th December 2022

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