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1st CENTRAL Reviews

3.9 Rating 5,237 Reviews
75 %
of reviewers recommend 1st CENTRAL
3.9
Based on 5,237 reviews
Shipping & Delivery
Delivery Methods
Own Driver, Postal Service
On-time Delivery
99%
Customer Service
Communication Channels
Telephone, Email, Live Chat
Queries Resolved In
Under An Hour
Customer Service
4.1 out of 5
Read 1st CENTRAL Reviews
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Phone:

0333 043 2066

Email:

marketing@1stcentral.co.uk

Location:

Capital House, Perrymount Road, Haywards Heath
RH16 3SY

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1st CENTRAL 1 star review on 8th January 2025
Anonymous
1st CENTRAL 1 star review on 8th January 2025
Anonymous
1st CENTRAL 1 star review on 22nd August 2024
Mehrdad
1st CENTRAL 1 star review on 21st August 2024
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1st CENTRAL 1 star review on 21st August 2024
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1st CENTRAL 1 star review on 21st August 2024
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1st CENTRAL 1 star review on 9th May 2024
Marcus Wickwar
5
Anonymous
Anonymous  // 01/01/2019
Its all well and good asking me to write a review of my experience of happily spending my money with you on car insurance, but just a small point, it would be a good idea to receive my car insurance policy. .!!!
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Hi Steven, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear you’ve had difficulties with your documents. We try to e-mail your confirmation e-mail within 24 hours, it's always worth checking your junk folder. You can also access your documents within your customer portal located on our website. If you'd prefer to speak to someone, we'd love the opportunity to help put this right for you, so please get in touch. Talk to our team on web chat, or give us a call on 0333 043 2066.
Posted 5 years ago
You have taken my money but not sent a confirmation email to confirm the agreement or advise me of where my documents are. Very poor service. Not happy.
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Hi Garfield, Thank you for your feedback. We always try to send your welcome e-mail and documents within 24 hours of the policy being purchased, apologies if you haven't received this yet. It's always worth checking the junk folder or you can access your documents within your secure customer portal, which is located on our website. If you’d like to speak to one of our team, please call us on 0333 043 2066 and we will look into this for you.
Posted 5 years ago
Very poor. Useless insurance company.
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. If you could give us more information about your experience, we would be happy to look into this further for you. Alternatively, just give our team a call on 0333 043 2066, or you can message us using web chat, which you can find on our website.
Posted 5 years ago
Put my policy up within 2 weeks of me taking it out.
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Hi Dougal, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear about your experience with us. Unfortunately all details on the policy impact the price of the policy we offer, if details are found to be incorrect we need to update them and this can impact the price of the policy.
Posted 5 years ago
Painful experience, left out of pocket. Sharp Practice. I found 1st Central Insurance to be the cheapest option during my annual search for renewal of motor insurance. I'd never heard of them, but their reviews looked good. I purchased a motor policy and then the pain started... Having purchased the policy a month in advance, they waited until it was live before sending me an email saying something wasn't right with the information I had provided. At their request, I sent them photos of the front and back of my Driving Licence, then further proof of NCB. After that, they asked for a DVLA check code, which I also provided promptly. The next day, I received yet another email accusing me of providing inaccurate information on the date the Driving Licence was issued. The DL start date on their quote system matched the anniversary (day and month) the policy was purchased, not the DVLA issue date. This was because I had not entered a date, but selected "20 years or more" from a drop-down list on the website. They now want an additional £61, including a £50 admin fee, or they will cancel my insurance. Not good at Christmas time. Tried to cancel the policy, as it was well inside the 14 day cooling off period since the policy became active. No problem they said, that'll cost you £102. Absolute swindle, never again. Update: Policy cancelled. Cost me a packet, but worth it to end my relationship with these crooks. I've just purchased a new policy that cost £10 less and comes with £30 cashback. That takes the sting out their "penalty charges" somewhat. Update #2: They have now charged me an additional £40 for a change to the policy, which they say happened at the same time the policy was cancelled. I have tried to reason with them, but they don't think it's unusual that I would authorise a payment for a change of policy details at the same time as I cancelled the policy. Caveat emptor!
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear about the experience you've had with your policy. I can see you have already raised a complaint, so we’ll see if we can put things right. In the meantime, if you need to speak to our team, please contact us on 0333 043 2066. We’ll use your comments to help improve our service and training for our agents.
Posted 5 years ago
Very upset having to pay £50 to cancel my insurance as I had inadvertently chosen the wrong option for additional drivers. However cheaper to do this than pay the additional £260 to add the drivers! Daylight robbery!!
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be, our full terms and conditions can be found in your policy wording.
Posted 5 years ago
If i can zero I will give to them very bad company and validation department are all CAN’t and they doing nothing just cancel your policy when they back from their dream and you will loss more than paid .! And all validation department like police station and investigate you and ask you question very rude especially one lady there .
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Hi Joe, Thank you for your feedback. We’re very sorry to hear about your experience with us. If there’s anything you’d like us to look into for you, please contact us by sending an email to customer.relations@1stcentral.co.uk. Please include your policy number and details of what’s gone wrong, and we’ll look into this further.
Posted 5 years ago
Awful experience absolute con artists! They try to charge me for two claims rather than one! Then charged me a £50 admin fee! They were so rude and awful! Do not get insured by them!!!
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Hi Rebekah, Thank you for your feedback. We’re very sorry to hear about the experience you've had with your policy and speaking to our team. Unfortunately, we can't see any of your details, but we would like to look into this further for you. Please contact us by sending an email to customer.relations@1stcentral.co.uk. Please remember to include your policy number and details of what’s gone wrong, and we’ll see if we can put things right.
Posted 5 years ago
I sent an email from my previous insurance company with my ncd clearly stated on it. I was told that I had to supply this in pdf format. This was very inconvenient as I have had to contact my old provider again.
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Hi Darren, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear you weren’t happy with our no claims discount process. Unfortunately we do need to see the original copy of your no claims discount and ask for this in a PDF format, we apologise for the inconvenience caused.
Posted 5 years ago
They don't deserve even one star!!!!!!!! After 4years with them they sending me a lot e-mails by asking documents that they have received long ago!!!!! After a longer period of paying on time they are looking for any reason to extort more money. insurance should be lower and in this year is more expensive 30£ more in a month than last year explaining that there is more and more traffic on my street than last year. AVOID THIS INSURANCE AS FAR AS YOU CAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Hi Justyna, Thank you for your feedback. We’re very sorry to hear about the experience you've had with your policy. Unfortunately, we can't see any of your details, but we would like to look into this further for you. Please contact us by sending an email to customer.relations@1stcentral.co.uk. Please remember to include your policy number and details of what’s gone wrong, and we’ll see if we can put things right.
Posted 5 years ago
Took out the policy through Confused. Everything was fine, until they started querying details, such as driving licence details and NCD. They messed up the licences, claiming my son got his licence before he was born!. Then refused to accept the NCD he had as a named driver, even though Confused specifically asked about it. Started a complaint with them, which they acknowledged, then cancelled the policy on us. Utter disgrace, their customer services don't know what they are doing. Escalated my complaint to the Ombudsman. My other policy is with them as well, although it won't be at it's renewal.
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Hi William, Thanks for your review. We’re sorry to hear about your experience with us. We can see you have already gone through our complaint process, we can only apologise you aren't happy with the outcome on this occasion.
Posted 5 years ago
At first glance the quote appears to be a really good deal. All is well until you try to change your policy details... even 9 days before the renewal. The lady on the phone was nice enough but it was difficult to understand and she did not understand correctly at all time what was said. At the end, they charged me short of £60 for address change to the policy and a couple of other small changes. I am still struggling to find this charges on their policy = £30 or maybe £35 would be fair. Total rip off and needless to say will not be renewing with them. She also confirmed if I called a week later to renew, they would not charge me! Thanks for nothing!
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Hi Angela, Thank you for your feedback. We’re very sorry to hear about the experience you've had with changing the details on your policy. I've passed this onto our management team to review and see if we can put things right for you.
Posted 5 years ago
Would rate zero if it was an option. Awful customer service. Do not honor quotes at all. Blatantly just make things up had 3 phone calls with 3 different reasons as to why they cancelled my policy for no reason oh but don't worry I can get it back for a significantly higher price than they first offered. Wouldn't recommend to my worst enemy. Paying cheap is exactly what you get cheap and nasty service. Will never go with them ever.
Helpful Report
Posted 5 years ago
Hi Carrie-Ann, Thank you for your feedback. We’re really sorry to hear your experience with your renewal hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. I have passed your details onto our management team to look into this further for you.
Posted 5 years ago
Shame I cant give 0 stars really... Absolute joke of a company. Robbing.....people preying on everyone and anyone for an extra dime. Pray you don't make a mistake, have to move house, or god forbid have to cancel your policy. It cost me £210 on TOP of my policy for all that. No bother first central, no bother. I wont be back and I seriously recommend you avoid them like the plague. Wouldn't be surprised if they tried to whack me with another charge after seeing my name of this review. Disgusting.
Helpful Report
Posted 6 years ago
Hi Andrew, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. Unfortunately all details on the policy impact the price of the policy we offer, including claims history. If a claim is found within the five years which wasn't declared we have to recalculate the price of your premium. For more information, our full terms and conditions can be found in your policy wording.
Posted 6 years ago
Have been with First Central for some years with a one year break inbetween. Premiums have always been competitive when I've bothered to check. They've auto renewed my policy so I don't have to do a thing. The only way to cancel your policy is to call them. I have a letter stating that. Imagine my surprise in May when I was stopped by the police for driving with no insurance! It had lapsed by two months. First Central say they sent me a new quote of which I'm still to see the evidence. In regards to the auto renew, no response. So I'm now on a 6month driving ban and a £600 fine. Thank you First Central I couldn't recommend you enough.... Not!!!
Helpful Report
Posted 6 years ago
Hi Paul, Thank you for your feedback. We’re really sorry to hear about the experience you've had with your renewal. Unfortunately, we can't see any of your details, but we would like the opportunity to look into this further for you. Please contact us by sending an email to customer.relations@1stcentral.co.uk. Please include your policy number and details of what’s gone wrong, and we’ll see if we can put things right.
Posted 6 years ago
They automatically renew your policy without a letter or a phone call don’t give a fair renewal, they charge you £15 to update your address,, and £109 to cancel your policy, and £30 to change a car,
Helpful Report
Posted 6 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear about your experience regarding your renewal and changes made on your policy. We do have fees for making amendments on your policy, for more information, our full terms and conditions can be found in your policy wording. If you would like us to look into this further for you, just Just give our team a call on 0333 043 2066, or you can message us using web chat, which you can find on our website.
Posted 6 years ago
I called for cancel the insurance at the number was specified on site and after pass all the necessary information she told me that needs to pass me to other department. Okay so after I waited few minutes told me that nobody is there and I need to return Monday. So why you're adding a phone number or answer if you can't solve the problem!
Helpful Report
Posted 6 years ago
Hi Ionel, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. I will be passing on your comments to look into further to help improve our service and training for our agents.
Posted 6 years ago
Had my card used fraudulently and cancelled. Before a new one arrived, 1st central charged me £30 for a missed payment. Customer complaints told me credit control would sort this, but they refused, basically saying "tough, that's the credit agreement." There is no facility on their website to change payment details despite what their online chat bot will tell you, and the call waiting times are unacceptable. EDIT: After leaving this review 1st Central contacted me and refunded me for both instances. They have invited me to edit my review which I am happy to to do to report this response. I would be interested to learn if they have altered their procedures to prevent this happening to others in the future.
Helpful Report
Posted 6 years ago
Hi Greg, Thank you for your feedback. We’re extremely sorry to hear about the experience you have had with your missed payments. I have passed your details on for a call back to be arranged and we’ll see if we can put things right.
Posted 6 years ago
The worst company that ripped me off! Avoid them! I know that have good prices but they always find a way to make you pay more. Wrong documents, wasting your time through emails, phones etc. I just paid 200 pounds to for cancelation fee and to be free of them! Honestly I am happy now!!! Three months I am dealing with them and finally decided to cancel my policy. Time wasters!!! And not only time bu whole my energy was gone to read my email and their excuses every day.... It's not only me so read the reviews and think before using them!!!
Helpful Report
Posted 6 years ago
Hi Blagovest, Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear on this occasion your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we would have hoped it would be. Unfortunately if details on the policy are wrong, we do need to correct them. We’ll use your comments about the phone times to help improve our service.
Posted 6 years ago
The absolute pits of insurance companies. Was directed to this dire excuse of a company by comparethemarket and it’s beyond words how badly they’ve performed. I’ve gone back to Esure albeit a bit more expensive and will avoid 1st central like the plague. Their customer service (poor choice of words), is appalling. Not once during my conversation did they even attempt to keep my business. Sure they’re the cheapest, but you get what you pay for and after this experience (which wasn’t even a claim!), I sincerely doubt they’d live up to anything they promise. Very disappointed.
Helpful Report
Posted 6 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear your experience with us hasn’t been as positive as we’d hoped it would be. I have passed on your comments to help improve our service and training for our agents.
Posted 6 years ago
1st CENTRAL is rated 3.9 based on 5,237 reviews