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1st CENTRAL Reviews

4.0 Rating 5,233 Reviews
75 %
of reviewers recommend 1st CENTRAL
4.0
Based on 5,233 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
Useless, they can't even answer the phone. Called the 4 times, every time i go through their automated section to then be cut off. I will not be insuring my car with them.
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Hi Adam, Thank you for your feedback, we're really sorry to hear about the experience you had of trying to contact our team. We will use this feedback to help improve our service, we would also like to help look into this further for you. Please speak to us on web chat which can be found here: https://www.1stcentralinsurance.com/get-in-contact. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm.
Posted 4 years ago
ABYSMAL, TERRIBLE SERVICE. BE WARNED! STAY AWAY FROM THIS COMPANY! They WILL shaft you! I have been a customer with 1st Central for years and years, always renewed, always paid, never made a claim. I have 6 years no claims bonus which I wanted to use with my new insurance company in France. As the French system operates differently, they requested a SIMPLE 2-LINE confirmation in PLAIN English (as everyone at their company speaks French and they will use an online translation machine) saying that: I have held a policy with 1st Central since 2016 until this Wednesday and have never had an accident. 1ST CENTRAL REFUSE TO DO THIS, THE WORK OF A MOMENT! THEY REFUSE TO CONFIRM THIS IN ANY MANNER AT ALL. NOT EVEN A SIMPLE EMAIL THAT TAKES LESS THAN 60 SECONDS. Instead, they demand that the French company call their customer service line and attempt to explain to a random advisor (WHO HAS NO PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THIS MATTER) what has happened in order to get verbal confirmation. Naturally, no-one at 1ST CENTRAL speaks French but nonetheless they think it entirely reasonable to demand someone else do something they cannot linguistically do themselves. THEY CATEGORICALLY REEFUSE TO DO ANYTHING TO ASSIST OR RESOLVE THE SITUATION. ZERO assistance for their loyal customers who have paid them for years. Assistance which would take them but a minute to do. Just a horrendous attitude. STEER CLEAR OF THIS COMPANY.
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Hi Jessica, Thank you for your feedback. We’re so sorry to hear about the experience you've had with trying to get proof of your no claims discount. 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 4 years ago
DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY - after taking out the insurance they tried to find anything possible to charge us extra. We signed up via a comparison website and couldn’t put the exact dates of when we passed mine and my namee’s driving tests so we got charged £700 for this. Please don’t be stung by them too! Was so unhelpful and rude too.
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
CON ARTISTS. Make you carry on paying policy even if car is SORNED then in small print £50 cancellation fee, £50 admin fee and then £50 fee for some other nonsense. DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
The day came to collect my new car and my insurance company was informed of my purchase. All excited at the dealership I called to give them my new registration number - to my horror they said they didn’t know what the car was. They have not heard of it and we’re not prepared to insure me on it. My old car was insured through till September and now as I had told the insurance company that my old car had been taken in part ex they could no longer keep the policy open and they cancelled my insurance. To my dismay I was sat outside the dealership in a fantastic new motor but with no current policy running. Luckily I had the 5 day complimentary drive away insurance from Cupra and was able to enjoy my new purchase with a drive home. When I spoke to them the next day they said that the computer doesn’t recognise the reg or the make and model so because the computer hadn’t been updated they wouldn’t continue the policy. On speaking on the telephone for over 90 mins I eventually managed to speak with a Manager. This lady after many a discussion, prepared me a cover note with the details on it and emailed it to me. All good I thought until I opened the cover note to print it out - it still had the details of my old car on it. So back on the phone, another 75 minutes before I could get through to a Manager again - now a different person. Had to explain all again and managed to get a correct cover note albeit for only 28 days. They said they by then they would have reviewed the situation and all would be good until then. 26 days later, time to call back and try to get things sorted as I’d had no contact from them. Another hour or so trying to get to the bottom of everything, had to explain to different people once again, had to explain it to a Manager again and eventually, after another 50 mins on the phone settled for another cover note. I was promised by this Manager that something would be sorted and I would be informed. 25 days later, still no contact, called again this time equipped with times, dates and details of the recent calls I had made..... Was put through to a Manager, where the discussions were lengthy.... me nearly to the point of losing my temper it was deemed that they would not continue to insure my new car. So as from that conversation the lady said I was no longer legally insured to drive the car on a public road. The reason they gave was that they don’t insure this make and model of car. My car is a Cupra Formentor 1.5 petrol automatic. Nothing special to the motoring world but it’s a car that I’ve wanted which I am still very proud of. Now I have used a comparison site, and I have insured my car with Esure for just short of £300 for the year. My wife and I was renewing our other policy just a couple of weeks ago where 1st Central came up in the quotes as one of the cheapest but we are so glad that we didn’t go for it with them as their customer service is terrible and have no professionalism when having to deal with advocates challenges like the one I’ve been trying to sort out recently. My business with 1st Central has no come to an end where as I would not be wanting to promote their services going forward. It turns out that for the 2 & 1/2 months I have been driving and enjoying my new car, my family and I potentially were not covered, I am in the transport & haulage business where my licensed Class 1 HGV is essential were all put at risk by an inexperienced insurance company who couldn’t even get a new car insured.
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
So far I knew they are good. They sent me an ad so as to get my car insurance from them. So I emailed to ask how much they would charge me for my next car insurance and this is what they replied to me "Hi Thanks for getting in touch. Unfortunately we’re unable to reply to your email" Worst customer service. We customers we trust you and you talk nonsense to customer. we hate car insurance like yours. This car insurance is not recommended and should go into administration. Thanks
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Hi Kay Jay, Thank you for your feedback. We're really sorry to hear about the experience you've had when trying to contact our team. We would like to look into this further for you, please give us a call on 0333 043 2066 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm.
Posted 4 years ago
Was expecting new insurance went to the comparison and went with these. Ok deal then around 2 months into my contract receive an email there analysis team needs proof of no claims, drivers license, etc etc And a phone call so I phone the number they charge me £15 pound because I mistakenly wrote the date wrong on when I passed my test, 12 years ago then said it would be £15 + a £50 admin fee £65 pound on my policy but 2 mins later it had jumped to £85 pound Livid is an understatement, to make matters worse the idiot on the phone couldn’t explain why it jumped up an extra £20 So I was fuming and done the comparison again, I can cancel and get it for £150 cheaper with the same company even after paying a cancellation fee Absolute jokers don’t go near these people
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Hi Chris, Thank you for your feedback. We're extremely sorry to hear about the experience you've had with your policy and the service you received when speaking to our team about this. We would really like to look into this further for you and help resolve this. Please send an email to customer.relations@1stcentral.co.uk. Please include your policy number with a summary similar to your review and we will look into this.
Posted 4 years ago
8 Months since I claimed on my policy, the person that is the claim handler used the most horrendous and threating language in any written contact, when I spoke to her on person about this she was has never changed. Her team leader which I spoke to today had no manners either constantly interrupted me and talked over me over the fun. Deflected every question and didn't answer any concerns. Then showed that he himself had no idea how Thier systems worked. In the email the was apparently "read in full" this person in a leadership role asked me what documents I was after. Even though I stated I was after all documents and correspondence and stated and provided screen shots that the client portal did not provide a the documents and correspondence. This person in a leadership role told me that because I cancelledy policy ( I paid the policy in full actually because the of this treatment actually) I would not get them on the portal (I suggest maybe training those in leadership on how things work, because of your leadership doe's not know it explains why the people they are in charge of don't know how things work) I have done everything I they have asked and provided everything they ask for and dealt with the staggering amount of contractors they employ to actually do the work on thier behalf. They are the lowest bidder on Insurance policies and that is clear in every interaction I have had with them. No human being deserves to treated the way I have been treated and harmed by theses horrible individuals and if you read through the reviews you will find I'm not the first and I garuntee I won't be the last
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Hi Christopher, Thank you for your feedback. We're so sorry to hear about the experience you've had with your claim and the service you've received when speaking to our team. We would really like to look into this further for you and help resolve this. Please send an email to customer.relations@1stcentral.co.uk. Please include your policy number with a summary similar to your review and we will look into this.
Posted 4 years ago
Buyer beware of the auto renewal policy, without notification they took out a years worth of money out of my account with no prior notice. No flexibility with basic change of details mid cover ( if you buy a new car / change of address ), will charge you a £25 fee.
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Thank you for your feedback, we're sorry to hear about your experience of changing the details on your policy and the service you've received when speaking to our team. We would like to look into this further for you, please give us a call on 0333 043 2066 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm.
Posted 4 years ago
Tried to cancel my insurance 8 days after choosing them as you have 14 to change your mind. I’m currently receiving £2 refund, instead of the full amount of the first fee charge. It’s an absolute joke!
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We're really sorry to hear about the experience you've had when cancelling your policy. We will use this feedback to help improve our service but if there is anything else we can do to help, please give us a call on 0333 043 2066 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm.
Posted 4 years ago
Just cost me £85 to CANCEL my car insurance !!! Dont bother with this company
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We're really sorry to hear about the experience you've had when cancelling your policy. We will use this feedback to help improve our service but if there is anything else we can do to help, please give us a call on 0333 043 2066 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm.
Posted 4 years ago
I think a previous customer summed this company up. In the company's response they talked about the feedback will help them to improve their service, obviously not! Initially, you are extremely happy with the price and even service. Then close to the starting date of your policy they ask for numerous documentation and obtaining verification codes from DVLA (never heard of it before). While you are trying to scan in your driving licences etc and obtaining codes they said daily emails saying they are now going to cancel your policy because they haven't received anything. In amongst this, of course, you've sent the documentation but now worried that something is amiss. So you start phoning them only for them to say they are working on it. Then weeks pass and they send you a further bill in admin fees etc because something wasn't quite right. Well if they had been quicker in responding then this wouldn't have happened. Never come across such a poor company in terms of administration.
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We're so sorry to hear about your experience you've had with your policy and the service you've received when speaking to our team. We actively ask our customers for feedback and use this feedback to help us improve our service and processes. We would like to look into this further for you. Please send an email to customer.relations@1stcentral.co.uk. Please include your policy number with a summary of your experience similar to your review and we will look into this.
Posted 4 years ago
Avoid at all costs
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear your experience hasn't been as positive as we'd hoped it would be. We would like to understand your experience in more detail and look into this further for you, please give us a call on 0333 043 2066 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm.
Posted 4 years ago
Absolute jokers Wait until you’ve signed up and paid the deposit then they wait over a month until the cancellation time is over to ask for all sorts of documentation. Think they might catch a few liars out this way, I would say there famous analysis team are onto every customer
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Hi Pat, Thank you for your feedback. We're very sorry to hear about your experience of cancelling your policy. We will use this feedback to help improve our service, if there is anything else you would like us to look into for you, please give us a call on 0333 043 2066 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm.
Posted 4 years ago
The Bunch of cheaters!!! They think they can do everything because they have all the money and power, just because they are big company does not allow them to do what ever they want to customers. They messed up and they investigated themself with outcome of no errors on their side, which doesn't surprise me at all. Do not choose this thieves ever!!!
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We're really sorry to hear about the experience you've had with your policy. We would like to discuss this further with you, please give us a call on 0333 043 2066 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm.
Posted 4 years ago
I made an error hold my hands up i put 5 years no claim and it was a mistake it should of been 4 years. To pay £50 admin fee to make this change is criminal. I phoned up and wanted to cancel but the charge was over £90. I had to stay with 1st Central but not a happy customer at all, just stay clear if you can.
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Hi Alex, Thank you for your feedback. We're sorry to hear about the experience you've had with your policy. Unfortunately if details are incorrect, including your no claims discount, this can impact the price of the policy. We would like to discuss this further with you, please give us a call on 0333 043 2066 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm.
Posted 4 years ago
Took money from my account although I have no insurance with them and never have!
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We're extremely sorry to hear you've had money taken without having a policy with us. We would like to look into this further for you, please give us a call on 0333 043 2066 or speak to us on web chat which can be found on our website. We’re here to help from Mon-Fri: 8am to 8pm, Sat: 9am to 5pm, Sun: 10am to 2pm.
Posted 4 years ago
AVOID AT ALL COST Over charged, cancelled on me WITHOUT warning, only heard from DVLA that I was uninsured months later... When I called they wanted to "reinstate" the policy and charge me for the previous months I wasn't insured for... Had absolutely no recollection of previous issues where they charged my payment early and fixed it. Never give them a penny.
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We're so sorry to hear about the experience you've had with your policy and speaking to our team. We would like to look into this further for you, please send an email to customer.relations@1stcentral.co.uk. Please include your policy number with a summary of your experience and we will look into this.
Posted 4 years ago
This company are a joke!! Charge £50 to cancel within 12 hours of purchase despite advertising in bold writing “free to cancel within 14 days” on the comparison site!!! Rude staff, still waiting for call back regarding complaint!!
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Thanks for your feedback. We're really sorry to hear about the experience you've had with cancelling your policy and the service you received when speaking to our team. We would like to look into this further for you, please send an email to customer.relations@1stcentral.co.uk. Please include your policy number with a summary of your experience and we will look into this.
Posted 4 years ago
They tell you that you have good prospects of succeeding. Then they accidently click the wrong button (it happens) and admit liability. It takes them two months to discover the error, and then a further three months of hiding it before they tell your solicitor. They never tell you as the client, leave it for you to piece together from the letters from the paralegal handling the claim. When you contact them to complain they suddenly decide that, there were not any prospects anyway (very convienient). This on top of an absolute farce getting a courtesy car because they mis-sold the policy in the first place. Will be taking the matter up with the ombudsman. Also, avoid their in-house lawyers. You are not the client (in breach of SRA rules), the insurer is the client. You get given an incompetent, legally unqualified, case handler who does not take instructions from you, only from the insurer.
Helpful Report
Posted 4 years ago
Thank you for your feedback. We're extremely sorry to hear about the experience you've had with your claim and the service you've received. We would like to look into this further for you, please send an email to customer.relations@1stcentral.co.uk. Please include your policy number with a summary of your experience similar to your review and we will look into this for you.
Posted 4 years ago
1st CENTRAL is rated 4.0 based on 5,233 reviews