📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

1st Central Car Insurance

Options
11415161820

Comments

  • OCD123
    OCD123 Posts: 1 Newbie
    edited 10 October 2014 at 1:16AM
    My car was hit up the rear by the driver of a car insured with 1st Central. He admitted liability in front of an independent witness. That was on 8/8/14. It is now 10/10/14 and my repairer (who has had my car since 12/8/14) has still not had confirmation in writing from 1st Central to commence repairs. And this is despite both of us being told verbally last week by an independent engineer hired by 1st Central that the repair is authorised. I'm surprised my repairer hasn't started to charge storage rent!


    Goodness knows what kind of mess 1st Central would be in if I'd opted for the courtesy car they offered (as it was my second car I thought I'd spare them the expense).


    To rub salt in the wound, today 1st Central have asked me to make an appointment to meet someone who will take a statement from me (and I'm just about to take a 2-week holiday abroad). Surely this is just a poorly disguised attempt to further slow down the pay out? ENOUGH!! I cried. I told them I was taking my complaint to the Financial Ombudsman.


    To those of you lucky enough to be reading this before parting with your hard-earned on a 1st Central policy - DON'T!!! And to those of you like me who are innocent victims of an unprofessional business with very dubious ethics, my commiserations...I'll let you know what transpires.
  • oscarward
    oscarward Posts: 904 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Name Dropper Car Insurance Carver!
    err I don't think you can go to the FOS if you're dealing directly with the TP insurer?


    You can only complain about your own insurer as that is who you have a contract with?


    Use an accident management company if you want things sorted more quickly?
  • The call center staff are rude and incompetent.
    They do not listen to the customer. perhaps that is why the insurance is cheap? because they hire any one.

    This week i left first central upon renewal. I cancelled my renewal several weeks 3+ before hand. i then checked 2 weeks later it had been cancelled and asked for proof of no claims. it hadn't been cancelled so i did it then as well. Yesterday, i had a direct debit payment took from my account by first central for my first installment... despite cancelling twice. i am still awaiting an email of my no claims.

    I had to ring the bank to recover this installment, which then prepped first central to threaten me with a default for cancelling my insurance as well as a £50 charge.

    These people will take you for an idiot if you let them. Make sure to cover your back you record all calls made. thank goodness i didn't need to make a claim at any time as they struggle with the most simple task!

    so today yet again I've dealt with another rude and snappy little girl on customer service line and 'm never ever going to take out insurance with these people again.

    Octagon standard are much better, friendlier more organised and don't leave you on hold with an 0845 number for 25+ minutes at a time. i strongly recommend you avoid!
  • One of the worst insaurance l have ever had and if you ever try to contact like a end of world sometimes they cant even find your details and might be cheap but not worth it so pay another 10£ and get better service.

    Accident Team management its like a joke bec they never give you ref number for accident or claim but they dont know how or why but classed as claimed!!

    anyway good luck if you ever choice this time wasting insaurance company.
  • Hi all, just a little word to ponder. I think before you get into an insurance, you thoroughly read their policy. Don't enter to a situation where in you have no control. Also, I think you need to have a guide specially when things like this that you need to spend money.
  • Dear Reader,
    All the previous posts refer to 2009, now 5 years later despite assurances from the likes Tom - Head of Business Development at 1St Central, I can tell you that if you do need to claim, you will be waiting and waiting. The problem with a claim is that it is likely you will need to speak to your insurance company on multiples occasions, and on each an ever time, even if you do get through the likelihood is your claim handler is on the phone or not at his desk. If you're certain you will never have an accident then they be an option to consider - so unless your clairvoyant - I would avoid them like the plague.
  • Disturbing to see how long (since 2009!) this company has been hiding behind T&Cs etc to extract fees and charges. Well, as of today, nothing has changed - I phoned them specifically to enquire about changing policy when removing my daughter when she gets her car. I was quoted £30 for changes £50 to cancel... unfortunately had to cancel after 71 days (car died) - they have taken £284.64 to cover this period. They refused to give back the shortfall, stating £50 Admin Fee and a "time and risk" element also. Fuming and would urge anyone to highlight any bad experiences to the Financial Ombusdman. Maybe then some consumer looking for a good deal might find one (with another insurance company...) :mad:
  • I hope you get on okay - I have had trouble with them and have written to the Financial Ombusdman and suggest you to too - I reckon they can sort them out (well, here's hoping). Good luck.
  • Like many people (come on, be honest!) you only find out that all insurance companies are not the same when it's too late. I'm with First Central, have nine years no claims and was hit last week by an uninsured driver. (I wasn't in the car).
    Paid extra for a courtesy car? I assumed it would turn up when mine was taken away. Nope, your car goes away, then someone looks at it, then they decide if it's repairable (mine needs a front panel, is all) Then they contact the courtesy car people, then they contact you. Can easily be days. Important meetings missed.
    Paid extra for uninsured driver cover? All that means is that they won't knock your no claims down, BUT they will register it as a claim and you will pay extra next time.
    Tried to speed things up. No chance it seems.
    I wonder what delights are still to come...?
  • My wife was with 1st Central last year. Fortunatley we did not have to deal with them (no accidents or similar).

    I often see them crop up as the cheapest on my new quotes, probably owned by one of the bigger insurance companies.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 351.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 453.7K Spending & Discounts
  • 244.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 599.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177K Life & Family
  • 257.6K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.2K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.6K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.