Opinions on 1st Central Insurance?

bullishdoji

Hello all.

This week I have paid in full for an annual insurance policy with 1st Central as they provided a sensible quote, Defaqto ratings seemed to check out, and policy cover was within my requirements. The policy doesn't start until the 26th. I have since come across some very bad reviews about their practices, that they allegedly use cheaper quotes as bait, fine comb the policy and constantly ask for further details to charge continuous admin charges. Furthermore, they allegedly wait until the cooling period is over before they start asking for more documentation and raising said issues.

Firstly, has anyone used 1st Central? If so, what was your experience like?

Secondly, I am considering being proactive in an attempt to avoid any issues. As the policy doesn't start for a week, I am considering writing them an email requesting confirmation that there are no concerns on their end, and if there is could I be informed now, rather than when the policy has already surpassed the cooling off period. Any thoughts on this?

For clarification purposes, the policy is as accurate as I can be. The ONLY concern I have is that my parents are named drivers who I recently discovered, still hold paper licenses. I don't know whether or not this will be any cause for concern?

Thanks in advance.

kinger101

Personally, I'm not inclined to trust online reviews.  Many companies solicit the reviews they get on Trustpilot for example, but online reviews in general tend be either glowing or scathing and are probably not representative and the "average" customer experience. 

Having said that, you seem to be willing to put extra effort in to saving a few quid by purchasing car insurance from a company that (rightly or wrongly) you have some serious doubts about.  Personally, I'd spend a few more quid on buying insurance from someone in whom I had greater confidence.

AdrianC

bullishdoji said:

For clarification purposes, the policy is as accurate as I can be.

I rather suspect that will set you apart from the people whining about the insurer asking for more details and hiking the price as a result...

The ONLY concern I have is that my parents are named drivers who I recently discovered, still hold paper licenses. I don't know whether or not this will be any cause for concern?

No. Paper licences are still perfectly valid. They're still held by a lot of people who are under 70 but haven't changed address for two decades or more.

[Deleted User]

CANCEL CANCEL CANCEL.

It's a very long story, will shorten it as much as possible. I was insured by them, got rear ended. Other driver admitted liability, and had witnesses.

Because I refused to use the accident management company they wanted me to have a car from, they made my life hell, even though I was there customer.

They refused to reply to the 3rd partys insurance, even though they were admitting liability, rejected 2 settlement offers on my behalf, that I knew nothing about, even said they would shut the claim down, as it was taking too long, even thoought that is illegal, and was there fault.

It took 2 years, and the ombudsman, to sort something where liability was never in dispute.

Sandtree

bullishdoji said:

Secondly, I am considering being proactive in an attempt to avoid any issues. As the policy doesn't start for a week, I am considering writing them an email requesting confirmation that there are no concerns on their end, and if there is could I be informed now, rather than when the policy has already surpassed the cooling off period. Any thoughts on this? 

For clarification purposes, the policy is as accurate as I can be. The ONLY concern I have is that my parents are named drivers who I recently discovered, still hold paper licenses. I don't know whether or not this will be any cause for concern?

Cooling off is just the right to cancel, doesnt mean you can cancel free of charge. For most intermediaries like 1st Central there is no difference cancelling in or after the cooling off period. In theory they dont have to offer any cancellation terms after the cooling off period but thats not the practice of any motor insurer or intermediary.

There is no point in writing to them in advance, if you follow stories on here there does appear to be a trend of companies double checking all the facts you've given them and applying admin fees for anything that is wrong that needs correcting (these are normally lower than cancellation fees) plus possibly a change in premium.  So if you've put you've had you license for 3 years and 0 months whereas its really 2 years and 9 months some will pick up on that inaccuracy.  Ultimately this is about lax answering of questions and some now enforcing the requirement for you to be accuarate as websites ahve always stated you must be.

JustAnotherSaver

For my opinion you could check my posts and use the response I gave to the guy asking the exact same question about this company the other week. 

ontheroad1970

JustAnotherSaver said:

For my opinion you could check my posts and use the response I gave to the guy asking the exact same question about this company the other week. 

Or you could be more helpful and state it briefly, and save them the search... but hey...

bullishdoji

Thank you to everyone for their responses. I appreciate the clarity surrounding my intentions and concerns.

As for previous posts about this company, I did do a search initially, but I did also have specific questions surrounding my particular situation that I wanted clearing up.

Thanks again.