1st CENTRAL

Pidyn

Afternoon, 

Anyone have experience with 1st CENTRAL car insurance?

My policy started on the 23rd November, I assumed everything was good with policy and then I received an email this morning saying that they needed images of my V5C.

I uploaded the images and then spoke to them phone. They have double checked the purchase date on their end and have come come to the conclusion that there was an error on policy. 

The car was purchased and owned by me since 2016. The registered keeper of the vehicle was my partner so her name was on the V5C for her to insure and pay VED. The V5C is not proof of ownership just the name of the person who is responsible for paying VED etc (clearly says this on the front page of the document). 

In 2019, she bought a new vehicle and I took over the registration of the vehicle in question. I was already the owner as I paid for the vehicle.

When I applied for the quote, the question was - "When was the vehicle Purchased?" The answer is 2016. 

All they've done is check the issued date of the last V5C and assumed the purchase and registration date is the same thing - which it is not.

They are trying to charge me a £60+ fee for changing the date on the policy and if I want to cancel the policy it's £100+ because not surprisingly they raised this issue outside the cooling off period by 1 day! I purchased the policy 5 days before the start date (18th) so they obviously didn't have to time to check before I received their first communication 🤔🤔

They have updated the date on the policy anyway whilst I await for the complaint to be resolved.. and the data field their have updated on my policy clearly says "Purchase Date" not the date I took registration of the vehicle.

Anyone have a similar experience with these ? It seems like their are just trying to get more money out of me.

 I've never had any issue in 20years of vehicle insurance and specifically this vehicle since 2019. I have always used 2016 for the purchase date and for 4years it hasn't been questioned once until now.

DullGreyGuy

Use the search function, you'll find many similar stories, though in most cases the person admits they estimated something and were a few months out our such.

Presumably you have provided them with a copy of the invoice from when you purchased the vehicle to prove your statement of you having been the owner for longer than you've been the keeper?

400ixl

Welcome to 1st Central and their working practice of finding any small detail to charge you more once the policy is up and running.

As above, all you do is try to prove that you only changed the registered keeper on that date by supplying the purchase invoice. If they still refuse then you will need to take it to the insurance ombudsman.

1st Central are one of the insurers where cheap is not always a good way to buy and best to be avoided.

Anonymous360

Please Please think twice before using 1st Central insurance. They will sting you at every corner it is really not worth it

Cinders2001

Well, I was considering buying from them as my previous insurer is now reficulously expensive.

But reading your comments I am wondering if it's such a good idea after all 😕

DullGreyGuy

Cinders2001 said:

Well, I was considering buying from them as my previous insurer is now reficulously expensive.

But reading your comments I am wondering if it's such a good idea after all 😕

There are plenty who make sure they answer everything correctly and dont have any odd situations etc and are happy with them, mainly based on price @Cinders2001

It's really a double edged sword though, yes they are painful as they check everyone up front but then you have reasonable certainty. We get others here where its only checked at claim stage and as such their claim is declined because they incorrectly stated the registered keeper so not only do they have damage to their car to contend with but they have a £40k bill to pay for the third party.