anyone got 1st central car insurance?

A question about : anyone got 1st central car insurance?

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Hi all

Just a warning really...

..please be aware that we've just been advised 1st central car insurance policies do not give drivers 3rd party cover on other cars even if they have fully comp policies and are over 25.

As far as I'm aware this is standard on most policies but we nearly got caught out when we called them back to double check the policy we'd just purchased. You can't pay extra fo it either!

Hope nobody gets caught out! We've just cancelled within the 14 day cooling off period - just hope they promptly refund the premium that we paid in full! Fingers crossed!
Ells

Best answers:

• Hi Ellissa,
  I'm Tom - Head of Business Development at First Central Insurance Services. I'm sorry to hear you had to cancel your policy with 1st Central.
  As an organisation we are very keen to hear our customers view and opinions. We noticed your recent post and as a result of your comments and other customer feedback we are now in the process of evaluating whether this can be included with our private car policies as standard.
  I will keep this thread updated with any developments.
  Kind regards,
  Tom
• Thanks for your post Tom, if you cannot offer the driving other cars it would be fairer to your customers and save you the hassle of people cancelling if you pointed this out at the point of sale. It also does not mention this in your FAQs
• Hi dacouch - Thanks for your comments. We'll take these on board and make sure we include them as part of our upcoming Product Review.
• Not only do 1st Central Insurance leave out cover generally considered standard, as ellissa points out, they are completely hopeless if you find yourself needing to make a claim as I found out recently. One of the most annoying things I found was that even when dealing with a claim you have no option other than to use their 0870 type numbers which you find yourself on hold for ages. This company seems to operate with no consideration to their customers. Never again will I fall for the cheap trick companies like this make by undercutting proper insurance companies on the comparison websites by a few pounds - I'd advise everybody to steer clear.
• Hi - I'm Tom - Head of Business Development at First Central Insurance Services.
  I'd like to address the issues raised on this forum. I'd like to apologise to those customers who have been left waiting on the telephone - Our UK Service provider is currently in the process of recruiting and training more agents and as a result we are already seeing improvements in service.
  I can confirm that our service provider has never used 0870 numbers -First Central uses an 0845 for our Claims Centre and this should be charged at local rate depending on your provider. As a result of these posts we have also conducted some research into this and there are actually a number of 'big names' who use the more expensive 0870 and 0871 numbers.
  Please contact me on this forum if you need me to clarify anything.
  Kind regards,
  Tom
• Tom could you post a geographical number eg 0207 as when people ring an 0870 or 0844 from most mobile phones (Which a lot of people tend to use) they cost between 5p and 30p a minute. If you post a geographical number they can ring from a mobile for a much lower price and often its included in their free minutes (Most 0845 / 0870 are not included)
• I doubt it, otherwise he would have posted up here and put a note on the website making a big song and dance that they now include it
• They should at least make it clear like Zurich Connect does that "if you are looking for this thirdparty cover, our policy is not for you".
  Companies with hidden GotU exclusions should always be avoided.
• They are a registered in Gibralter which normally puts me off an Insurer
• Hi,
  I take it no further news on whether they have included 3rd Party Insurance to drive other cars on their fully comp policy? I will be cancelling my policy first thing tomorrow morning. As this is normally standard i think it is really poor they do not give this automatically and as commented above, advise at the point of quote that it is not available.
• Who uses their DOC extension anyway?
• If people really need the DOC extension on their policy shouldn't they ASK if its included rather than wrongly ASSUME its included?
  Take some responsibility guys......
• I was of the impression the DOC was very rare these days thus making the OP's argument rather invalid.
• UNBELIEVABLE!!!!!!!!!
  Despite reading the reviews on here, I read through the policy details and caled up to talk to the sales team at 1st Central. We were getting a really good deal and so I went ahead and purchased a car insurance policy. Done.... Happy...sorted. We were covered and could get on with driving in our lovely new car...
  That was 2 days ago.
  I have come home this evening to the following email: We are sorry to hear you no longer wish to continue your Insurance with 1st Central. Your Certificate of Motor Insurance should be returned to us immediately for cancellation. If you do not have this in your possession please complete, sign and return the Lost Certificate Declaration form which can be found on www.1stcentralinsurance.com.
  Baffled, I then did what anyone would do and call the customer service team, which as per the same document as above states: If you require any further assistance you can email us on policysupport@1stcentral.co.uk or alternatively call our Policy Support Team on 0845 194 9930. Our opening hours are Monday to Friday 08.00 – 21.00
  Were they open? Did I get a response? Was I able to clarify if I was still covered amidst the panic... NO! Not one of the numbers on their website worked and it is 7pm in the evening!? I got through to one number which is supposedly for "Making a Claim". In actual fact, it's nothing of the sort - the company I got through to is their out of hours message service... who are unable to pass on any messages.... nor do they have any access to any details on the 1st Central database... ????? They are only there "to deal with emergency call outs / breakdown" .......... I am absolutely LIVID!
  I now cannot get in touch with my partner who uis currently out IN THE CAR... and I have no idea if he is even covered as we speak.
  I am within my cooling off period and will be phoning them 1st thing (within hours obviously) to cancel... thankfully we ended up ony paying a deposit and not a full amount and hopefully it will not take long to get THAT back.. I fully intend to keep you posted, and in the meantime, STEER WELL CLEAR!!!!
• hi everyone. just tried to contact 1st central... all phone numbers automatically disconnect you. this includes the sales line and the claim line! this is at 4pm on a monday, which I would have thought was in normal office hours. This is not filling me with a lot of confidence.