Telematics Car Insurance - 1st Central Connect

1st Central Connect is our telematics-based car insurance, offering a tailored insurance premium based on how your car is driven. That means the safer you drive, the better your potential discount at renewal.

Get a quote

This product has been rated 5 Star by Defaqto

What is telematics car insurance?

Telematics car insurance requires you to install a small device in your car to monitor your driving. It'll then score you based on a few different factors to determine how safely you drive. Telematics is an ideal option for young drivers aiming to reduce their future renewal insurance price.

Some insurers call this 'black box' car insurance, and require an engineer to come out and fit the 'black box' telematics device in your vehicle.

However, there’s no need for a black box or engineer call out with 1st Central Connect. Our telematics equipment is a little sensor, which you place on your windscreen and link to your phone. In less than 5 minutes, it's set up and you’re ready to go.

Telematics Insurance vs Black Box Insurance

There are some differences between our telematics insurance and typical Black Box Insurance. While both types of insurance monitor your driving habits via a device in the car, unlike Black Box Insurance, 1st Central Connect benefits from using an easy-to-install sensor which you place on your windscreen and link to your phone. With typical Black Box Insurance, drivers will need an engineer to be called out and fit the black box device, yet with 1st Central Connect, you’ll be set up and ready to go in no more than 5 minutes.

What is 1st Central Connect?

1st Central Connect is our telematics-based motor insurance policy. We’ll give you a discount up front for sharing your driving data with us, and if you can prove that you're a safe driver, there could be further discounts on offer at renewal. Sharing driving data allows us to give you a fair price based on how you drive as an individual.

Get a quote

What are the advantages of our telematics insurance?

Easy self-fit sensor - no engineers required!
Every journey recorded as soon as it's set up
No curfews mean you can drive 24/7
View scores for every journey you or any named drivers take
Crash detection setting picks up when your car is in a crash, and can send information to start a claim straight away
The safer you drive, the better your potential discount at renewal
You'll have peace of mind with our 5 Star Defaqto rated cover

Start protecting your car today

How our telematic insurance works

Purchase your policy

Once you’ve purchased a 1st Central Connect telematics policy you're good to go. No need to wait for your sensor to arrive, and even better, you don't need an engineer to install it!

Get the app

You’ll receive a text with a link to download and register with the 1st Central Connect app. Once your sensor's arrived you can link it to your phone.

Stick it on your windscreen

Firmly stick your 1st Central Connect telematics sensor to your windscreen without it blocking your view. Check out our installation guide for our top tips.

Add your additional drivers

Ensure your additional drivers download the 1st Central Connect app too! It’s important that they register using their own mobile number.

Track your trips

As you hit the open road, your 1st Central Connect app and telematics sensor
monitors your driving performance. Each journey, you’ll get a driving score, with hints and tips on how to drive safely.

Enjoy a great renewal price

The safer you drive, the better the potential discount at renewal!

Download the 1st Central Connect app

What's included with 1st Central Connect
car insurance?

Comprehensive Third Party, Fire & Theft

The following is included as standard when you take out 1st Central Connect comprehensive cover.

Windscreen

We'll replace or repair a damaged windscreen or window (including scratched paintwork caused by broken glass) and this won’t affect your No Claims Discount.

Personal Accident

We’ll pay out up to £7,500 if an accident in your car results in your death, permanent loss of sight or loss of one or more limbs.

Courtesy car

You'll get a free Class-A courtesy car (e.g. a small hatchback), while your car is being repaired by one of our approved garages.

Key Assist

You're covered for up to £1,500 for keys that are lost, stolen or damaged by accidental means - and up to 3 days’ car hire. Claiming won’t affect your No Claims Discount. Find out more about Key Assist.

Also includes

Personal belongings
We'll pay up to £250 for loss of, or damage to, personal belongings in or on your car caused by accidental damage, fire or theft.
Audio and Visual
We’ll cover your navigational equipment, radio and any other audio and visual equipment which is permanently fitted to your car.
Hotel Expenses
You're covered for up to £500 if you require a hotel stay when your car is involved in an accident.
Third Party, Fire & Theft
We’ll replace or repair your car, spare parts or accessories if they are lost or damaged due to fire, lightning, explosion, theft or attempted theft.
Liability to others
You’ll be covered for amounts you’re legally liable to pay if someone else is injured or killed, or if their property is damaged as a result of an accident in your car.
Medical expenses
You're covered for up to £100 of medical expenses for each person injured in your car if it’s involved in an accident.
No Claims Discount
For every year of claim-free driving, you’ll accrue No Claims Discount.
Driving abroad
Your cover extends to 90 days of driving in any EU country, Croatia, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Andorra.
Accidental damage
We’ll replace or repair your car, spare parts or accessories if they are lost, stolen or damaged.
Uninsured Driver Promise
If you have an accident with an uninsured driver and it wasn't your fault, your No Claims Discount won't be reduced, and you won't be charged a policy excess.

Does not include

RAC Breakdown Cover
Be covered by one of our various levels of RAC Breakdown Cover to help you get back up and running.
Legal Expenses Cover
If you have an accident and it’s not your fault, we’ll give you up to £100,000 of car insurance Legal Expenses Cover to help you recover uninsured losses and costs.

Looking for a policy with Legal Expenses Cover included as standard?

Compare product types

Read the policy documents

The following is included as standard when you take out 1st Central Connect Third Party, Fire & Theft cover.

Key Assist

Also includes

Audio and Visual
We’ll cover your navigational equipment, radio and any other audio and visual equipment which is permanently fitted to your car.
Third Party, Fire & Theft
We’ll replace or repair your car, spare parts or accessories if they are lost or damaged due to fire, lightning, explosion, theft or attempted theft.
Liability to others
You’ll be covered for amounts you’re legally liable to pay if someone else is injured or killed, or if their property is damaged as a result of an accident in your car.
No Claims Discount
For every year of claim-free driving, you’ll accrue No Claims Discount.
Driving abroad
Your cover extends to 90 days of driving in any EU country, Croatia, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Andorra.

Does not include

RAC Breakdown Cover
Be covered by one of our various levels of RAC Breakdown Cover to help you get back up and running.
Legal Expenses Cover
If you have an accident and it’s not your fault, we’ll give you up to £100,000 of car insurance Legal Expenses Cover to help you recover uninsured losses and costs.
Windscreen
We'll replace or repair a damaged windscreen or window (including scratched paintwork caused by broken glass) and this won’t affect your No Claims Discount.
Personal Accident
We’ll pay out up to £7,500 if an accident in your car results in your death, permanent loss of sight or loss of one or more limbs.
Courtesy car
You'll get a free Class-A courtesy car (e.g. a small hatchback), while your car is being repaired by one of our approved garages.
Medical expenses
You're covered for up to £100 of medical expenses for each person injured in your car if it’s involved in an accident.
Accidental damage
We’ll replace or repair your car, spare parts or accessories if they are lost, stolen or damaged.

Looking for a policy with more features included as standard?

Compare product types

Read the policy documents

How we measure your driving

The 1st Central Connect App and sensor records the trips you make and measures things like hard acceleration, braking and cornering in addition to speeding and phone usage whilst driving. Then it’ll give you a score.

Get hints and tips to improve your driving

When you download the 1st Central Connect app, you’ll receive regular updates on your driving score. You’ll also get hints and tips on how to drive safely. Keep driving well to reach milestones and receive badges.

Don't just take our word for it

Our customers rate us as ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot.

Read all customer reviews

What are my responsibilities?

As this is a telematics policy:

You and all drivers on the policy must have a compatible smartphone
You must install the sensor and you and any named drivers must download and register with the 1st Central Connect app within 14 days of the start date of the policy
You must link the sensor with your smartphone and attach the sensor to your windscreen without it blocking your view within 14 days of the start date of your policy
All drivers on the policy must have their smartphone with them for every journey so you can share your driving data with us
Whilst your policy is in force, you musn’t remove the sensor from your car or remove the 1st Central Connect app from your smartphone
Your vehicle score must stay above the minimum threshold of 50 or your policy may be cancelled
You must not speed or use your mobile phone whilst driving. If you do, your policy may be cancelled

We're here to help every step of the way

If you’ve got a question about your policy, you might find the answer you’re looking for on our Help and Support page.

Go to our help section

Frequently asked questions

Is my phone compatible with 1st Central Connect?

Please check your phone compatibility below.

Compatible operating systems	Incompatible operating systems	Incompatible phones
Android 13	Android 7	Samsung Galaxy Note 11
Android 12	Android 6	Samsung Galaxy A10e
Android 11		Samsung Galaxy A12
Android 10		HTC One (M8)
Android 9		Huwawei Ascend P7
Android 8		Blu Life One XL
IOS 16	IOS 11	Asus Zenfone 2
IOS 15		Huawei P8 and P8 Lite
IOS 14		ZTE Blade Z Max Z982
IOS 13		ZTE Blade Spark Z971
IOS 12		iPhone 7+ and older

If you're unsure which operating system is in use, please check the settings on your phone.

Do I need to have the app open for the trip?

You don't need to open the app for every trip. It works in the background and will collect your data any time a trip is detected. However, make sure that your smartphone is turned on and has a minimum of 20% battery and power saving mode is turned off. Remember not to force quit the Connect app before your trip.

When will my 1st Central Connect sensor be delivered?

Your sensor will be sent by post to your stated address, usually within 7 days from when your policy starts. If you haven't received your sensor within this time please contact us immediately.

Details of our contact numbers and opening hours are here.

What does the 1st Central Connect app detect and measure?

The 1st Central Connect app detects and measures a number of things, including:

Phone usage while driving - Don't use your smartphone whilst driving or hand it to a passenger to use. This can affect your driving score as the app detects when your phone is being used while your car is being driven.

Speed - Your driving score will be affected if you go over the speed limit. Always keep an eye on your speed and be aware of what the speed limit is.

Braking - The app will detect any hard or fast braking you make. Allow yourself enough time to break gradually, so you have plenty of time to react.

Cornering - Quick or hard turns when taking a corner can affect your driving score. So always try to drive smoothly and precisely around corners.

Hard acceleration - Your driving score will be affected if you accelerate too quickly. Gentle acceleration is always best - it's safer and doesn't put a strain on your car's engine.