Bristol West Auto Insurance: User Reviews and Quotes (2024)

Bristol West only offers auto insurance but makes it accessible to drivers with unique coverage needs.

Stephanie Colestock
Stephanie Colestock

Stephanie is a DC-based freelance writer specializing in personal finance. Her work covers insurance, loans, real estate investing, retirement, and more.

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Chris Schafer
Edited byChris Schafer
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin Halachev
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

Updated November 20, 2024

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Bristol West is a non-standard insurance company serving drivers in 41 states. Acquired by Farmers Insurance in 2007, Bristol West exclusively offers auto insurance coverage geared toward drivers who have never held a policy, have bad credit, or even have a DUI or other serious moving violation on their driving record. Coverage is also available to rideshare drivers who use their vehicles on platforms like Uber or Lyft.

Here’s what else you need to know about coverage from Bristol West.

Quick Facts
  • Because Bristol West Insurance Company caters to high-risk drivers, average premiums may be higher than with competitor companies.

  • Bristol West is a member of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, giving you access to other policy options (and bundling discount opportunities).

  • Customer ratings for this company are low, while industry ratings are average or higher.

How Bristol West compares to other insurance companies

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User Reviews
2.8
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
5.2/10
Liability Only
Liability-only insurance, sometimes called minimum-coverage insurance, pays for bodily injury and property damage to others in an accident the policyholder causes. It does not pay for the insured’s own damages.
$118/mo
Full Coverage
Full-coverage car insurance generally includes liability, collision, and comprehensive coverage, and may include other optional coverages such as uninsured motorist coverage. Collision covers a policyholder’s repair or replacement costs in case of an accident. Comprehensive covers damages caused by non-accident events. The average quote displayed here reflects policies with the following coverage limits: $50,000 bodily injury liability per person; $100,000 bodily injury liability per accident; $50,00 property damage liability per accident; $1,000 collision deductible; and a $1,000 comprehensive deductible.
$255/mo

Bristol West is considered a non-standard insurance company, as it provides coverage to high-risk drivers who might otherwise have a tough time finding an affordable policy. For this reason, premiums tend to be higher than you’d find with other insurance companies.

Additionally, Bristol West offers limited coverage options and only a few discounts, with little information online. It also doesn’t have nationwide coverage, like many major insurers, but it does sell policies in 41 states.

Pros
  • Provides coverage for difficult-to-insure drivers

  • Offers rideshare coverage as an extension of personal policy

  • Highly rated mobile app

Cons
  • Drivers with moving violations pay very high rates

  • Lower-than-average customer satisfaction

  • More-than-expected number of consumer complaints

Read more driver reviews of Bristol West
Misty - November 18, 2024
Verified

Limited Budget, Perfect Driving Record Yet My Bill Went Up

I've always paid around $48 to $52 a month for basic liability, which is within my budget. I never had any issues with Bristol West until October 2024 when they took $100 out of my account. In September, a month earlier, I paid $49. Then in November 2024, my premium was at $74. I'm on a very limited budget and only get one check a month. I have never had an accident or gotten any tickets ever! I told my agent I simply can't afford much and she reassured me that because my credit is excellent and I have an excellent driving record, my policy will stay the same.

Dwayne - November 7, 2024
Verified

Sudden increase in monthly payments

For my 2004 car, I was paying $252 a month, which was a sudden increase from $191. State Farm seems to be a better option, so it might be worth shopping around.

Reginald - November 4, 2024
Verified

Comparable to Well-Known Brands

It's not as recognized as Farmer's or other well-known brands, but it performs similarly.
Factor
How Bristol West Compares
RatesHigher
Customer serviceWorse than competitors
DiscountsLess than competitors
AvailabilitySimilar to competitors
Financial strengthSimilar to competitors

How Bristol West rates compare to competitors

Bristol West isn’t among the cheapest car insurance companies based on national averages, but it could still offer competitive rates in your area and for your unique needs. Amica and Direct Auto are two of Bristol West’s top competitors, and while its rates are comparable with Amica’s, Direct Auto’s rates are far more affordable.

Here’s how Bristol West’s national average full-coverage rate compares to the rates of several different companies.

Full-Coverage Rates by Insurance Company

Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

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Average cost of Bristol West auto insurance

Bristol West offers car insurance for high-risk drivers and drivers who have trouble finding coverage elsewhere. As such, its rates are higher than those from many other insurers. But if you’re a high-risk driver who has struggled to find insurance coverage through other channels, Bristol West could be a good option for you.

Here, you can see how the average monthly liability quote from Bristol West compares to the national average for different driver groups.

Driver
Bristol West Average Quote
National Average
Drivers with a clean record$118$104
Drivers with a speeding ticket$143$145
Drivers with an at-fault accident$150$151
Drivers with a DUI$195$171
Teen drivers$197$193
Senior drivers$92$80
Disclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile.

Bristol West car insurance cost by state

Various factors determine insurance premiums, including your age, driving history, the type of car you drive, and your location.[1] Each state also has its own requirements for minimum liability coverage, which can further affect costs.

Here’s a look at the states where Bristol West operates and how much you might pay for auto insurance coverage. You’ll see that average quotes from Bristol West tend to exceed state averages.

State
Bristol West Average Quote
State Average
Alabama$99$60
Arizona$127$92
Arkansas$145$121
Colorado$94$95
Connecticut$244$226
Florida$247$157
Georgia$221$152
Idaho$82$69
Illinois$99$79
Indiana$86$72
Iowa$55$57
Kansas$92$79
Kentucky$159$171
Louisiana$213$133
Maine$98$86
Maryland$249$204
Michigan$180$172
Minnesota$137$104
Missouri$128$99
Montana$84$79
Nebraska$116$93
New Hampshire$77$63
New Mexico$81$69
North Dakota$79$85
Ohio$94$73
Oklahoma$134$86
Oregon$129$100
Pennsylvania$125$93
South Carolina$230$169
South Dakota$70$63
Tennessee$133$73
Utah$139$108
Virginia$125$101
Washington$127$76
Wisconsin$73$64
Wyoming$78$64
isclaimer: Table data sourced from real-time quotes from Insurify's 50-plus partner insurance providers and quote estimates from Quadrant Information Services. Actual quotes may vary based on the policy buyer's unique driver profile. Coverage isn’t currently available in Alaska, California, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, or Texas. Delaware, Hawaii, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia excluded due to lack of data.

Bristol West car insurance discounts

Most car insurance companies offer discounts that can reduce your total out-of-pocket cost of coverage. Depending on the insurer you choose, many different types of car insurance discounts are available.

Some of the discounts available from Bristol West include those for:

  • Paperless billing

  • Automatic payment enrollment

  • Good driving

  • Multi-policy bundling (this includes policies purchased through Farmers and Foremost Insurance)

How customers feel about Bristol West

It’s tricky to see where Bristol West falls in the industry as a whole, as its ratings don’t match up with many of its firsthand customer reviews.

For example, the company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), though it’s not an accredited business.[2] But on BBB, Bristol West has more than 440 customer reviews with an average rating of 1.12 out of 5 stars.

Bristol West doesn’t have a strong presence on Trustpilot, with only 28 reviews live at the time of this publication. But from those 28 reviews, Bristol West holds a rating of 1.6 out of 5 stars.[3] Customers say that their dissatisfaction lies with unexpected premium increases, slow claims communication, and customer service concerns.

Bristol West customer reviews

Here’s a look at what some real Bristol West customers have to say about their experience with this insurance company.

Misty - November 18, 2024
Verified

Limited Budget, Perfect Driving Record Yet My Bill Went Up

I've always paid around $48 to $52 a month for basic liability, which is within my budget. I never had any issues with Bristol West until October 2024 when they took $100 out of my account. In September, a month earlier, I paid $49. Then in November 2024, my premium was at $74. I'm on a very limited budget and only get one check a month. I have never had an accident or gotten any tickets ever! I told my agent I simply can't afford much and she reassured me that because my credit is excellent and I have an excellent driving record, my policy will stay the same.
Dwayne - November 7, 2024
Verified

Sudden increase in monthly payments

For my 2004 car, I was paying $252 a month, which was a sudden increase from $191. State Farm seems to be a better option, so it might be worth shopping around.
Reginald - November 4, 2024
Verified

Comparable to Well-Known Brands

It's not as recognized as Farmer's or other well-known brands, but it performs similarly.
Robert - November 1, 2024
Verified

Average

Overpriced.

Bristol West ratings

While subjective reviews from existing customers are important, you should also look at trusted industry ratings to truly compare companies. These standard ratings include those from companies like AM Best, J.D. Power, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

Rating
Score
What This Means
AM BestA (Excellent) Positive future projections and ability to pay claims
J.D. PowerNRNot rated by J.D. Power
NAIC Complaint Index2.03Twice as many formal complaints as expected for the company’s size and market share

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Bristol West car insurance coverage options

Where you live partly dictates your insurance coverage options, as each state has its own minimum required coverage. Bristol West’s products are limited, but the company offers a few standard coverage types:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/d7333ddf2e/car-and-driving-96x96-orange_046-car-accident.svg

    Liability coverage

    Liability insurance pays for someone else’s bodily injuries and property damage if you’re at fault for an accident.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/100x100/31bb162db0/accident-forgiveness.svg

    Collision coverage

    Collision insurance pays to repair or replace your vehicle if you’re involved in an accident, regardless of fault.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/665da91bf7/comprehensive-coverage.svg

    Comprehensive coverage

    Comprehensive insurance can repair or replace your vehicle if it’s stolen, vandalized, or damaged by something other than a collision.

Other options for Bristol West customers

Bristol West Insurance Group only offers car insurance. If you’re looking for motorcycle insurance, homeowners insurance, renters insurance, life insurance, or other forms of coverage, you’ll need to shop around with other insurers.

Bristol West Casualty Insurance Company is a member of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, along with the following companies: Coastal National Insurance Company, Security National Insurance Company, and Foremost Insurance Company. Foremost Insurance, for example, offers coverage for boats, RVs, motorcycles, ATVs, homes, condos, and more. If you purchase one of these policies, you may qualify for a bundle discount through Bristol West.

Bristol West insurance FAQs

If you want to know more about Bristol West insurance coverage, check out the additional information below.

  • Is Bristol West legitimate?

    Yes. Bristol West is a legitimate auto insurance company that was founded in Florida in 1973. Farmers Insurance acquired it in 2007, and it’s now part of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. Bristol West has an excellent AM Best rating and an A+ rating with the BBB, though it’s not accredited and has received more complaints than expected in recent years.

  • What is the average cost of Bristol West car insurance?

    While individual premiums vary by location and other personal factors, Bristol West car insurance coverage costs an average of $118 per month for liability coverage and $255 for full coverage.

  • Is Bristol West good at paying claims?

    Bristol West has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating through AM Best, speaking to its ability to pay claims. The company did receive twice as many formal complaints as expected in 2023, according to the NAIC, demonstrating that the claims process may be more complex and confusing for some customers.

  • How do you cancel your Bristol West insurance policy?

    You can cancel your Bristol West policy by reaching out to your independent agent directly by phone, by email, or in person. You can also call Bristol West customer service at 1 (888) 888-0080 or fax a cancellation request form to 1 (888) 888-0070.

  • Is Bristol West for high-risk drivers?

    Bristol West is considered a non-standard insurance company that serves higher-risk drivers in need of coverage. This means that you may be able to purchase a policy even if you’ve been convicted of a DUI or other moving violations, are uninsured, had a policy canceled or lapsed in the past, or have poor credit.

Methodology

Insurify data scientists analyzed more than 90 million quotes served to car insurance applicants in Insurify’s proprietary database to calculate the premium averages displayed on this page. These premiums are real quotes that come directly from Insurify’s 50+ partner insurance companies in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quote averages represent the median price for a quote across the given coverage level, driver subset, and geographic area.

Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for drivers between 20 and 70 years old with a clean driving record and average or better credit (a credit score of 600 or higher).

Liability-only premium averages correspond to policies with the following coverage limits:

  • Bodily injury limits between state-minimum rates and $50,000 per person, $100,000 per accident
  • Property damage limits between $10,000 and $50,000
  • No additional coverage
Full-coverage premium averages correspond to the same bodily injury and property damage limits in addition to:
  • Comprehensive coverage with a $1,000 deductible
  • Collision coverage with a $1,000 deductible

Quotes for Allstate, Farmers, GEICO, State Farm, and USAA are estimates based on Quadrant Information Services’ database of auto insurance rates.

Sources

  1. Insurance Information Institute. "What determines the price of an auto insurance policy?."
  2. Better Business Bureau. "Bristol West Insurance."
  3. Trustpilot. "Bristol West."
Stephanie Colestock
Stephanie Colestock

Stephanie is a DC-based freelance writer and Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI). She primarily covers personal finance topics such as insurance, loans, real estate investing, and retirement. Her work can be found on CBS, FOX Business, MSN, Yahoo! Finance, Business Insider, and more. When she isn't helping people plan for their financial futures, she is traveling, hiking with her kids, or writing for her own website, TomorrowsDollar.com. She can be reached on Twitter @stephcolestock

Chris Schafer
Edited byChris SchaferSenior Editor
Chris Schafer
Chris SchaferSenior Editor
  • 15+ years in content creation

  • 7+ years in business and financial services content

Chris is a seasoned writer/editor with past experience across myriad industries, including insurance, SAS, finance, Medicare, logistics, marketing/advertising, and many more.

Featured in

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Konstantin Halachev
Data reviewed byKonstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
Headshot of Konstantin Halachev, VP of Engineering at Insurify
Konstantin HalachevVP of Engineering & Data Science
  • 7+ years experience in data analysis

  • Ph.D. in Computational Biology

Konstantin has led data teams across multiple industries, including insurance, travel, and biology. He’s led Insurify’s engineering team for more than three years.

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