Bristol West insurance review 2024
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At a glance
Score breakdown
Auto
3.0
Cost & ratings
2.3
Coverage
3.5
Support
4.0
Home
0.0
About Bankrate Score
Bankrate's take
If you have bad credit or a poor driving record, Bristol West might be a good option for you. The company offers coverage to high-risk drivers, including those needing SR-22s. However, Bristol West has few endorsements and discounts, and its average premiums exceed the national average.
- High-risk policies; SR-22 and FR-44 filings available
- Limited discount options
- Premiums can be expensive compared to national average
- High number of complaints with the NAIC
Bristol West Insurance car insurance review
Bristol West is part of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, which is one of the largest car insurance companies in the country. Bristol West offers basic car insurance coverage, including minimum coverage and full coverage, as well as uninsured and underinsured motorists coverage. Bristol West specializes in high-risk auto insurance, so it may be a good option for drivers who struggle to get car insurance due to their credit-based insurance score, accident history or motor vehicle record.
Bristol West has a Bankrate Score of 3.3 out of 5 points. While the company stands out for its flexible payment methods and an A (Excellent) financial strength rating by AM Best, it has higher-than-average premiums, minimal discounts and limited availability. Bristol West offers a handful of endorsements, including rental car reimbursement, medical payments, ridesharing coverage and roadside assistance.
Customers may appreciate the company's included add-ons. Depending on state availability, policyholders may get permissive use and trailer damage coverage. Bristol West doesn’t advertise any discounts online, and coverage is only sold in 43 states.
Pros and cons of Bristol West car insurance
Comparing perks and drawbacks of a provider may give you a high-level overview of whether a carrier is the right choice for you. Before you purchase a car insurance policy from Bristol West, it may be beneficial to compare the advantages and disadvantages:
Pros
- Sells car insurance to high-risk drivers
- Easy to get a quote online
- Mobile app allows you to virtually manage your policy
Cons
- Higher-than-average premiums
- No discounts mentioned online
- Policies not available in every state
Bristol West car insurance cost
The average car insurance premium from Bristol West is $4,343 per year for a full coverage policy and $1,146 per year for minimum coverage, according to data provided by Quadrant Information Services. Bristol West’s average premiums are significantly higher than the average cost of car insurance in the U.S., which is $2,458 for full coverage and $678 for minimum coverage.
How much is Bristol West car insurance?
Your driving record is one of the biggest factors that may impact your cost of car insurance. Below, you can see the average Bristol West car insurance premiums for drivers with a clean driving history, a speeding ticket and an at-fault accident. While Bristol West is a high-risk auto insurance company, it is not guaranteed that a driver with one or more DUIs will be issued a policy. To learn more, contact a Bristol West insurance agent directly.
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Good driver, good credit
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,343
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National full coverage premium
$2,458
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,145
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National full coverage premium
$4,502
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,418
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National full coverage premium
$2,975
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|
Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,329
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National full coverage premium
$3,508
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,629
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National full coverage premium
$4,713
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Bristol West car insurance quotes by age
Another factor that may affect car insurance premiums is the age of the driver. Young drivers, including teen drivers who get added to their parents' policy, typically pay the highest rates. Car insurance premiums usually start to drop once a driver is in their mid-20s. Below are the average Bristol West rates for drivers in several age groups. These rates assume the driver has a clean driving record.
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$12,550
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National full coverage premium
$5,229
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$11,687
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National full coverage premium
$4,501
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$8,686
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National full coverage premium
$4,972
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,652
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National full coverage premium
$3,031
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,797
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National full coverage premium
$2,622
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,343
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National full coverage premium
$2,458
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,352
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National full coverage premium
$2,220
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Compare Bristol West car insurance rates
Car insurance rates vary across companies. Why? Because each uses its own underwriting algorithm to determine your date; some may be more forgiving of a speeding ticket or traffic violation, while others may charge higher for drivers with spotted driving records. To help you see how Bristol West’s rates compare, we’ve gathered average rates for some of the largest car insurance companies in the country.
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$4,343
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$1,146
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$3,060
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$987
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$2,418
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$706
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$3,081
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$925
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$1,992
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$585
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$1,934
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$697
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$2,688
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$886
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$1,996
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$543
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$2,127
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$767
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$1,775
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$463
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Bristol West customer satisfaction
Customer satisfaction ratings may help you determine which insurance companies will offer you the best customer service. J.D. Power issues national customer satisfaction scores through its U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Bristol West is not rated by the organization.
Bristol West car insurance customer complaints
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) tracks insurance company complaints from customers. The NAIC Complaint Index is based on an industry average score of 1.00. This means that a company with a complaint index of 2.0 has twice the normal rate of complaints than the industry average as a benchmark. The NAIC also maintains separate complaint index scores based on policy type, meaning a company with high complaints for auto insurance may have a completely different score for life insurance policies (and vice versa).
Bristol West has a high number of complaints for a company of its size based on the NAIC Complaint Index.
Bristol West car insurance discounts
Compared to standard auto insurers, Bristol West offers limited discounts to help customers save money on car insurance. The company does not advertise any discounts on its website. Contacting a Bristol West independent insurance agent may be the best way to see if you qualify for any potential savings opportunities.
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Get personalized auto insurance quotes
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare Bristol West with other insurers
Bristol West may be an affordable insurance option for drivers with multiple accidents, moving violations or a DUI on their record. However, even high-risk drivers typically have more than one option when it comes to auto insurance. If you're not sure Bristol West offers the coverage you need, you could consider getting quotes from these carriers:
Featured
Bristol West
3.0
Bankrate scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience, in addition to average quoted rates. A secondary assessment of each provider's online and mobile resources and policy management options also contributed to overall ratings
Cost & ratings 2.3Coverage 3.5Support 4.0 |
The General
3.3
Bankrate scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience, in addition to average quoted rates. A secondary assessment of each provider's online and mobile resources and policy management options also contributed to overall ratings
Cost & ratings 3.0Coverage 3.5Support 3.9 |
Progressive
4.4
Bankrate scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience, in addition to average quoted rates. A secondary assessment of each provider's online and mobile resources and policy management options also contributed to overall ratings
Cost & ratings 4.2Coverage 5.0Support 4.3 |
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OVERVIEW
Bankrate identified key carrier features, coverage offerings, discounts and more
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Bristol West caters to high-risk drivers, which includes drivers with poor credit-based insurance scores and drivers with serious infractions like a DUI. Bristol West exclusively writes car insurance, so it may not be suited to drivers looking to bundle home or renters with an auto policy. Rates for this company can be above the market average, and it may not be worthwhile for a driver with a clean driving record.
Read More
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The General offers basic car insurance coverage, with few endorsements available for added protection. The General offers more advertised discounts than Bristol West, and policyholders may save with discounts for safe driving, vehicle safety features, paying in full and taking a defensive driving course, depending on state eligibility. The General is not rated by many third-party organizations, but it also has more complaints than expected per the NAIC Complaint Index.
Read More
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Progressive initially carved out a niche in the auto insurance world by agreeing to insure drivers who struggled to find policies elsewhere. Like Bristol West, Progressive offers SR-22s and FR-44s. Progressive has more robust digital platforms than Bristol West and may be better suited to a high-risk driver looking to manage a policy online or via a mobile app.
Read More
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STANDOUT FEATURES
These features are some of the carrier’s most impressive
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Easy to get a quote online
Mobile app available
Has SR-22 and FR-44 forms
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Specializes in high-risk drivers
Flexible payment plans
SR-22s and non-owner insurance
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Digital policy management tools
Nationwide coverage
SR-22 filing options
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AVG FULL COV. AUTO RATE
Average national annual cost of a full coverage auto insurance policy
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$4,343 | $2,567 | $2,418 |
J.D. POWER AUTO SCORE
J.D. Power’s Auto Claims Satisfaction Study assesses customer satisfaction with the claims experience on a 1,000-point scale
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Not Scored | Not Scored | 672/1000 |
AVG HOME RATE
Average national annual cost of a home insurance policy with $300K in dwelling coverage
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No rates available | No rates available | $2,485 |
J.D. POWER HOME SCORE
J.D. Power’s Property Claims Satisfaction Study assesses customer satisfaction with the claims experience on a 1,000-point scale
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Not Scored | Not Scored | 851/1000 |
AM BEST RATING
AM Best ratings assess companies’ financial strength based on historical ability to pay out claims, among other financial obligations
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A-(Excellent) | A(Excellent) | A+(Superior) |
Why you can trust Bankrate
Read our full methodologyOur insurance editorial team includes licensed agents with decades of combined experience, and we used our intimate knowledge of the industry to conduct this in-depth Bristol West insurance review.
46
years of industry expertise
122
carriers reviewed
34.5K
ZIP codes examined
1.2M
quotes analyzed
Is Bristol West a good insurance company?
Our insurance editorial team spends dozens of hours researching and evaluating insurance carriers to help our readers make informed choices about their coverage needs. Based on our Bristol insurance review, we determined the company may offer flexible options for high-risk drivers, but it has a limited number of advertised discounts available for additional savings.
The company’s rates are higher than average, and customer service metrics from NAIC indicate that some policyholders may not be satisfied with the service. If you are in the market for high-risk auto insurance, it may be worth researching some of the other best car insurance companies to see if you might find more discounts, better coverage options and potentially lower rates.
What are real-life customers saying about Bristol West?
While third-party data from J.D. Power and the NAIC are helpful when choosing an insurance company, reading reviews from real-life customers can provide some much-needed insight. To round out our Bristol West insurance review, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team looked at comments on various Reddit threads and pages. Reddit isn’t a formal review site, but it can be a great way to hear about what actual customers of a particular insurance company have to say.
The general consensus around Bristol West is mixed. Some drivers, particularly ones in the high-risk category, were happy to find that Bristol West’s quotes fit their budgets. Notably, many drivers with a DUI or poor credit pay more for their insurance, so finding affordable insurance can be extra challenging. But many Reddit users complained about the company’s autopay system, which some said charged unfair late fees, and a poor claims service.
*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.
Bristol West company details
- Customer service: 1-888-888-0080
- Claims: 1-800-274-7865
- Mailing address: Bristol West Claims Service, PO Box 258806, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8806
- Website: bristolwest.com
State availability
Bristol West offers personal auto insurance policies in 43 states. Policies are not available in AK, DE, HI, NC, RI, VT, WV or Washington, D.C.
Bristol West tools and benefits
Bristol West offers auto insurance geared toward high-risk drivers, but it recently expanded its offerings to include commercial car insurance in select states. In addition, the company has a free mobile app for iOS and Android devices where you can file claims, download ID cards, make payments, view your policy and more. Drivers who have experienced a car insurance lapse may also be interested in Bristol West, as the company may accept customers without prior car insurance.
Frequently asked questions about Bristol West
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze the latest rates in November 2024 for ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates include the most recent approved rate changes filed by insurance companies that affect our profile. These revised rates are then weighted based on the population density in each geographic region so that policyholders can see the impact rates have in their areas.
Quoted rates are based on a 40-year-old male and female driver with a clean driving record, good credit and the following full coverage limits:
- $100,000 bodily injury liability per person
- $300,000 bodily injury liability per accident
- $50,000 property damage liability per accident
- $100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per person
- $300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
- $500 collision deductible
- $500 comprehensive deductible
To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. Our base profile drivers own a 2022 Toyota Camry, commute five days a week and drive 12,000 miles annually.
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Age: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the ages 16-60 (base: 40 years) applied. Depending on age, drivers may be a renter or homeowner. Age is not a contributing rating factor in Hawaii and Massachusetts.
The rates for drivers ages 16-20 added to their parents' policy reflect the good student and driver's training discounts applied. The rates for drivers aged 16-20 on their own policy do not include the good student and driver's training discounts. Additionally, 25-year-old rates are based on the driver as a renter and 30+ on the driver as a homeowner.
Incidents: Rates were calculated by evaluating our base profile with the following incidents applied: clean record (base), single speeding ticket and single at-fault accident.
Credit-based insurance scores: Rates were calculated based on the following insurance credit tiers assigned to our drivers: “poor, average, good (base) and excellent.” Insurance credit tiers factor in your official credit scores but are not dependent on that variable alone. Four states prohibit or limit the use of credit as a rating factor in determining auto insurance rates: California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan.
Bankrate Scores
Our Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impact policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.
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Cost & ratings 50%
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Coverage & savings 30%
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Support 20%
Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.
What policyholders are saying about Bristol West
Bristol West has 24 reviews
Dive into community reviews below and see what others think about Bristol West.
To help serve you with relevant information, the customer reviews shown are limited to only those that this advertiser has received during the past 12 months.
recommend this insurer
In May 2024, Bankrate collaborated with market research firm SliceMR to survey over 1,500 insurance customers nationwide, asking policyholders to rate their insurer’s cost, coverage, customer support and overall experience on a five-point scale. Bankrate and SliceMR collected and analyzed these customer ratings, along with website analytics and responses to three open-ended questions regarding customer experience. Responses are based on individual policyholders’ policy details and personal experience, and therefore cannot be verified for accuracy. Users received an incentive for their feedback. All ratings are unedited and have not been reviewed or approved by insurance carriers. User-generated ratings are separate from carrier Bankrate Scores — which are calculated based on our proprietary methodology — and may not match.