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Bristol West insurance review 2024

Updated Nov 26, 2024
  • At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict ,this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of .Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our .

At a glance

3.0
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
Bankrate Score
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Auto

Rating: 3 stars out of 5

3.0

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Cost & ratings

Rating: 2.3 stars out of 5

2.3

Coverage

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5

3.5

Support

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

4.0

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:

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Sells car insurance to high-risk drivers
  • Easy to get a quote online
  • Mobile app allows you to virtually manage your policy
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Higher-than-average premiums
  • No discounts mentioned online
  • Policies not available in every state
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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.

Good driver, good credit
Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,343
National full coverage premium
$2,458
Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,145
National full coverage premium
$4,502
Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,418
National full coverage premium
$2,975
Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,329
National full coverage premium
$3,508
Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,629
National full coverage premium
$4,713
*All rates displayed are average annual rates.

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.

Bristol West full coverage premium
$12,550
National full coverage premium
$5,229
Bristol West full coverage premium
$11,687
National full coverage premium
$4,501
Bristol West full coverage premium
$8,686
National full coverage premium
$4,972
Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,652
National full coverage premium
$3,031
Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,797
National full coverage premium
$2,622
Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,343
National full coverage premium
$2,458
Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,352
National full coverage premium
$2,220
Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,343
National full coverage premium
$2,458
Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,352
National full coverage premium
$2,220
*All rates displayed are average annual rates. Rates are based on our good driver profile, with 16- and 18-year-old drivers added to their parents’ policy.

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.

$4,343
$1,146
$3,060
$987
$2,418
$706
$3,081
$925
$1,992
$585
$1,934
$697
$2,688
$886
$1,996
$543
$2,127
$767
$1,775
$463
$1,934
$697
$2,688
$886
$1,996
$543
$2,127
$767
$1,775
$463
*All rates displayed are average annual rates.

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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This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

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.

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Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)

Advertising disclosure
This advertisement is powered by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. The offers and links that appear on this advertisement are from companies that compensate Coverage.com in different ways. The compensation received and other factors, such as your location, may impact what offers and links appear, and how, where and in what order they appear. While we seek to provide a wide range of offers, we do not include every product or service that may be available. Our goal is to keep information accurate and timely, but some information may not be current. Your actual offer from an advertiser may be different from the offer on this advertisement. All offers are subject to additional terms and conditions.

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:

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Bristol West

Bristol West
Rating: 3 stars out of 5
3.0
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Cost & ratings

Rating: 2.3 stars out of 5
2.3

Coverage

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
3.5

Support

Rating: 4 stars out of 5
4.0

The General

The General
Rating: 3.3 stars out of 5
3.3
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Cost & ratings

Rating: 3 stars out of 5
3.0

Coverage

Rating: 3.5 stars out of 5
3.5

Support

Rating: 3.9 stars out of 5
3.9

Progressive

Progressive
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
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Cost & ratings

Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2

Coverage

Rating: 5 stars out of 5
5.0

Support

Rating: 4.3 stars out of 5
4.3
OVERVIEW
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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.
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.
STANDOUT FEATURES
Info Icon
Auto Car Icon
Specializes in high-risk drivers
Loan Icon
Flexible payment plans
CD Icon
SR-22s and non-owner insurance
Online Reviews Icon
Digital policy management tools
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Nationwide coverage
CD Icon
SR-22 filing options
AVG FULL COV. AUTO RATE
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$2,567 $2,418
J.D. POWER AUTO SCORE
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Not Scored 672/1000
AVG HOME RATE
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No rates available $2,485
J.D. POWER HOME SCORE
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Not Scored 851/1000
AM BEST RATING
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A(Excellent) A+(Superior)
Bankrate logo

Why you can trust Bankrate

Read our full methodology

Our 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.

Reddit User 1*
Jan 18, 2019
Low rates
I used 21st Century and they switched me to Bristol West. I liked the low rate and filed a claim for an uninsured driver (someone hit my car in a parking lot and drove off) and everything went very smoothly. No complaints. Bristol West since then handed my account off to Foremost and they've been satisfactory as well.
via Reddit
Reddit User 2*
Jan 18, 2019
Poor claims service
They specialize in high-risk clients, i.e. young drivers, drivers with DUIs, etc. I wouldn't recommend them to someone who qualifies for standard market insurance at a reasonable rate, which you don't due to your age. They make up for their low rates by providing relatively poor claims service compared to other standard market carriers.
via Reddit

*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.

5
Rating: 5 stars out of 5
Overall Score
  • Cost & ratings 50%
  • Coverage & savings 30%
  • 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

CTA Bristol West has 24 reviews

Bristol West has 24 reviews

Dive into community reviews below and see what others think about Bristol West.

3.4 Star Icon
24 ratings
Info Icon
54% of consumers
recommend this insurer
Score breakdown
5 stars
25%
4 stars
29%
3 stars
25%
2 stars
4%
1 star
17%
Score by category
Overall rating 3.4 / 5
Original cost 3.4 / 5
Coverage 3.9 / 5
Customer Support 3.7 / 5
Verified Badge Icon How we got these ratings

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.

Community Reviews

See what users like you are saying about Bristol West.
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Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
Because I pay way too much for PIP
Name the number one reason that you’d recommend staying with this insurer and the number one reason that you’d consider leaving for a different company.
They were the only ones that would insure me. I will go with a different company if it is cheaper
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 1 / 5
Customer Support 1 / 5
Coverage 5 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
Price and a family member recommendation
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
Price stays the same
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 3 / 5
Customer Support 4 / 5
Coverage 4 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
It was the cheapest and non license
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
Prepare and do ur footwork
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 2 / 5
Customer Support 2 / 5
Coverage 3 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
The customer service is friendly and very helpful. Rates are reasonable.
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
The staff is way more helpful and rates are cheaper
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 3 / 5
Customer Support 5 / 5
Coverage 3 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
Its cheaper
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
It’s a good one
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 2 / 5
Customer Support 2 / 5
Coverage 2 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
Because it had amazing reviews and my family and friends had recommended it to me, I don't regret my choices at all
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
When buying insurance it's so hard, but with this is easy and I don't have to worry about things other people worry about when it comes to that
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 3 / 5
Customer Support 3 / 5
Coverage 4 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
I felt that they had sufficient coverage for what I required.
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
This isn't the best company in terms of customer service. However, they aren't terrible.
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 5 / 5
Customer Support 4 / 5
Coverage 5 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
How does this insurer compare to insurance companies you’ve had in the past?
Excellent. Very communicative, helpful, and kind.
Name the number one reason that you’d recommend staying with this insurer and the number one reason that you’d consider leaving for a different company.
They make the experience feel personal rather than business.
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 4 / 5
Customer Support 4 / 5
Coverage 5 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
The price was lower than other choices, although I still feel the price is high. Also, they offered the ability to combine both mine and my domestic partners auto insurance needs into one policy, one combined payment. A lot of companies I contacted werent willing to do so because we are not married, even though living at same address.
Name the number one reason that you’d recommend staying with this insurer and the number one reason that you’d consider leaving for a different company.
The number one reason I would stay is ease of maintaining policy with Bristol West, including easy to make changes online or by phone through my Insurance agent. The reason I would consider leaving would be finding a company that offered a noticeable savings as long as they provided the coverage and terms I need.
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 4 / 5
Customer Support 3 / 5
Coverage 5 / 5
Anonymous Policyholder
August 20, 2024
What made you choose this insurer over others for your auto and/or home insurance?
Over 25 years ago my husbands grandmother was killed in a car crash and subsequently died. Her home had gone into foreclosure and we saved it to keep it in the family. We had mandatory insurance on the home with Farmers insurance. Our usual guy retired and the new guy took over our insurance. He found us better rates at Bristol West and sent our info there. The broker is over an hour away but we liked how they conducted their business so we stay.
Name the number one reason that you’d recommend staying with this insurer and the number one reason that you’d consider leaving for a different company.
One reason that I would recommend this insurer is that they understand what you are going thru. If you are struggling with cost, they will do anything to save you money. In saying that not all insurers with the company are quite so understanding and that leaves a bad taste in your mouth and would cause you to leave for another company.
Insurance Type
Auto
Score by category
Original cost 3 / 5
Customer Support 5 / 5
Coverage 4 / 5
Written by
Natalie Todoroff
Writer, Insurance
Natalie Todoroff is an insurance writer and industry analyst for Bankrate. She is based in San Francisco and holds a personal lines insurance license.
Edited by Editor, Insurance
Reviewed by Director of corporate communications, Insurance Information Institute