Bristol West insurance review 2025
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Reviewed by
Edited by
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At a glance
Auto
3.4
Cost & ratings
3.0
Coverage
3.5
Support
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 Insurance has been writing policies for car owners since 1973. From its beginnings in Florida, it has spread to 43 states. It is owned by Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, one of the largest insurers in the U.S.
Bristol West has earned a reputation for providing car insurance to drivers who have poor credit, or who have earned marks on their license and are now considered high-risk drivers. It offers basic policies that include liability insurance, as well as collision and comprehensive (often called full coverage), uninsured motorist insurance and rental reimbursement. It also has towing and roadside service as well as medical payments insurance. In some states, drivers can purchase permissive use and trailer damage coverage.
Bankrate has awarded Bristol West a Bankrate Score of 3.4 out of 5 points. The company has flexible payment methods and a financial strength rating of A (excellent) from AM Best. Its average rates, however, are on the high side, and it has a higher than average number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
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
- Above average NAIC complaint index
Bristol West car insurance cost
The average car insurance premium from Bristol West is $4,375 per year for a full coverage policy and $1,378 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 $2,685 for full coverage and $800 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
$4,375
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National full coverage premium
$2,685
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,077
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National full coverage premium
$4,712
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,466
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National full coverage premium
$3,293
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,418
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National full coverage premium
$3,884
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,686
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National full coverage premium
$5,225
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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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|---|---|---|
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$12,791
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National full coverage premium
$5,768
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|
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$11,979
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National full coverage premium
$4,968
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$8,768
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National full coverage premium
$5,464
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$5,690
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National full coverage premium
$3,320
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,819
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National full coverage premium
$2,877
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,375
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National full coverage premium
$2,685
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Bristol West full coverage premium
$4,388
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National full coverage premium
$2,422
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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 rate; 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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$4,375
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$1,378
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$2,910
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$943
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$2,347
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$733
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$3,303
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$942
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$2,049
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$589
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$1,947
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$699
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$2,818
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$903
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$2,121
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$656
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$2,192
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$723
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$1,810
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$490
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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:
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Featured
Bristol West
3.4
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 3.0Coverage 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
4.1
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 3.8Coverage 4.3Support 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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| $4,375 | $2,538 |
$2,347 |
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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 |
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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 |
$2,535 |
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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 |
697/1000 |
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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 methodologyThe insurance market can be complicated, but Bankrate's insurance editorial team used our unique perspective to bring readers the information they need to make educated decisions when shopping for a policy.
78
years of industry experience
9
licensed staff
34.5K
ZIP codes examined
120
carriers reviewed
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
Rates
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze April 2025 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates for our base profile are based on the following characteristics and full coverage limits with bundling and paperless billing discounts applied:
Bodily injury liability
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$50,000 per accidentPersonal injury protection
$100,000 per accidentUninsured motorist bodily injury
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Collision deductible
$500Comprehensive deductible
$500To determine minimum coverage limits, Bankrate used minimum coverage that meets each state’s requirements. These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes. Your quotes will differ.
If otherwise specified, the base profile has been modified with the following driver characteristics:
Other profiles
Bankrate Score
Our 2025 Bankrate Score for auto insurance considers key variables that our insurance editorial team determined impact policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These factors include a robust assessment of each company’s cost of coverage, product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. We grouped these factors into three essential categories — cost and ratings, coverage and savings, and support — which we then weighted in a tiered approach.
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.
- Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto insurance companies satisfy these priorities, our team analyzed quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
- Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated the discount options listed on each company’s website.
- Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored in a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.
Tier scores are unweighted to show the company's true score in each category out of a possible five points.
What policyholders are saying about Bristol West
Bristol West has 51 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.
Community Reviews
