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.
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
Here’s a look at what some real Bristol West customers have to say about their experience with this insurance company.
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).
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:
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.
If you want to know more about Bristol West insurance coverage, check out the additional information below.
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.
While individual premiums vary by location and other personal factors, Bristol West car insurance coverage costs an average of $102 per month for liability coverage and $212 for full coverage.
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.
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.
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.
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