Bristol West Insurance Review
- With 1.8/5 stars in 2024, Bristol West is a below average insurance company.
- Read Bristol West reviews, complaints and prices before you buy.
Bristol West insurance: Ratings and reviews
As part of the Farmers Insurance Group, Bristol West may be a good option for those who expect a lot of features and options but lack the credit or insurance history to afford coverage elsewhere. However, policies are significantly more expensive than average, so be prepared for possible sticker shock. Bristol West operates in 43 states and as a Farmers company, has a lot to offer as far as extra coverages and discounts.
Continue reading to see reviews, rates and more details about Bristol West and what it has to offer drivers.
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Good for those with poor credit
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Mobile app for policy management
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Available in most states
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May be expensive
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Above average number of customer complaints
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Not all coverage options available in every state
Is Bristol West a good insurance company?
The majority of The Zebra's review incorporates how well Bristol West scores in terms of customer service. In order to determine that we looked at the following third-party ratings.
Trustpilot Reviews: 2/5
- Trustpilot gave Bristol West a 2/5 rating[1]
Complaint Index: Above average
- The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) receives Above average customer complaints for Bristol West[2]
Financial Strength: Excellent/Good
- Bristol West received a rating of Excellent/Good for financial strength from A.M. Best for its ability to pay out claims[3]
The Zebra Customer Satisfaction Survey
In addition to third-party ratings, we like to incorporate the results from our own consumer survey where we ranked which auto insurance companies are the best based on feedback from real customers. However, we did not collect a sufficient amount of data on Bristol West for it to be included.
How much does Bristol West insurance cost?
Currently, the national average for a 6-month car insurance policy is $1093, whereas Bristol West is about $1709 or roughly 94% more expensive than a typical policy, so it is decidedly not one of the cheapest auto insurance options available, but rates will vary based on your individual rating factors.
The cost of a Bristol West car insurance policy varies based on factors such as the driver's history, vehicle and location. It's always recommended to obtain a personalized quote for the most accurate pricing.
The table below shows how Bristol West auto insurance compares against other top insurers.
Updating data...
| Company | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| USAA | $114 |
| GEICO | $129 |
| State Farm | $131 |
| Amica Mutual | $144 |
| Farmers | $149 |
| Progressive | $157 |
| Allstate | $201 |
| Bristol West | $285 |
Source: The Zebra
Like with other insurance companies, pricing for Bristol West auto insurance does vary based on your age and generally will get cheaper the older you get.Â
The table below shows Bristol West average car insurance premiums for different age brackets.Â
Updating data...
| Age Group | Avg. Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| Teens | $710 |
| 20s | $342 |
| 30s | $285 |
| 40s | $283 |
| 60s | $282 |
| 50s | $272 |
Source: The Zebra
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
Discounts offered
Auto insurance discounts are dependent on qualifications and state availability. Here are a few options for discounts available with Bristol West.
- Good driver discount: Get a discount for having a good driving history free of accidents and violations.
- Paperless billing discount:Â Opt in for paperless billing to get a small discount.
- Automatic payment discount:Â Enroll in automatic bill pay for some savings.
- Multiple policy discounts (with Farmers, Foremost or Bristol West): Bundling auto insurance with another policy like home or life insurance results in a bundling discount.
Bristol West may have even more ways to save, so ask your agent about other discounts you may be eligible for.
Search, compare and buy all on one site. Start saving today!
What types of coverage does Bristol West offer?
Bristol West offers standard auto insurance coverage, including liability, collision, comprehensive, uninsured motorist and medical payments. Additional coverage options include:
- Roadside assistance:Â If you experience a flat tire, lockout, battery or other mechanical issues, this coverage lets you summon roadside assistance.
- Permissive user:Â This lets a person not listed on your policy to infrequently drive your vehicle.
- Rideshare coverage:Â If you drive for a rideshare app, this provides additional protection.
- Trailer damage coverage:Â This provides liability coverage for a trailer that's attached to the covered vehicle.
- Rental car reimbursement:Â If you rent a car, your Bristol West policy extends to the rental vehicle.
The company specializes in providing coverage to high-risk drivers who might have difficulty securing insurance elsewhere. Keep in mind that not all coverages are available in all locations.
Coverage for high-risk drivers
Not all companies are able to offer affordable insurance (or any auto insurance, at all) to high-risk drivers. However, Bristol West makes it a goal to offer coverage to those who may face challenges finding car insurance. For drivers who've experienced a lack of consistent insurance history, need an SR-22 or FR-44 or have had DUI/DWI convictions in the past, it may be able to get you the right policy to meet your needs. It also offers coverage for those who need affordable insurance as a non-owner of a vehicle, or those who need specific rideshare coverage.
Bristol West insurance review: Summary
Bristol West, a member of the Farmers Insurance Group, provides auto insurance coverage in most states across the country. The company has a special focus on high-risk drivers and offers a mobile app for convenient policy management. However, some customers have reported higher rates, and not all coverage options may be available in every state. It's recommended to request a personalized quote and compare coverages to make the most informed insurance decision for your needs.
Methodology — how The Zebra reviews insurance companies
The team of insurance experts at The Zebra considers the company's standing in five main categories to come up with an overall rating. These metrics are weighted according to importance and are detailed below:
- Price (20%): Using the base profile detailed below, we compared the company's average rate with the national average. If it surpassed this average, we gave a lower rating; if it fell below, we awarded a higher rating.
- Coverage (20%): The highest-scoring companies offer a variety of coverage options, including bundling options, roadside assistance, telematics, beyond-basic coverage levels, and a variety of other coverage types.
- Customer service (30%): We averaged ratings from JD Power, the NAIC complaint index to come up with a rating for the company's customer service. In instances when a company is not rated, we may use alternative rating agencies such as the Better Business Bureau and Trust Pilot.
- Financial strength (10%): We use AM Best to determine a company's financial standing. In some cases when a company is not rated by AM Best, we may use an alternative measure such as Demotech.
- The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey (20%): The Zebra conducts an annual survey measuring customer satisfaction for many of the top insurance companies with the goal of ranking both the best auto insurance companies and best home insurance companies. Read more below.
For our auto insurance review, we analyzed more than 83 million insurance rates spanning every U.S. ZIP code using a sample user profile: a 30-year-old single male driver with a Honda Accord, good credit and full coverage at these levels:
- $50,000 per person/$100,000 per incident for bodily injury liability
- $50,000 per incident for property damage liability
- $500 deductibles for collision and comprehensive coverage
For our home insurance review, rates are based on a sample user profile: a 45-year-old married homeowner living in a 2,500-square-foot single-story home built in 2011 with these coverage levels:
- $200,000 for the dwelling
- $20,000 for other structures
- $100,000 for personal property
- $100,000 for personal liability
- $1,000 deductible
These sample premiums are dynamic and automatically refresh whenever the newest data is made available.
To generate pricing for particular rating factors, we adjusted this profile based on common pricing factors used by major car insurance companies. These factors include credit score, coverage level and others.
For The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey, findings are based on an online quantitative survey of 4,134 current U.S. auto and home insurance customers, with Census-balanced sampling by age, gender and region. Categories with n=<20 responses are considered insufficient sample size and are not reported. This survey was developed by The Zebra and executed by independent research firm Maru/Blue in 2023.
Bristol West insurance: Frequently asked questions
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About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.