While some customers note higher premiums and limited digital tools, many appreciate the company’s ability to provide coverage for drivers who may not qualify with standard insurers, including those needing SR-22 or rideshare insurance. Bristol West’s focus on nonstandard auto insurance makes it a viable choice for drivers seeking specialized protection.
Bristol West Insurance Review (2025)
- Overall rating: fair(2.4/5 stars)
- Average cost: $2,220 for a 6-month policy
- Digital Experience Score: Good (3.2/5 stars)
Read more below to get a quote directly from Bristol West.
Reviewed By Tara Stumpf
Edited By Beth Swanson
Bristol West Insurance: A fair option for high-risk drivers
Decent coverage options and specialized policies for high-risk drivers earn Bristol West a fair rating from experts at The Zebra.
What customers like:
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Claims convenience: Multiple filing options make submitting claims simple and quick.
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Financial stability: Strong ratings indicate the carrier can pay claims during major events.
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Longevity: Established history suggests reliable long-term coverage.
What customers don't like:
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Communication gaps: Poor communication forces you to chase down claim updates.
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Claim risk: Unfair resolution can leave valid claims unpaid.
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Lacks integration: No integration means managing insurance separately from other accounts.
How The Zebra evaluates insurance companies
| Rating | Explanation | Star rating equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Subpar | Lowest ranking, suggesting instability or high risk | 0-1.9 |
| Fair | Somewhat stable but not consistently reliable | 2-2.9 |
| Good | Generally dependable with moderate stability | 3-3.9 |
| Solid | Strong, reliable and dependable with minor risks | 4-4.4 |
| Exceptional | Highest rating, indicating outstanding stability and reliability | 4.5-5 |
Methodology — how The Zebra reviews insurance companies
The team of insurance experts at The Zebra evaluates companies by focusing on customer experience first, with an emphasis on service quality, reliability, and ease of interaction. Unlike previous models, pricing is not scored but is instead presented separately as context for comparison.
Each category has been scored using a combination of our internal customer satisfaction survey results and published scores from reputable organizations such as AM Best and J.D. Power.
- Service Accessibility & Support Quality (25%): This category measures how easy it is to get help when needed, evaluating factors such as support channel availability (phone, chat, in-person, app), response times, agent knowledge, service hours, and language accessibility.
- Claims Experience (25%): This category assesses how smoothly the claims process works, considering ease of filing (online, app, or phone), transparency and communication, processing times, and fairness in dispute resolution.
- Digital Experience & Policy Management (25%): This category evaluates the convenience of managing your policy: this includes mobile app usability, website experience, account management, digital document access, self-service options, and platform integrations
- Trust & Reliability (25%): This category looks at a company’s overall reliability, measuring financial strength, market stability, regulatory history, communication transparency, and consistency in policy terms.
Price context: Pricing varies significantly based on individual circumstances and risk factors. Customers can evaluate cost-effectiveness based on their specific situation and the service quality scores provided.
How much is Bristol West car insurance?
Currently, the national average for a 6-month car insurance policy is $1,084, whereas Bristol West is about $2,220.
Updating data...
| Company | Liability only | Full coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Bristol West | $835 | $2,220 |
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.
See how Bristol West stacks up against competitors →
Discounts offered at Bristol West: on par with others
Bristol West has typical discounts you'd find at other insurance companies, but keep in mind that they are aiming to help high-risk drivers find coverage, not necessarily to make it cheap.
Along with the common options you'll find elsewhere (such as multi-car policy and good driver discounts), Bristol West also offers additional options where customers can save money. Here is a list of their discounts:
Paperless billing
Opt in for paperless billing to get a small discount.
Automatic payment
Enroll in automatic bill pay for some savings.
Continuous insurance
If you have a history of continuous car insurance coverage without any gaps, you may qualify for this discount.
| Multi-Policy Discount | Multi-Car Discount |
| Continuous Discount | New Car Discount |
| Early Purchase Discount | Anti-Theft Device Discount |
| Good Driver Discount | Eco-Friendly Car Discount |
| Defensive Driving Course Discount | Autopay Discount |
| Mature Driver Discount | Paperless Discount |
| Good Student Discount | Paid In Full Discount |
| Distant Student Discount | Good Payer Discount |
| Non-Owner Discount |
To learn more about each discount Bristol West has to offer, see their discounts page.
Compare with other companies
See how Bristol West stacks up against similar companies
Cost: $1,084 average cost for a six month policy
Customer satisfaction: Moderate
Our take:
- Smooth claims process
- Moderate customer satisfaction
- Reliable claims support
Cost: $1,534 for a six month auto policy
Customer satisfaction: Moderate
Our take:
- More expensive than Bristol West
- Similar coverage options for high risk drivers
- More discount options than Bristol West
Cost: $980 average cost for a six-month policy
Customer satisfaction: High
Our take:
- Cheaper prices than Bristol West
- More coverage options than Bristol West
- More discount options than Bristol West
Bristol West's customer service & claims experience: challenging with delays
Thinking about Bristol West?
See what other drivers are saying
Worst insurance
"Worse insurance company, worse customers, I DO NOT recommend this company. They will cancel your policy no notice, increase premium without notice and give you the runaround. I repeat DO NOT get insurance from this company. It will be worse decision you ever made."
-Consumer Affairs
Terrible experience
"Dealing with Bristol West has been a lesson in frustration and financial hardship. I strongly advise anyone considering Bristol West Auto Insurance to look elsewhere for coverage. Their unethical practices and poor customer service make them one of the worst insurance companies I have ever dealt with."
One star
"So inconsistent with the price that I am charged for. One month it's 300 and the next it would be 700. Was told multiple different reasons why my insurance was so high. One rep told me it is because the system changed my premium. The other didn't know."
-Yelp
How much will your rates climb after filing a claim with Bristol West?
No one wants to file a claim, but sometimes it happens anyway. See the table below for some examples of what you might be facing after filing a claim.
Updating data...
| Accident/Violation | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| None | $2,149 |
| One comp claim | $2,308 |
| Two comp claims | $2,478 |
| At-fault accident - greater than $2000 | $2,825 |
| At-fault accident - $1000-$2000 | $2,825 |
Source: The Zebra
Claims process: Straightforward but slow
Coverage options: Flexible and customizable
Beyond the standard coverage offerings you'd expect from any carrier (like liability, roadside assistance, rideshare coverage, and trailer damage coverage), Bristol West provides customers with additional coverage options to help them save money. See them below:
✔️ Rental reimbursement
✔️ Towing and roadside service
✔️ Permissive user coverage
Final thoughts: Is Bristol West Right for You?
Frequently Asked Questions about Bristol West
Get quotes from Bristol West and other top companies
Sources:
Data Methodology. The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool
Anonymized User Survey. The Zebra
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.