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Since Bristol West is a high-risk insurer, its rates tend to be higher than average.
Bristol West has flexible coverage options and plenty of discounts perfect for drivers with bad driving records. Whether or not you’ve had trouble finding insurance as a high-risk driver, this page details all you need to know about Bristol West’s prices for auto insurance.
Editor’s note (last updated October 23, 2024): We have updated this guide with the latest pricing data, discounts, coverage features, coverage locations, cancellation policy, and contact information for Bristol West.
Auto insurance rates depend on factors like your financial record and accident history. The average annual insurance premium with Bristol West is $3,993, roughly twice the national average. Bristol West tends to be more expensive than most other insurance companies because it specializes in coverage for high-risk drivers. However, if you are a high-risk driver struggling to find affordable rates from standard providers, you may actually find Bristol West’s rates to be competitive.
Here are the average costs with Bristol West for various driver profiles and coverage levels:
Profile | Bristol West avg. annual cost |
---|---|
Full coverage | $3,993 |
Minimum coverage | $1,232 |
After a speeding ticket | $5,449 |
After an at-fault accident | $5,581 |
DUI | $6,429 |
Teens | $9,756 |
Although full coverage auto insurance may cost more upfront, it will lower the amount you would have to pay out of pocket in the event of an accident. Additionally, if you financed your vehicle, your lender usually requires full coverage.
Bristol West offers four ways to save with discounts:
Whereas standard car insurance carriers may disqualify high-risk drivers for coverage, Bristol West is a nonstandard insurer carrier that actually specializes in providing coverage for high-risk drivers.
You might be high-risk if:
Traffic incidents won’t stay on your record forever. Check your state’s record stipulations to see how long traffic violations will remain on your driving history.
As a subsidiary of Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, Bristol West has the backing of one of the largest property and casualty insurer groups in the U.S. Especially if you’re a high-risk driver or have poor or no credit history, having a personal insurer with strong financial backing will help you get your claim payouts quickly. Bristol West received an A rating from AM Best, indicating an “Excellent” claims-paying ability and credit quality.
When it comes to customer satisfaction, however, ratings are more mixed and Bristol West tends to receive more customer complaints, compared to other car insurance companies.
Bristol West offers a mobile app that lets iOS and Android users access their accounts and add insurance identification cards to their phones’ wallets for quick availability.
As a registered customer, you can access the following items via online and mobile app:
If you don’t want to use the mobile app, Bristol West offers a text alert program to send updates to your phone directly.
Sign up by logging into your online account and selecting Text Alert Preferences in your account settings. Bristol West can send reminders for missed and upcoming payments to up to three numbers. You can stop receiving text messages at any time by sending STOP to 41637.
Bristol West offers personal auto insurance coverage in 43 states. Its personal auto coverage is not available in the following areas:
Bristol West also offers commercial auto insurance in select states for small business owners with nine or fewer vehicles.
The best way to cancel your policy is to get in contact with Bristol West directly. Bristol West’s website lacks the option to cancel online, but you can reach an agent anytime to cancel via mail or phone. Addresses and phone numbers for any type of inquiry are below in the contact information section. Cancel anytime and receive a refund for the exact number of days your policy will become inactive. Depending on the state, you may have to pay a cancellation fee.
Bristol West has been offering private passenger coverage for over 50 years. In 1973, Bristol West began as an automobile insurance carrier based in Florida. Over the decades, Bristol West has grown to be a premier provider of specialized auto coverage, with a focus on high-risk drivers. Farmers acquired Bristol West in 2007.1
The simplest way to contact Bristol West is through your online account. You can access your account online or via its mobile app. Depending on your inquiry, you can also reach Bristol West by mail, phone, and fax.
To correspond via postal mail use the following contact information:
To correspond via phone, use the following numbers:
To correspond via fax for customer service, use the following number:2 888-888-0070.
Getting adequate insurance after an accident or speeding ticket can be a hassle if you don’t know where to look. If you’re looking for nonstandard insurers, Bristol West is a solid option that offers various discounts for high-risk drivers who may experience difficulties finding coverage elsewhere. However, when it comes to auto insurance, it’s always a good idea to shop around for the best fit for you. To learn more about Bristol West coverage, read our full Bristol West insurance review.
Yes, Bristol West offers rideshare coverage. If you drive for a service like Lyft or Uber, Bristol West will cover you while you are waiting for and completing ride requests. Most high-risk auto insurance companies do not offer rideshare coverage, making this a unique feature. If you add this coverage to your policy, Bristol West covers the period when you’re waiting for a new ride request. This ensures continuous protection throughout your driving session. To learn more, read our article about what rideshare drivers need to know about auto insurance.
Yes, Bristol West can file an SR-22 on your behalf. An SR-22 proves that you have an active insurance policy that meets your state’s minimum coverage.
Yes, Bristol West’s reinstatement policy allows you to reinstate your insurance within 10 days of cancellation without a lapse, or within 30 days with a lapse. To reinstate, customers can call Bristol West at (888) 888-0080.
No, Security National Auto and Bristol West are not the same insurance company. Bristol West is Security National Auto’s parent company. Security National Auto provides insurance to Florida and Texas residents through Bristol West’s services.
Farmers Insurance Group Acquires Bristol West Holdings. Insurance Journal. (2007, Jul 6).
https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2007/07/06/81458.htm
Contact Us. Bristol West. (2024).
https://www.bristolwest.com/home/contact