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Last updated: April 1, 2025

Bristol West Car Insurance Pricing 2025

Since Bristol West is a high-risk insurer, its rates tend to be higher than average.

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Bristol West offers flexible coverage options and a range of discounts for high-risk drivers. If you’re a high-risk driver struggling to find affordable insurance, this guide covers all you need to know about Bristol West’s auto insurance.

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Car Insurance Rates for Bristol West Auto Insurance

Auto insurance rates depend on factors like your financial record and accident history. The average annual insurance premium with Bristol West is $3,584, roughly 50 percent more than the national average. Since Bristol West specializes in coverage for high-risk drivers, its rates tend to be higher than standard issuers. However, if you are a high-risk driver struggling to find affordable rates from standard providers, you may find Bristol West’s rates competitive.

Here are the average costs with Bristol West for various driver profiles and coverage levels:

Profile Bristol West avg. annual cost
Full coverage $3,584
Minimum coverage $2,295
After a speeding ticket $4,338
After an at-fault accident $4,473
DUI $4,335
Teens $8,352

FYI:

Full coverage auto insurance costs more upfront, but it reduces out-of-pocket costs in the event of an accident. Additionally, if you financed your vehicle, your lender usually requires full coverage.

Discounts With Bristol West

Bristol West offers four ways to save with discounts:

  • Sign up for automatic payments
  • Opt to go paperless
  • Maintain a good driving record
  • Buy multiple policies from Bristol West, Farmers, or Foremost Insurance.

Key Features

High-Risk Driver Protection

Whereas standard car insurance carriers may disqualify high-risk drivers for coverage, Bristol West specializes in providing coverage for high-risk drivers.

You might considered a high-risk driver if you have:

  • Multiple traffic violations, such as speeding tickets.
  • Conviction for a serious offense, such as a DUI.
  • Poor credit score.
  • Lapse in coverage.
  • Newly licensed and have little driving experience.

NOTE:

Traffic incidents won’t stay on your record forever. Check your state’s laws to see how long traffic violations will remain on your driving history. Insurance companies tend to look three to five years back on your record when assessing your risk level.

Strong Financial Backing

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.

Customer satisfaction ratings are mixed, with Bristol West receiving more customer complaints than other car insurance companies.

Mobile App

Bristol West offers a mobile app for iOS and Android, allowing you to easily access your account and add insurance ID cards to your phones’ wallets for quick access.

As a registered customer, you can access the following items via online and mobile app:

  • Policy ID card
  • Policy details
  • Claim reporting and status
  • Payment submission and status
  • Personal account information
  • Agent contact details

Text Alert Program

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 opt out at any time by sending STOP to 41637.

Where Does Bristol West Provide Coverage?

Bristol West offers personal auto insurance coverage in 43 states. Its personal auto coverage is not available in the following areas:

  • Alaska
  • California
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Montana
  • Wyoming

Bristol West also offers commercial auto insurance in select states for small business owners with nine or fewer vehicles.

Cancellation Policy

The best way to cancel your policy is to get in contact with Bristol West directly. The company doesn’t offer online cancellations, but you can reach an agent anytime to cancel via mail or phone. If you cancel, you’ll receive a refund for the unused portion of your policy. Depending on your state, you may have to pay a cancellation fee.

Company Background

Bristol West has been offering private passenger coverage since 1973. It 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

Bristol West Contact Information

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:

  • For claims: 
    • Bristol West Claims Service
    • P.O. Box 258806
    • Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8806
  • For general inquiries: 
    • Bristol West Insurance Group
    • P.O. Box 248834
    • Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8834
  • For payments in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Texas:
    • Bristol West Insurance Group
    • P.O. Box 7142
    • Pasadena, CA 91109-7142
  • For payments in other states: 
    • Bristol West Insurance Group
    • P.O. Box 371329
    • Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7329

To correspond via phone, use the following numbers:

      • For claims: 800-274-7865
      • For payment and billing 24/7: 888-888-0080
      • For customer service, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. (local time): 888-888-0080
      • For fraud reporting: 888-662-6616

To correspond via fax for customer service, use the following number:2 888-888-0070.

Conclusion

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bristol West a real insurance company?

Yes, Bristol West is owned by Farmers Insurance Group, one of the major insurance groups in America. The company has been insuring customers since 1973.

Why is Bristol West so expensive?

Bristol West’s premiums are more expensive because it specializes in non-standard insurance and provides coverage for high-risk drivers. On average, its full-coverage rates are about 49 percent higher than the national average.

Does Bristol West offer rideshare coverage?

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. This ensures continuous protection throughout your driving session. Most high-risk auto insurance companies do not offer rideshare coverage, making this a unique feature. Here’s what rideshare drivers need to know about auto insurance.

Can I get an SR-22 from Bristol West?

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.

Can I reinstate my policy with Bristol West if I cancel?

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.

Tracy S Lee Bio Pic
Written by:Tracy S. Lee
Staff Writer
Tracy S. Lee holds over 10 years of professional experience in writing, research, and storytelling for brands and individuals. She understands that the world of auto insurance can feel intimidating, like learning a new language, and she is committed to empowering consumers to ask more questions and to find the best protection and coverage to suit their specific needs. Tracy received a B.A. in Creative Writing at NYU’s Gallatin School of Individualized Studies.

Citations

  1. Farmers Insurance State Availability. Farmers Insurance. (n.d.).
    https://www.farmers.com/companies/state/

  2. Farmers Insurance Group Acquires Bristol West Holdings. Insurance Journal. (2007, Jul 6).
    https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2007/07/06/81458.htm

  3. Contact Bristol West. Bristol West Insurance. (n.d.).
    https://www.bristolwest.com/home/contact