- Covers high-risk drivers including DUIs and poor credit.
- Files SR-22 and FR-44 forms.
- AM Best A (Excellent) financial strength.
- Rideshare coverage available.
- Rates well above the national average.
- High NAIC complaint volume.
- Very limited discount menu.
- Not rated by JD Power or CRASH Network.
Bristol West car insurance: Jerry’s verdict
Bristol West has been covering high-risk drivers since 1973. As a subsidiary of Farmers Insurance Group, it brings real financial backing to a market segment where that is not always the case. But it also brings rates that are among the highest in this review set and a complaint volume that is hard to overlook.
Founded in Florida and now operating in 43 states, Bristol West is a member of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, one of the largest insurance organizations in the United States. It holds an AM Best Financial Strength Rating of A (Excellent), reflecting a solid ability to pay claims. It will insure drivers with DUIs, multiple violations, lapsed policies or poor credit — profiles that many standard carriers decline. It files SR-22 and FR-44 forms for drivers and does not deny coverage based on prior insurance gaps.
The service picture is less encouraging, though. Bristol West’s NAIC complaint index runs high for private passenger auto customers, meaning it receives more than the expected number of complaints for a company of its size. Unexpected renewal rate increases are one of the most consistent customer complaints and the discount menu is nearly nonexistent; Bristol West does not publicly advertise car insurance discounts and offers very few confirmed ways to reduce your base rate. Plus, it is not rated by JD Power or included in the 2026 CRASH Network Insurer Report Card.
For drivers who have been declined by standard carriers and need coverage to stay legally on the road, Bristol West is a legitimate option. But it’s not the only one. Compare your options through Jerry — including coverage from insurers like Dairyland, The General and National General — before deciding so you can best balance pricing with service.
Who Bristol West is best and worst for
A high-risk driver who needs SR-22 or FR-44 filing. Bristol West files both forms on behalf of policyholders, including for DUI violations, and explicitly does not decline coverage based on poor credit or gaps in prior insurance.
A driver who has been declined by standard carriers. Bristol West’s core purpose is covering drivers who don’t qualify elsewhere. If you’ve been turned down due to your record or insurance history, Bristol West is a realistic path to coverage in the 43 states where it operates.
Someone who needs rideshare coverage alongside a non-standard policy. Bristol West offers rideshare coverage as an add-on, a feature that is not universal in the non-standard market and useful for drivers who work for Uber, Lyft or similar platforms.
A driver with a clean record looking for competitive rates. Bristol West’s rates run well above the national average even for drivers who qualify for standard coverage elsewhere. Drivers with other options will almost always pay significantly less with a different carrier.
Someone who prioritizes claims satisfaction. Bristol West’s high NAIC complaint volume shows a documented pattern of rate increases and billing disputes, suggesting more customer friction than the industry average.
A driver outside its 43-state coverage area. Bristol West does not offer policies in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont or West Virginia, or in Washington, D.C.
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Learn more: Full coverage vs. liability-only insurance
How much does Bristol West car insurance cost?
The average cost for car insurance coverage with Bristol West is $224 per month among Jerry drivers, about 24% more than the national average.Your premium is determined by a number of factors, including your age, location, the type and age of your vehicle, your driving record, other drivers on your policy and the amount of coverage you want.
Based on our analysis of 1,550,201 real Bristol West customers who bought through Jerry, here are the typical monthly premiums by driver coverage level:
Minimum
$85 – $207/mo
Meets state minimum liability requirements to keep costs low, but doesn’t cover damage to your own car.
Full
$176 – $439/mo
Adds collision and comprehensive coverage for your vehicle, which is often required if your car is financed or leased.
Standard
$231 – $528/mo
Includes uninsured motorist and medical payments coverage, which is especially valuable since nearly 18% of drivers nationwide are uninsured.
Preferred
$280 – $616/mo
Offers higher liability, lower deductibles and extras like towing and rental reimbursement for maximum protection.
Key takeaway: To figure out the right coverage for you, start with your comfort level around risk and what your car is worth. Then let Jerry show you what each option costs in real time.
Learn more: Best car insurance companies
Industry ratings of Bristol West car insurance
Bristol West’s financial strength is its strongest benchmark. Complaint volume and the absence of JD Power and CRASH Network ratings are the most significant gaps.
| Rating | Bristol West’s score |
| NAIC consumer complaint index (2025) | High (1.59). |
| CRASH Network report card (2026) | N/A. |
| JD Power auto insurance shopping study (2025) | N/A. |
| JD Power auto insurance claims study (2025) | N/A. |
| AM Best (2025) | A (Excellent). |
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NAIC details
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CRASH Network details
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JD Power details
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AM Best details
Jerry pulls up to 20 quotes from top rated carriers.
Bristol West car insurance coverage options
Bristol West’s product is deliberately basic. It covers the standard requirements — collision, comprehensive, bodily injury liability, property damage liability, medical expense, personal injury protection (PIP) and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage — without a deep add-on menu, which is consistent with its focus on access over customization.
Some optional add-ons include:
- Rental reimbursement, for up to $50 per day for up to 30 days while your vehicle is being repaired after a covered claim.
- Roadside assistance to cover towing, flat tire, battery jump-start and fuel delivery.
- Rideshare coverage that extends your personal auto coverage for periods when you’re driving for a rideshare platform such as Uber or Lyft.
- SR-22 and FR-44 filing; Bristol West files these certificates on behalf of policyholders who require them, including for DUI violations.
Bristol West does not offer gap insurance, accident forgiveness, new car replacement or most other add-ons available from standard carriers.
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Coverage Definitions
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Who it pays: The other person, for injuries when you’re at fault in a crash.
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What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages and legal costs for people injured in an accident you cause.
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How it pays: Up to your policy limits, shown as two numbers. For example, 50/100 means $50K per person and $100K per accident.*
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Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least 100/300.
Property damage liability (PD)
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Who it pays: The other person, for property you damage in a crash.
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What it covers: Costs to repair or replace another person’s car, fence, mailbox or other property you hit.
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How it pays: Up to your policy’s limit. For example, $50K.*
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Do you need it? Required by law in every state except New Hampshire. Your state sets a minimum, but Jerry recommends considering limits of at least $100K.
*Bodily injury liability and property damage liability are typically shown as three numbers on your policy, like 100/300/100. The first two numbers represent your bodily injury limits per person and per accident, while the third number represents your property damage limit.
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Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
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What it covers: Costs to repair or replace your own car after a crash with another car or object, like a guardrail or pole.
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How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
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Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
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Who it pays: You, for damage to your own car.
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What it covers: Damage from non-crash events like theft, vandalism, hail, flooding, falling trees, fire or hitting an animal.
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How it pays: You pay a deductible first, then insurance covers the rest, typically up to your car’s current market value.
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Do you need it? Required if you’re financing or leasing your car. Optional otherwise, but recommended if your car is worth more than $5,000. May not be worthwhile for older, lower-value cars.
Uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM)
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for injuries and property damage.
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What it covers: Your own injuries and property damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your costs, including hit-and-runs in many states.
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How it pays: Up to your chosen limits, which often match your BI limits. There’s usually no deductible for UM, but UIM may have one.
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Do you need it? Required in some states, but Jerry recommends every driver get it, since about 1 in 8 drivers does not have car insurance.
Personal injury protection (PIP)
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills and lost income, no matter who caused the accident.
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What it covers: Medical bills, lost wages, childcare, funeral costs and other expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
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How it pays: Up to your policy limit. There’s usually no deductible, though this varies by state.
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Do you need it? Required in no-fault states. If available in your state, it’s worth considering.
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Who it pays: You and your passengers, for medical bills.
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What it covers: Medical expenses after an accident, regardless of fault.
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How it pays: No deductible. Pays up to your policy’s limit.
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Do you need it? Optional in most states, but can be valuable if you don’t have health insurance or have a high-deductible health plan.
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Bristol West car insurance discounts
Bristol West does not publicly advertise discounts on its website, but a small number of savings opportunities may be available through an agent:
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Good driver. Clean or improved driving record.
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Paperless. Enroll in electronic billing and documents.
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Autopay. Set up automatic monthly payments.
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Multi-policy. Bundle auto with another Bristol West or Farmers-affiliated policy where available.
Contact a Bristol West independent agent directly to confirm which discounts apply in your state, as availability is not published online.
Does Bristol West offer insurance based on driving behavior?
Jerry helps you bundle home and auto for less in just minutes.
No. Bristol West does not currently offer a telematics or usage-based insurance program.
Filing a claim with Bristol West
Bristol West offers multiple ways for filing a claim and managing it once filed.
Filing online or by phone
Claims can be filed online at bristolwest.com at any time, or by calling 1-800-274-7865. Phone claims service is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST. Online filing is available 24/7.
Work with a claims representative
After filing, Bristol West assigns a representative to assess the damage and guide you through the process. Given the high NAIC complaint volume and documented patterns of slow communication, document every interaction from the moment you file: dates, names and what was discussed. If you don’t hear back within a reasonable time, follow up in writing.
Repair and rental
If you have rental reimbursement coverage, Bristol West reimburses up to $50 per day for up to 30 days while your car is being repaired.
Settlement or payout
For total losses, Bristol West settles based on actual cash value (ACV). There is no new car replacement or gap coverage available through Bristol West.
Customer reviews of Bristol West
Hundreds of Jerry customers have reviewed Bristol West auto insurance and have given the company a solid overall score. Beyond price, Jerry customers most frequently praise Bristol West for its customer service and mobile app.
Is Bristol West a good insurance company?
Bristol West fills a real need for drivers who have exhausted standard market options. Its Farmers Group financial backing, SR-22 and FR-44 capability and 43-state availability make it a functional choice for high-risk drivers who need to be insured and can’t find coverage elsewhere.
The complaint volume is the most significant concern in this profile. A NAIC index around 2.0 means the claims and billing experience generates meaningful friction for a substantial portion of policyholders, and the pattern of unexplained rate increases that shows up consistently in customer reviews adds to that picture.
If Bristol West is your only realistic option, it will get you covered with a carrier that can pay claims. But use Jerry to compare it against Dairyland, The General and National General before committing. The differences in pricing, financial strength and complaint volume across that group are real and worth knowing.
See coverage options for your car.
How to contact Bristol West
You can compare Bristol West against other carriers and get a quote through Jerry. To manage an existing policy or file a claim, contact Bristol West directly.
- App: Bristol West (iOS and Android)
- Customer service: 1-888-888-0080 (Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. CST; Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST)
- Claims (online 24/7 or phone): bristolwest.com or 1-800-274-7865 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST)
Related guides
FAQ
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What are the pros and cons of Bristol West car insurance?
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Does Bristol West file SR-22s?
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Does Bristol West deny coverage for poor credit?
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What states does Bristol West operate in?
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Does Bristol West offer usage-based insurance?
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How do I file a claim with Bristol West?
Drivers who switch with Jerry save an average of $54/mo on car insurance.
Methodology
We looked at over 400,000 actual policies quotes from real Jerry customers during 2024 across 24 different insurance companies. The pricing data included both those with clean driving records as well as those with a violation.
How we rate car insurance companies
Jerry’s team of car insurance expert writers and editors analyze real customer ratings and industry reports to get a holistic view of an insurer’s performance. Our rubric emphasizes the shopping and claims experiences, customer complaints and reviews, repair shops’ evaluations of insurers, policy and quote pricing, and state availability.
We regularly reassess insurers’ star ratings and fact-check these reviews to ensure they’re accurate and up-to-date.
These individual factors roll up into one weighting system as follows:
20% Financial strength.
20% Complaints.
20% Industry ratings.
20% Customer ratings.
20% Cost and discounts.
Stephanie Colestock is a professional writer, CFEI®, and licensed insurance agent specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, loans, credit/debt, investing, retirement planning, and banking.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Business Insider, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys SCUBA diving, reading a good book, and traveling the world with her family.
