Bristol West Auto Insurance Review: A Last-Ditch Effort for High-Risk Drivers

Bristol West offers car insurance to high-risk drivers who might not qualify for coverage through other insurers. But its premiums are very, very expensive. Indeed, for drivers who are not deemed a high risk, cheaper car insurance options are available. To see how Bristol West stacks up against competitors, read on to learn what this member of the Farmers Insurance Group has to offer.

Bristol West's monthly premiums are often higher than the rest of the car insurance industry. This is because Bristol West mainly caters to those drivers who are deemed high-risk. For drivers with clean records -- or with minor violations -- cheaper car insurance options exist.

Cost comparison

Bristol West does not sell cheap car insurance. In fact, its premiums are significantly more expensive for every driving persona, including clean records, DUIs, and teen drivers. For perspective, here's how the company stacks up against the national average.

Bristol West's discounts vary by state. Depending on a driver's ZIP code, the following discounts may be available:

• Distant student
• Electronic funds transfer
• Home owner
• Multiple car
• Paid in full
• Preferred driver (no at-fault accidents or violations in the past five years)
• Safe driver

Policy types

• Auto
• Ride-hailing coverage

Bristol West specializes in auto insurance and doesn't offer policies for other vehicles, like motorcycles, RVs, or ATVs. It does, however, offer rideshare insurance, which not every major insurance company sells. For more insurance types, check out Bristol West's parent company Farmers Insurance.

Coverage types

• Bodily injury
• Collision
• Comprehensive
• Gap coverage
• Permissive user coverage
• Property damage
• Rental car coverage
• Roadside coverage
• SR-22 and FR-44 availability
• Trailer physical damage coverage
• Uninsured/underinsured motorist

Bristol West sells all the standard coverage drivers need to meet state minimum standards, plus some extras. For example, it offers gap coverage, which will cover the difference if a driver is underwater on a car loan (meaning, the car is worth less than what a driver owes). It also sells permissive user coverage -- insurance for drivers not listed on a general policy -- and physical damage coverage on trailers.

Most notably, it offers SR-22 and FR-44 certificates. These certificates prove that a driver's insurance policy meets the standards set by states. Often, they're required by court order when a driver is deemed high-risk after reckless driving, causing an accident without insurance, or getting a DUI. While many insurance companies offer SR-22 and FR-44 certificates, not all will agree to insure a high-risk driver as readily as Bristol West.

Bristol West scored 1.8 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot and 1.14 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau. It also has a D on its BBB profile. What's more, Bristol West has 4.5 times the expected volume of complaints for an insurance company, as measured by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). Unlike other national insurance companies, Bristol West has not made a recent appearance on the J.D. Power U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.

Although Bristol West's customer service reviews are generally unfavorable, its mobile app has slightly higher ratings. On the Apple App Store, the company's app has scored 4.7 out of 5 stars, while Google Play reviewers give it 3.7 out of 5 stars.

Bristol West only sells auto insurance. However, for those seeking other types of insurance, they can look to Bristol West's parent company Farmers Insurance, which sells homeowners, life, and business insurance. Farmers Auto Insurance also sells more policy types. For example, drivers insured under Farmers can buy auto insurance for classic cars, golf carts, RVs, trailers, Segways, and snowmobiles.

When looking for an auto insurer who offers affordable coverage after reckless driving: Geico is one of the most affordable insurers on the market. Its rates are around 30% cheaper for reckless driving than its competitors. It also offers more policy types, such as insurance for boats and motorcycles.

When looking for an auto insurer who offers affordable coverage after a DUI: State Farm might be a good choice. The company's average premium post-DUI is significantly cheaper than the national average, not to mention Bristol West. It also offers multiple discounts and has a highly rated customer service team.

Bristol West auto insurance is best suited for drivers who:

• Are deemed high-risk and can't find coverage through other car insurance companies
• Need a SR-22 or FR-44 certificate

Bristol West can be a haven for those who need coverage but can't find it through other insurers. But tread carefully. Although it can be difficult for high-risk drivers to find cheap coverage, other options exist. Comparing Bristol West with companies offering the best high-risk car insurance might result in a cheaper premium.

At The Motley Fool Ascent, insurers are rated on a scale of one to five stars. We primarily focus on pricing, coverage options, and customer satisfaction; however, we also take into account features like unique discounts, online and app-based experiences, and branch access. Our highest-rated auto insurances generally include low costs, solid coverage, and high customer satisfaction.