We earn a commission from brands listed on this site. This influences the order and manner in which these listings are presented.
BestMoney logo

Bristol West Review

Bristol West-QS
Visit Site
Bestmoney Staff
Apr. 16, 2021
2 min read
BestMoney Staff
Bristol West-QS Summary
Bristol West is a member of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, one of America’s largest car insurance providers. Bristol West was founded in Florida in 1973 and now offers private passenger automobile insurance in 42 states across the country. It was acquired by Farmers in 2007 but continues to operate as a separate division.

Bristol West-QS at a glance

2.4
Editorial score

Insurance Features

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Discounts Available

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Customer Service

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Online Experience

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Direct Insurer?

This category measures the overall quality of the product
2.4

Pros and Cons

Pros: Bristol West has been in the insurance business for 47 years, 34 of those as an independent insurance carrier and the past 12 as part of Farmers. In its almost half-century of existence, Bristol West has grown to become a leading provider of liability and physical damage insurance focusing exclusively on private passenger vehicles across the United States.

Cons: While Bristol West has a wide reach, it doesn’t reach into every state. In fact, there are eight states in which it isn’t licensed to operate at all/ These states are: Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Vermont, and West Virginia. Additionally, there are certain zip codes within states that Bristol West doesn’t service. The best way to find out if Bristol West serves your area is to enter your zip code under the ‘Get a Quick Quote’ button on its home page.

Types of Auto Insurance

Bristol West offers all standard types of insurance. Its specialty is in bodily injury liability and property damage liability.

Bodily Injury Liability. Covers expenses related to other people’s injuries, such as medical bills and income loss, when you’re at fault in a collision.

Property Damage Liability. Covers expenses related to another person’s car or to other property such as their fence or house, when you’re at fault.

Collision. Covers damages to your vehicle, when you hit another vehicle or another object, such as a pole.

Comprehensive. Covers damage to your vehicle for incidents other than those covered by your Collision policy, such as theft, flood, storms, or collisions with animals.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist. Covers expenses resulting from when an uninsured or underinsured driver is at fault. About 30% of American drivers don’t have enough insurance, meaning there’s a 3 in 10 chance you’ll wish you had this type of coverage. 

Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection. Covers medical expenses and related costs if you or any other passengers in your vehicle are hurt in an accident.

Additional Features

Unlike larger insurers, Bristol West doesn’t advertise any additional features or add-ons. It may offer add-ons such as gap coverage, roadside coverage, or rental reimbursement, but it doesn’t advertise any of these features.

    Personal details: includes name, email address, phone number, and home address.

    Vehicle details: includes year, make, model, and body style, as well as details about mileage, when you purchased the vehicle, and whether you were the original owner.

    Additional personal details: includes information about your employment and house.

    Driving history: includes questions about your current insurer (if you have one).

    Within a few seconds of completing the form, you will be directed to your quote. There, you will get the option of connecting to an agent to complete your application.

Filing a Claim

You can report a claim online 24 hours a day or call Bristol West during weekday business hours to speak to a claims agent. The number is 800-274-7865. Bristol West doesn’t make any promises regarding how long it takes to handle claims. However, customer reviews for Bristol West and Farmers suggests the claims process is smooth and efficient.

Contact Details

Bristol West has agents around the country who are licensed to issue insurance on its behalf. You can find an agent near you by requesting a quote through the Bristol West website or by calling customer service at 888-888-0080.

Summary

In a business such as car insurance, longevity equals trustworthiness. Bristol West has been in the vehicle insurance game for almost 50 years, which is a very long time for an insurance carrier of independent origins. Today it is part of the Farmers group of companies, giving it the credibility of being a longstanding independent insurer backed by one of the biggest and most financially stable names in vehicle coverage.

BestMoney Staff
Written by
Bestmoney Staff
Our editorial staff consists of writers who are knowledgeable about financial services. We specialize in simplifying the process of choosing the right provider for your needs.

Must Reads

6 Tips for Finding the Right Car Insurance for You
Apr. 20, 2024
Wise Car Owners Know How to Get More Insurance for Their Money
Apr. 20, 2024
We Hope You’ll Never Need to File a Claim, but If You Do
Apr. 20, 2024
Read all articles