Jeffrey Wade
Bristol West Insurance is a member of Farmers Insurance Group, one of the biggest insurance companies in the U.S. It was acquired by Farmers Insurance in 2007 and is going through a re-branding as Foremost Insurance. Bristol West provides auto insurance to high-risk drivers who struggle to get coverage elsewhere, such as those with low credit or poor driving history (e.g. DUIs or multiple traffic violations). The company offers standard coverage as well as optional, personalised add-on services. Bristol West is available in 42 states and offers 24/7 online policy access, flexible payment options, and online claims processing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Parent company | Farmers Insurance Group |
| Year founded | 1973 |
| Year acquired by Farmers Insurance Group | 2007 |
| Main offices | Florida, Ohio |
| Upcoming office location | Grand Rapids, MI |
| Number of states served | 42 |
| Types of insurance | Auto, liability, homeowners, commercial, health, life, professional liability, worker's compensation, business |
| Financial Strength Rating | A ("Superior") |
| Ideal for | High-risk drivers, drivers with poor credit or no credit, new drivers, drivers who've had multiple traffic violations, accidents or a DUI, drivers who need an SR-22 |
| Not ideal for | Low-risk drivers |
What You'll Learn
Bristol West Insurance is a subsidiary of Farmers Insurance
Farmers Insurance Group is made up of three primary insurers: Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, and Truck Insurance Exchange (Exchanges). These exchanges are inter-insurance companies owned by their policyholders and are organised under the laws of California. They offer a range of insurance products, including homeowners insurance, auto insurance, commercial insurance, and financial services across the United States.
Bristol West Insurance, as a subsidiary of Farmers Insurance, provides private passenger non-standard auto insurance across the United States. It was acquired by Farmers Insurance Group in 2007 and is known for offering affordable insurance options for high-risk drivers. Bristol West is available in 42 states and provides standard coverage as well as optional, personalised add-on services. The company offers 24/7 online policy access, flexible payment options, and a mobile app for policyholders' convenience.
In summary, Bristol West Insurance, as a part of the Farmers Insurance Group, caters to a specific segment of the market by providing non-standard auto insurance to high-risk drivers who may struggle to find coverage elsewhere.
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It provides auto insurance for high-risk drivers
Bristol West Insurance is a member of Farmers Insurance Group, one of the biggest insurance companies in the U.S. It provides auto insurance for high-risk drivers, including those with low credit or poor driving histories (e.g., DUIs or multiple traffic violations). The company was established in 1973 to provide auto insurance to high-risk drivers in Florida. Over the years, it expanded its reach outside of the state and was acquired by Farmers Insurance Group in 2007.
Bristol West offers affordable insurance options for high-risk drivers and provides 24/7 online policy access. The company offers standard coverage, as well as optional, personalized add-on services. It is available in 42 or 43 states, depending on the source.
Bristol West provides a range of standard plans and benefits, including liability, comprehensive and collision coverage, uninsured motorist, bodily injury, property damage, and rental reimbursement insurance. In addition, Bristol West offers rideshare coverage for drivers working for companies like Uber and Lyft.
The company has been praised for its competitive rates for high-risk drivers, flexible payment methods, and online tools. However, it has also received criticism for its higher-than-average premiums, poor customer satisfaction, and limited discounts.
In summary, Bristol West Insurance is a specialist provider of auto insurance for high-risk drivers, offering a range of standard coverage options and add-ons. While it provides affordable options for high-risk drivers, it may not be the best choice for those with clean records due to its higher premiums and limited discounts.
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It offers standard coverage and add-on services
Bristol West Insurance is a member of Farmers Insurance Group, one of the biggest insurance companies in the US. It offers standard coverage, as well as optional, personalised add-on services. The company focuses on providing affordable insurance options for high-risk drivers, including those with low credit or poor driving histories (e.g. DUIs or multiple traffic violations).
Bristol West offers a range of standard plans and benefits, including liability, comprehensive and collision coverage, as well as uninsured motorist, bodily injury, property damage and rental reimbursement insurance.
In addition to these standard offerings, Bristol West provides several add-on services that allow customers to customise their policies to their specific needs. These add-ons include:
- Medical coverage up to $10,000
- Towing and roadside service
- Trailer physical damage coverage
- Rideshare coverage for drivers working for companies like Uber and Lyft
- Nonowner car insurance policies for those who don't own a car but need insurance because they borrow cars or need to show proof of insurance after a major driving violation
Bristol West also offers several discounts to help lower rates, including setting up automatic payments, paperless billing, safe driving records, and multipolicy enrollment. The company provides flexible billing and payment plan options, a user-friendly mobile app, and text reminders for bill payments, making it a convenient choice for policyholders.
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It has poor customer satisfaction
Bristol West Insurance is a member of Farmers Insurance Group, one of the biggest insurance companies in the U.S. It offers standard coverage, as well as optional, personalised add-on services. The company focuses on providing affordable insurance options for high-risk drivers and offers 24/7 online policy access.
Poor Customer Satisfaction
Despite being a subsidiary of Farmers Insurance, which generally has a good customer service reputation, Bristol West has poor customer satisfaction and a high rate of complaints. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Bristol West receives more than four times as many formal complaints as an average company of its size. This makes it one of the worst-performing subsidiaries of Farmers Insurance.
Online reviews from customers highlight issues with billing, claims, customer service, and unexpected rate increases. Some customers have also complained about being dropped from their insurance without warning and then being charged higher rates to restart their policies. Bristol West has also been accused of charging customers' bank accounts multiple times and then denying coverage.
While Bristol West may be a good option for high-risk drivers who struggle to get coverage elsewhere, its poor customer satisfaction ratings suggest that drivers should consider other insurance companies if they can obtain coverage at a comparable rate.
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It has a strong financial footing
Bristol West Insurance has a strong financial footing, with an excellent financial strength rating of A from AM Best. This indicates that the company is in a solid financial position and is likely to have the funds necessary to pay out its claims.
The company's financial stability is further bolstered by its ownership by Farmers Insurance Group, one of the biggest insurance companies in the U.S. This association provides Bristol West with the backing of a major insurer, enhancing its financial credibility.
In addition to its strong financial footing, Bristol West also offers a range of insurance products and services. The company provides private passenger non-standard auto insurance across the United States, catering to high-risk drivers who may struggle to obtain coverage from other insurers. Bristol West's non-standard insurance options include coverage for drivers with poor credit, no credit, or a history of traffic violations, accidents, or DUIs.
The company also offers a variety of standard plans and benefits, including liability, comprehensive and collision coverage, uninsured motorist protection, bodily injury, property damage, and rental reimbursement insurance. Bristol West provides its customers with flexible payment options, online claims processing, and convenient mobile app access to policy information.
With its strong financial footing, reputable ownership, and comprehensive range of insurance offerings, Bristol West Insurance is well-positioned to serve the needs of high-risk drivers seeking reliable coverage.
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Frequently asked questions
Bristol West is an insurer that provides auto coverage to a wide range of drivers, including those with low credit or poor driving history (e.g. DUIs or multiple traffic violations). The company is available in 42 states and offers a wide range of services, such as 24/7 policy info on its mobile app and flexible payment options.
Bristol West is owned by Farmers Insurance Group, one of the biggest insurance companies in the U.S. with over 48,000 exclusive and independent agencies in the country.
Bristol West offers competitive rates for high-risk drivers and those with poor credit. It provides comprehensive and collision coverage as well as roadside assistance and liability insurance. However, it might not be the best option for low-risk drivers due to its expensive rates and poor customer satisfaction.
