Is Bristol West Good for Auto Insurance?

Last Updated on December 22, 2025

Bristol West is a “nonstandard” auto insurer (a company that specializes in drivers who may have a hard time getting coverage elsewhere). It’s part of the Farmers Insurance Group and is best known for helping drivers who have a lapse in coverage, a less-than-perfect record, or need an SR-22 filing.

So, is Bristol West good for auto insurance? The honest answer is: it depends on why you’re shopping. Bristol West can be a solid option if you’re considered high-risk (or you need flexible payment options). But if you have a clean record and can qualify for standard insurers, you’ll often find better pricing and fewer customer-service complaints elsewhere.

Key Takeaways

• Bristol West (part of Farmers) is usually best for high-risk drivers—especially people with a lapse in coverage, multiple violations, or SR-22/FR-44 requirements.
• It offers standard coverages plus helpful options like SR-22 filings, flexible payment plans, and rideshare/non-owner policies (availability varies by state).
• Many drivers who qualify for “standard” insurers can often find lower prices elsewhere, and complaint levels tend to be higher than expected for a company its size.
• The smartest move is to compare quotes, confirm deductibles/limits, and ask an agent about discounts like autopay and paperless billing.

Bristol West at a Glance

Pros and Cons of Bristol West Auto Insurance

What Coverage Does Bristol West Offer?

Bristol West offers the same core types of car insurance coverage you’ll see at most companies. Your exact options depend on your state, but common coverages include:

• Liability coverage (required in most states)
• Collision coverage (damage to your car after a crash)
• Comprehensive coverage (theft, vandalism, weather damage, falling objects, animal strikes, etc.) — commonly part of what people call “full coverage” (more on that here: is full coverage the same as comprehensive coverage?)
• Medical payments coverage (MedPay) in many states
• Uninsured / underinsured motorist (availability varies by state and policy)
• Roadside / towing coverage (optional)

SR-22 and FR-44 filings

If you need proof of financial responsibility after a serious violation, Bristol West can be a practical option. Learn the basics here: SR-22 car insurance coverage.

SR-22 policies can be expensive anywhere, so it’s worth using every savings lever you can. These tips can help: is it possible to find cheap SR-22 insurance?

Rideshare coverage

If you drive for Uber, Lyft, or delivery apps, you may need more than a personal auto policy. Bristol West offers rideshare coverage in some states, designed to help fill insurance gaps. If you’re new to this topic, start here: will my insurance company cover me if I start driving for Uber or Lyft?

Non-owner car insurance

Don’t own a car but need liability coverage to drive occasionally (or to keep your insurance history active)? A non-owner car insurance policy may be a better fit than a standard policy.

Gap / loan-lease payoff

If you finance or lease a vehicle, ask your agent whether a loan/lease payoff endorsement (often called “gap coverage”) is available and makes sense for your situation. Here’s a breakdown of how it works: what is gap insurance and do I need it?

Tip: If you’re insuring an older vehicle, you may not want to pay for every optional coverage forever. This guide can help you think it through: should you drop collision coverage on an older vehicle?

What Discounts Does Bristol West Offer?

Discount availability depends heavily on your state and policy type, and Bristol West doesn’t always market discounts as aggressively as some big “standard” insurers. Still, many drivers can qualify for savings—especially around billing and policy management.

Common discount categories (when available) include:

• Automatic payment / EFT discounts
• Paperless documents (learn how these usually work: paperless billing discounts for car insurance)
• Multi-car discounts if you insure more than one vehicle (see: multi-car discounts explained)
• Pay-in-full pricing instead of monthly installments (more here: paying in full vs. monthly)
• Good driver / continuous insurance (when your record and history qualify)
• Multi-policy opportunities may exist depending on what’s available in your state (Bristol West is in the Farmers family, and some customers may see bundling through related brands like Foremost)

If you’re trying to reduce your premium quickly, it helps to know the “usual suspects” insurers look for. Here’s a broader checklist of savings opportunities: best auto insurance discounts.

How Affordable Is Bristol West?

Bristol West is frequently more expensive than standard insurers for drivers who can qualify elsewhere. That’s common for nonstandard insurance: the company is taking on more risk, so pricing tends to be higher.

That said, Bristol West can still be “worth it” if the alternative is being denied coverage, paying huge down payments, or ending up in an assigned risk plan. If you’re in a tough spot, you may want to compare Bristol West against other options designed for high-risk drivers and state programs (see: how to get cheap assigned risk auto insurance).

When comparing quotes, pay close attention to deductibles and coverage limits—not just the monthly payment. This guide can help you avoid common mistakes: car insurance deductibles explained.

Customer Service and Complaints: What to Expect

Bristol West is backed by the Farmers organization, which is a positive sign for financial stability. However, many independent reviews and regulator complaint data indicate that complaints are higher than expected compared with similarly sized insurers.

Practically, what this means is that Bristol West may be a good “get covered” option—especially in high-risk situations—but you’ll want to be proactive about documentation and communication if you ever need help with billing or a claim.

How to File a Claim with Bristol West

You can report a claim online 24/7 through Bristol West’s website, or you can call the claims line during business hours.

• Claims phone: 1-800-274-7865 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Eastern)
• Report/view claim online: Bristol West Claims Center

FAQs on Bristol West Auto Insurance

How to Get a Quote (and Why You’ll Probably Use an Agent)

Bristol West policies are commonly sold through independent agents and brokers, which can be helpful if your situation is complicated (SR-22, lapse in coverage, multiple drivers, unusual payment needs, etc.). If you’re not sure who to work with, this breakdown explains the difference: broker vs. agent.

Even if you start the process online, it’s smart to compare at least a few quotes. Bristol West can be competitive for some driver profiles—but not all.

Bristol West Contact Information

Main billing/customer service phone: 1-888-888-0080 (also the 24/7 phone pay line)

Claims phone: 1-800-274-7865

Claims mail:
Bristol West Claims Service
PO Box 258806
Oklahoma City, OK 73125-8806

General mail:
Bristol West Policy Service
PO Box 248834
Oklahoma City, OK 73124-8834

Mailing a payment (AZ, CA, NV, TX):
Bristol West Insurance Group
PO Box 7142
Pasadena, CA 91109-7142

Mailing a payment (all other states):
Bristol West Insurance Group
PO Box 371329
Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7329

Website: https://www.bristolwest.com/