Bristol West is an insurance company that caters to high-risk drivers and offers vehicle insurance via a network of agents and brokers in most states. Drivers with serious infractions on their driving record may get SR-22 and FR-44 insurance from a division of Farmers Insurance. Auto insurance coverage offered by Bristol West is also made accessible via Foremost Insurance, another brand offered by Farmers.

Coverage

While searching for auto insurance coverage, it is essential to clearly understand the coverage you want and the policy you are legally obligated to purchase. To provide one example, to use a motor vehicle, one must have auto insurance in most states in the United States. You may also be interested in full coverage insurance if you want a different option that provides further protection. Learn the ins and outs of the most prevalent forms of auto insurance coverage by reading up on the subject. In addition, Bristol West may also provide the following, depending on the state in which you reside:

SR-22 and FR-44 availability

After receiving a DUI or being convicted of another significant traffic offense, most states require you to submit an SR-22 form to prove you have auto insurance. To prove that you have enough coverage in the states of Florida and Virginia, you could be required to submit an FR-44 form.

Gap insurance

Bristol West's gap insurance will cover the difference between what you owe on your loan or lease and what your policy would pay if your automobile is stolen or damaged. However, you will still be responsible for paying your deductible.

Rideshare coverage

If you are a ride-sharing service driver like Uber or Lyft, you are covered by Bristol West's rideshare insurance while waiting for passengers to request your services. To provide some background, the insurance plans provided by ridesharing firms often only cover you. At the same time, you are on your way to pick up passengers or when passengers are actually in your vehicle. This leaves a coverage gap between trips.

Discounts

Discounts on car insurance from Bristol West might vary from state to state. Depending on where you reside, you may be able to save costs by doing any of the following:

• Having Bristol West insure more than one vehicle in your household.
• For example, supplementary insurance from Foremost, like a policy for a motorbike or an RV.
• Making an initial payment that covers the whole cost of your coverage.
• Paying payments through electronic means.
• Without a car in your home is a disadvantage. When you drive a vehicle that is not your own, like a rental car, you need liability coverage provided by non-owner auto insurance.
• Avoiding collisions and infractions of the traffic laws.
• Maintaining continuous coverage with a prior insurer for six to twelve months.
• Receiving papers related to the policy through email.
• Purchasing insurance at least two days before it goes into effect means no coverage gap.

Complaints

According to statistics compiled over three years by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Bristol West had an abnormally high number of complaints about vehicle insurance filed with state regulators compared to its population size.

Website

Bristol West's website provides little information on the various coverage alternatives; nevertheless, it allows you to take action. Directly from the webpage, you can report or check on a claim, seek a quotation, locate an agent, pay, view your insurance ID card, and report or check on a claim. There is also a helpful section that addresses frequently asked concerns that pertain to payments, such as how to get SMS notifications when payments are overdue or approaching their due date.

Mobile App

You may check your ID card, make premium payments, and review policy information via the Bristol West mobile app. It works with mobile devices made by Apple as well as Android.

Payment Options

When you make a payment online, you won't be charged any additional fees to use your bank account, debit card, or credit card. You may also pay by phone, mail, Western Union, or MoneyGram, and you can set up recurring monthly payments.

Customer Satisfaction Rating

Since the Better Business Bureau does not recognize Bristol West as an accredited business, this company has no rating. A+ is the highest possible rating the BBB can give Bristol West's parent firm, Farmers Insurance Group. Nevertheless, when looking at customer ratings, Farmers Insurance Group receives fewer than one and a half stars out of a possible five.

Customer Complaint Ratio

The NAIC assigns ratings to different insurance companies based on the total number of customer complaints they get each year. The ratio of customer complaints to total customers is typically 1.00, with lower values getting fewer complaints and vice versa. On this scale, Bristol West received a score of 1.74.

Pros

• You can get an SR-22 if you need one.
• There are several payment methods.
• Obtainable in the majority of states.

Cons

• More complaints about automobile insurance were submitted to state authorities than anticipated.
• This is probably not the greatest choice for drivers who aren't high-risk.