Is Bristol West a Good Insurance Company? Reviews From Over 690 Customers

Bristol West has an overall score of 3.6 out of 5. Overall, the insurer tends to earn mixed reviews from customers, but some applaud its discount and claims handling.

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4.7 / 518K reviews
MacKenzie Korris
Writer: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Copy Editor

Qualifications:
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

  • 10+ years editing experience

  • NPN: 21630969


MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.

Sara Getman
Editor: Sara GetmanAssociate Editor

Qualifications:
  • 3+ years in insurance content

  • Host of Insurify‘s podcast “No Dumb Questions“


Sara has been an associate editor at Insurify since 2022. She co-launched Insurify‘s podcast “No Dumb Questions“ in 2025.

Updated

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Bristol West Insurance: Rated 3.6 out of 5 by customers

Category
Average Score
Overall experience rating3.6
Customer service3.4
Value3.5
Claims handling3.4
Coverage options3.4
Discounts3.5
Policy transparency3.4
Policy flexibility3.3
Quick Facts
  • Bristol West overall user rating: 3.6 out of 5

  • Insurify Quality (IQ) Score for Bristol West: 6.7 out of 10

  • NAIC complaint index: 1.58 (Above average)

  • Average monthly premium from Bristol West: $211

Our take on Bristol West insurance

Insurify gives Bristol West a quality score of 6.7 out of 10. Overall, Insurify customers with Bristol West policies rate the insurer’s customer service at 3.4 out of 5. Customers with positive experiences with Bristol West mention helpful representatives who can easily solve issues and a quick claims-handling process. But negative reviews for Bristol West usually focus on discounts that are hard to qualify for, rising premiums, and unexpected charges or fees.

Bristol West customer service reviews: Rated 3.4 out of 5

Insurify customers with policies through Bristol West give the insurer a rating of 3.4 out of 5 for customer service. Positive Bristol West reviews for customer service mention helpful representatives who can resolve issues quickly. But customers leaving negative reviews for Bristol West sometimes highlight difficulties reaching agents and receiving unclear instructions once they do.

Below, you can read real reviews from satisfied and unsatisfied Bristol West customers.

View Bristol West customer service reviewsexpand/collapse
Erica
Verified Review
Insurance review
The lady I call my agent is awesome.
Jessica L
Verified Review
Truly, the only company I like right now
I actually love my current insurance company, and I stay with them because of their customer service.
Curtis
Verified Purchase
I find the personnel work patiently with me until we were both in agreement
They work with you until you are satisfied.
Carla
Verified Purchase
Excellent insurance for my needs
Great customer service. Thank you, Lathithaa!
Wanda
Verified Review
Expensive
Customer service is excellent. Rates are quite expensive.
Kelly
Verified Purchase
Insurance Friendly
I feel like I'm getting the help that I need. My questions are answered, and everyone is very kind and respectful.
Michael
Verified Review
Bristol West Representatives
Very easy to pick up the phone and communicate needs as well as assurance concerns.
Jacinda
Verified Purchase
Excellent
They are very understanding if you can't pay your bill on the due date. They give you a little extra time to pay it. Excellent customer service.
Samuel
Verified Review
Worst Insurance Company Ever
I was completely dissatisfied with Bristol West. I needed to get my due date changed to a different date, and they wouldn’t even hear me out—just “no.” Worst insurance company I’ve ever had in my 60 years of being insured.
Walter
Verified Purchase
I selected manual payments, and they changed it to auto payments three times. I even called customer service and was assured it was turned off. I am on a fixed income, and my money comes in at a certain time of the month. They overdrew my checking account twice.
I selected manual payments, and they changed it to auto payments three times. I even called customer service and was assured it was turned off. I am on a fixed income, and my money comes in at a certain time of the month. They overdrew my checking account twice.
Michele
Verified Review
Customer service
I always have a problem when my 6-month policy is up. After I submit the paperwork stating my health insurance covers me so I don't need the PIP, it takes forever for them to adjust that to my policy.
Cynthia
Verified Review
Fast professional help when you need it
He was friendly while being professional and getting all my information so he could get me insured by my deadline.
Bryan
Verified Review
Very bad insurance provider. Bait and switch company
Change in price the first 3 months. Called for return of money from overcharge. Refused. I am cancelling them in December. Very poor customer service and wars have been fought in a shorter time than a refund would come. Terrible company. They offered the same package to me at $60 less than I’m currently paying. Terrible company. 12/15/2025 is the last day for them. I’ve already informed the Colorado Auto insurance regulators of this matter.
Sherry
Verified Review
No communication
It's very difficult to reach the person in charge of your account; they never return emails and calls. There is no grace period. I was one hour late on my policy and was still charged a late fee without being given a few hours to make the payment. Not an easy company to communicate with.
Ariane
Verified Purchase
Overcharging and No Communication or Explanation
It started off good, but now they are trying to charge me extra money for no reason. I have an outstanding balance, but I’ve been paying my insurance on time. I have emailed, texted, and called, but still no answer. They also keep trying to take money from a card I have told them is stolen.
Richard
Verified Review
Looking for lower priced car insurance
Coverage is okay. The price is too high. Customer service is poor.

Bristol West customer service reviews vs. The General and GEICO

Bristol West has a customer service rating of 3.4 out of 5, which is in line with The General but behind GEICO. The General earns a customer service rating of 3.4 out of 5, and GEICO scores a 4.2 out of 5.

Many reviews for Bristol West center on communication issues and how the insurer’s customer service quality varies widely. Customers of The General feel similarly, sometimes citing a lack of support. GEICO earns a higher rating than both, with customers often mentioning easy, straightforward customer service.

Here’s how these three companies stack up for customer service.

Company
Average Score
Bristol West3.4 
The General3.4
GEICO4.2

Bristol West discounts reviews: Rated 3.5 out of 5

Insurify customers with policies through Bristol West give the insurer a discount rating of 3.5 out of 5. Satisfied Bristol West customers note that the insurer’s discounts allow them to save with relatively little effort once they’re qualified. But unsatisfied Bristol West customers highlight a lack of meaningful savings and discounts that can be hard to apply for.

View Bristol West customer reviews for discountsexpand/collapse
Nicholas
Verified Review
Discount for Disabled
Please consider lowering your prices for disabled people who do not drive more than 5 miles a week.
Carlos
Verified Review
I found them to be untrustworthy as they promised to lower my payments after being with them for six months but did not fulfill their offer. Thanks for letting me share.
I found them to be untrustworthy as they promised to lower my payments after being with them for six months but did not fulfill their offer. Thanks for letting me share.
Carlos
Verified Review
I'm upset because they didn't lower my rates after being with them for six months. Now, after a year, they want to increase my payments.
I'm upset because they didn't lower my rates after being with them for six months. Now, after a year, they want to increase my payments.

Bristol West discounts reviews vs. The General and GEICO

Insurify customers with coverage from Bristol West give the insurer a discount availability rating of 3.5 out of 5, which ranks higher than The General but lower than GEICO. Insurify customers give a discount rating of 3.2 out of 5 to The General and 4.0 out of 5 to GEICO.

Bristol West scores in the middle of the three companies in terms of discount availability, with customers saying that while they welcome the discounts, the savings from them aren’t really noticeable. Customers of The General feel similarly, noting that discounts do little to reduce the cost of their policies. Meanwhile, GEICO customers largely think the insurer’s discounts are just OK.

See how Insurify customers rate Bristol West, The General, and GEICO on discounts below.

Company
Average Score
Bristol West3.5
The General3.2
GEICO4.0

Bristol West claims handling reviews: Rated 3.4 out of 5

Bristol West has an overall claims handling rating of 3.4 out of 5, according to Insurify reviews. Customers satisfied with Bristol West’s claims handling mention a quick claims experience. But customers unsatisfied with Bristol West’s claims handling mention drawn-out communication that leads to delays in the process, as well as receiving less money for their claim than they expected.

View Bristol West customer reviews for claims handlingexpand/collapse
Christopher
Verified Purchase
They're in Your Corner.
I've had Bristol West for years. They covered two accidents and kept me on the road through both.
Marjorie
Verified Review
Very Satisfied with Bristol West
They have always been helpful. When I had a minor accident, they processed the claim within one day. I am very happy with them.
Kristen
Verified Review
Bristol West: A Good Insurance to Have
I've had Bristol West for a few years and they have done a great job. However, due to a claim and someone else trying to make a claim on my insurance, it's time to renew and it's just too high for me right now. Despite this, I recommend them to everyone who is looking for insurance. I wish I could keep them myself.
Devon
Verified Review
Good
Last year, they paid the claim quickly and easily when I was in a situation.
Victor
Verified Review
I was in an accident where it was deemed the other party's fault. Your agent didn’t do anything to try to get my money or try to get my vehicle fixed. I did all the legwork. I found out the information and gave your agent all the details for the insurance company and the other party. They didn’t do anything. Two weeks passed, nothing happened, and all I did was make one phone call for five minutes and solved all that for her. Another two weeks passed by and nothing. I got nothing. My truck is still damaged. My window is still broken. I suffered an injury and you did nothing to help me after I paid you guys for months for insurance. I will never use your insurance again. I have everything in text and email telling me that I should call the party at fault and work on getting my own truck fixed. That came from one of your agents. You guys are disgraceful.
I was in an accident where it was deemed the other party's fault. Your agent didn’t do anything to try to get my money or try to get my vehicle fixed. I did all the legwork. I found out the information and gave your agent all the details for the insurance company and the other party. They didn’t do anything. Two weeks passed, nothing happened, and all I did was make one phone call for five minutes and solved all that for her. Another two weeks passed by and nothing. I got nothing. My truck is still damaged. My window is still broken. I suffered an injury and you did nothing to help me after I paid you guys for months for insurance. I will never use your insurance again. I have everything in text and email telling me that I should call the party at fault and work on getting my own truck fixed. That came from one of your agents. You guys are disgraceful.
Murat
Verified Review
Very Bad
I definitely do not recommend this company. My car was hit and the responsible party fled the scene. I attempted to contact the agency that issued my policy, but received no response. I even sent them the police report, but still no response. Out of frustration, I cancelled the policy. They did refund the remaining balance of my policy, but overall, I would not recommend this company to anyone.
Jasmin
Verified Review
Bad Experience, Poor Claim Handling, and Lack of Customer Service
I would advise against using this service if at all possible. Unfortunately, I had no other choice.
Krystal
Verified Review
There Are More Affordable Insurance Options
They are overpriced. I had an accident claim against another client of theirs and they only wanted to cover 60% of the accident, even though I was not at fault. Therefore, their claims process is not satisfactory.
Edgar
Verified Review
The Worst Car Insurance
If I could, I would give them zero stars. I'm significantly overcharged for insurance every month. They've given me an astronomical deductible. I don't have a rental car because the person handling my current accident case never answers her phone or returns calls. I've been with them for a long time, and this is by far the worst experience I've had.
Matthew
Verified Review
They are a poor company. They don't take care of their members, they overcharge, and don't support the policy holder during a claim. Their customer service is also very poor. I would give them a 0 all around. Thanks.
They are a poor company. They don't take care of their members, they overcharge, and don't support the policy holder during a claim. Their customer service is also very poor. I would give them a 0 all around. Thanks.

Bristol West claims handling reviews vs. The General and GEICO

Bristol West customers give the insurer a rating of 3.4 out of 5 for claims handling. The insurer ranks close to The General but lower than GEICO. The General has a claims handling rating of 3.4 out of 5, and GEICO has a score of 4.2 out of 5.

Bristol West and The General score similarly on claims handling, with customers regularly experiencing slow response times and difficulty in reaching the right person. GEICO ranks ahead of both Bristol West and The General, with customers mentioning typically decent support but expressing real frustration with premium hikes after claims.

Here’s how the three companies compare for claims handling.

Company
Average Score
Bristol West3.4
The General3.4
GEICO4.2

Bristol West value for money reviews: Rated 3.5 out of 5

Insurify customers with policies through Bristol West give the insurer a value-for-money rating of 3.5 out of 5. Customers leaving positive reviews mention that Bristol West offered them coverage when other insurers wouldn’t. Customers leaving negative reviews note that unexpected fees and rising premiums make them feel as though they’re not getting as good a deal from Bristol West as they once did.

Below are real reviews from Insurify customers with Bristol West coverage about the insurer’s value for money.

View Bristol West customer reviews for value for moneyexpand/collapse
Jay
Verified Review
Cheapest price around, and thankful
It’s affordable. I haven’t needed to use the insurance, and I hope I don’t. But as someone who hasn’t used insurance in 40 years, it can feel like a rip-off, but by law I have to have it. So with that said, I want the cheapest I can get.
Liza
Verified Purchase
Affordable
Excellent options for coverage, pricing, and excellent customer service representatives. I will recommend it to other drivers who need insurance. Other insurance companies were charging me for an accident I had, and Farmers Insurance helped lower that monthly cost.
Calvin
Verified Purchase
Give them a chance!
It was great. Easy to apply, simple setup and process. Extremely affordable. I like to give smaller businesses a chance versus large corporations. I couldn't be happier.
Patricia
Verified Review
Good
They cut my insurance bill to less than half of what Progressive charged me.
Phyllis
Verified Purchase
Love the company
So far, it's the best for not having insurance besides not having a car for the last two years, and it offers reasonable rates.
Robert
Verified Review
Excellent
They are responsive in a timely manner and more competitive.
Joe Jr
Verified Review
Excellent
They offered the lowest price at that time.
Rachel
Verified Review
Red Flag
They offered a very affordable price, then nearly tripled it after the second month. It would’ve happened before my second payment if I hadn’t paid my second month early.
Robert
Verified Review
Helpful Hint for Prospective Buyers
Always pay monthly; however, the rates are much higher. Avoid dealing with this insurer.
Joyce
Verified Review
Scale of 1 to 10: a score of 4
I find the cost just too high—almost $200 per month for a senior on a fixed income.
Phyllis
Verified Review
Seeking low cost, minimum basic coverage
Initially charged a low cost, but after a year, they raised the cost to a point where it’s not affordable. I’m 81 years old and only drive 5 miles a week.
Bonita
Verified Review
Should've worked with Client more.
Much better for 2 people, lower deduction $100.00 less monthly.
Rhonda
Verified Purchase
Overcharging Issues
They have been overcharging me. I found the same coverage through another company for $80 instead of $254.
Alex
Verified Review
Can't find cheap insurance
All of the information I gave them and the person on the other end gave me a price of $700, and it is hurting my pocket trying to find cheaper insurance for both vehicles.
Brandon
Verified Review
Bristol West Experience
The prices are much higher than most carriers. Customer service is outsourced. They also charge a fee to update your place of residence. Use this company as a last resort.

Bristol West value for money reviews vs. The General and GEICO

With a value-for-money rating of 3.5 out of 5, Bristol West scores similarly to The General but lower than GEICO. Customers who use Insurify rate The General 3.3 out of 5 and GEICO 4.0 out of 5 for value for money.

GEICO has a higher value rating than both The General and Bristol West. While some GEICO reviewers note rate increases, GEICO customers typically appreciate the insurer’s service and reliability. Customers of The General and Bristol West often note rising premiums, surprise fees and charges, and a general lack of flexibility.

Here’s how Bristol West compares to The General and GEICO.

Company
Average Score
Bristol West3.5
The General3.3
GEICO4.0

Bristol West policy transparency reviews: Rated 3.4 out of 5

Bristol West holds a rating of 3.4 out of 5 for policy transparency. Customers leaving positive reviews for Bristol West’s policy transparency note that its self-service features help them understand their policies without an agent’s assistance. Customers leaving negative reviews about Bristol West’s policy transparency mention surprise and confusion around unexpected charges or fees.

Below, you can read real reviews about policy transparency from Insurify customers with Bristol West auto insurance.

View Bristol West customer reviews for policy transparencyexpand/collapse
Barbara
Verified Review
My bill was always correct. I never had any problems with them. I never had to file a claim, so I can't really comment on their response to claims. However, I can attest that their website is simple and easy to use. I also love having my insurance card electronically on my phone.
My bill was always correct. I never had any problems with them. I never had to file a claim, so I can't really comment on their response to claims. However, I can attest that their website is simple and easy to use. I also love having my insurance card electronically on my phone.
Kathy
Verified Review
Good Drivers Are Punished
I just switched to Farmers in January, and they didn’t tell me that auto insurance was separate and that I needed to set it up to pay with Bristol. I found out later that, with no accidents or tickets, I was still paying a higher price because of other poor drivers. Excuse me?
Toby
Verified Review
Avoid!
Out of 6 premium payments, not one was the same as another. I never knew what my premium was going to be.
Elena
Verified Purchase
Blindsided
I'm very unhappy because they added an extra charge without informing me, and I'm not paying what I was quoted. I am looking for a new insurance carrier.
Toby
Verified Review
Variable premiums
I had six premium payments, and not one was equal to another. Six premium payments, six different premiums.
Daniel
Verified Review
Raising Prices and Unknown Charges
They keep raising my price. I got a new truck and added full coverage. The first bill is $1,100.
Angela
Verified Review
Their management is trouble.
Don't try to make your payment late. I did, but I paid it an hour before it was due. Now they think that I'm going to pay $379.
Kyle
Verified Purchase
Not happy
We are not at all happy about the auto pay. We did not ask for it and discovered that if we pay online, they will still take money through auto pay. We are on a fixed income and for two months running have been short in the bank because of this. Not at all happy with the auto pay.
Gerald
Verified Review
Changed the price without telling me why
They gave me one price, but when I had to pay it, they changed it to $35 more and would not tell me why.

Bristol West policy transparency reviews vs. The General and GEICO

Bristol West holds a policy transparency rating of 3.4 out of 5. GEICO ranks higher, but The General is close to Bristol West. The General has a policy transparency rating of 3.5 out of 5, and GEICO earns a rating of 4.1 out of 5.

Bristol West and The General score similarly, with customers mentioning a lack of up-front communication and rate changes that caught them off guard. GEICO scores highest among the three in terms of policy transparency, with its customers generally finding its policies understandable.

The table below shows how these three companies compare in terms of policy transparency.

Company
Average Score
Bristol West3.4
The General3.5
GEICO4.1

Bristol West customer reviews: Read what over 690 Insurify customers have to say about Bristol West

Below, you can view more than 690 Bristol West reviews from real Insurify customers from the last 12 months.

Kendall
Verified Purchase
Bristol West So Far
Straightforward. Good price. I haven't had any further experience with them yet.
Jackie
Verified Review
Excellent
Amazing.
Mary
Verified Review
I Receive My Bill Once It’s Ready to Cancel It
Okay, I don’t seem to get my bill on time.
Angel
Verified Review
Don't Use Bristol West
They charge too much for a weekly rate.
Lisa
Verified Purchase
Recommend 100%
Very simple, fast process.
Viveca
Verified Purchase
Best experience I’ve ever had with an insurance agency
My experience has been great so far.
Kirk
Verified Purchase
Kirk's Experience
They seem to be good at an affordable price.
Zablon
Verified Review
Review
They keep increasing rates without any cause.
Rayetta
Verified Review
I'm glad I found Bristol West
I have not had any better. I don't know what I would do without them.
Kyle
Verified Purchase
Excellent
Have not had any trouble with them other than being kind of high priced.
Curtis
Verified Purchase
Highly recommend, very affordable
So far, so good. 👍 No complaints here. 🙂
Natalie
Verified Purchase
Easy Peasy
Affordable and very easy to obtain!
Tony
Verified Review
Expensive
Great but too much money.
Jesus
Verified Review
Recipe for No-Stress Insurance
Easy dealings, no issues.
Richard
Verified Purchase
Easy
Great insurance company.
Crystal
Verified Purchase
It’s been a decent experience! I didn’t know about the $35 late fee that was added to my policy. Customer service is very helpful in assisting with changes and questions. In my opinion, what I’m paying is a bit much since windows are not covered in the policy. That’s a first for me!
It’s been a decent experience! I didn’t know about the $35 late fee that was added to my policy. Customer service is very helpful in assisting with changes and questions. In my opinion, what I’m paying is a bit much since windows are not covered in the policy. That’s a first for me!
David
Verified Review
Fair
Well, the price goes up every few months. That’s crazy.
Katie
Verified Review
Way Too Much for Monthly Payments
They're crazy expensive.
Robert
Verified Purchase
Poor
Prices are too high. I'm 54 years old and have had a perfect driving record since 1988.
Timothy
Verified Review
They based their pricing on 30-year-old credit reports, which should be illegal. I didn’t have a ticket, and my insurance went up over $100 a month when it was time to renew.
They based their pricing on 30-year-old credit reports, which should be illegal. I didn’t have a ticket, and my insurance went up over $100 a month when it was time to renew.
Esperanza
Verified Review
Average
It’s just too expensive.
Shirley
Verified Review
Short-term Discount
Forest offers good rates for the first 6 months, but the renewal becomes too expensive.
Nicholas
Verified Review
Not cool
Do not use them. I had no accidents or claims, and they raised my rates by $1,200.00.
James
Verified Review
Minimum coverage is kind of pricey.
I've been a customer for a while now. I wish they would lower their price a little.
Robert
Verified Review
Prices
Lower prices.
Duane
Verified Review
Too Much Money
The rate was too high.
Thurmand
Verified Review
Looking for Reliable Insurance
Too costly for limited insurance.
Daniel
Verified Review
Bristol West Bad Insurance
Very bad, they raised my insurance by three times the price.
Tara
Verified Review
Bare Minimum Coverage
They're good for someone who only needs the required full coverage at a fair price, but I don't recommend them.
Melissa
Verified Review
Too Expensive
I pay more for my car insurance each month than I do for my car payment! Almost $250 a month for insurance in a single-income household!
Pamela
Verified Review
Did not agree to a 54 percent increase that doubled
I had a good experience until I got switched to Farmers Insurance and the cost doubled, which is something I can't afford.
Kathie
Verified Review
Roadside Service
You have to pay for the tow in advance, and they only reimburse $75 regardless of the actual cost.

Bristol West vs. The General, GEICO, and Dairyland

Overall, Bristol West customers give the insurer mixed ratings. The insurer scores similarly to The General but behind GEICO in most areas — including on discounts, claims handling, and value for money.

You can see below how Bristol West compares to other top insurers below.

Bristol West logo
The General logo
GEICO logo
Dairyland logo
Average price
$160/mo*
Average price
$152/mo*
Average price
$111/mo*
Average price
$177/mo*
Overall rating
Overall rating
Overall rating
Overall rating
Value for money
Value for money
Value for money
Value for money
Customer service
Customer service
Customer service
Customer service
Claims handling
Claims handling
Claims handling
Claims handling
Special highlight
AI-generated from 690 user reviews
High-risk drivers
Special highlight
AI-generated from 1502 user reviews
High-risk drivers
Special highlight
AI-generated from 21164 user reviews
Teen drivers
Special highlight
AI-generated from 365 user reviews
Hard-to-insure drivers
Data in this table has been sourced from Insurify’s users who have indicated they are insured with the listed providers
User Review Collection and Methodologyexpand/collapse

Insurify collects reviews from users on its platform who have successfully compared quotes, as well as users who have purchased a policy through Insurify. These users complete an optional survey asking them to review their experience with their current insurance company and to rate the company on factors like customer service, claims handling, coverage availability, discounts, policy flexibility, policy transparency, and value for money. These ratings and reviews are then compiled and cleaned by our data team to bring you company-level insights from over 85,000 Insurify users.

MacKenzie Korris
Writer: MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Copy Editor

Qualifications:
  • Licensed property and casualty insurance agent

  • 10+ years editing experience

  • NPN: 21630969


MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.

Sara Getman
Editor: Sara GetmanAssociate Editor

Qualifications:
  • 3+ years in insurance content

  • Host of Insurify‘s podcast “No Dumb Questions“


Sara has been an associate editor at Insurify since 2022. She co-launched Insurify‘s podcast “No Dumb Questions“ in 2025.