Bristol West Full Coverage Insurance

Bristol West provides full coverage including liability insurance, collision coverage, comprehensive coverage, and more.
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Julian de Sevilla
A full coverage plan from Bristol West includes your state’s mandated liability minimums, collision coverage, and comprehensive insurance. Depending on your state’s car insurance requirements, it may also include uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage and MedPay/personal injury protection (PIP).
Bristol West is a subsidiary company of
Farmers Insurance
that only offers auto insurance and offers better rates for high-risk drivers. With backing from one of the biggest insurance providers in America, Bristol West offers a full coverage insurance plan for its customers. While opting for full coverage may not be your
cheapest car insurance
option, it can really come in handy in the wake of a car accident.
To help you decide if full coverage is for you, we’ve put together this guide to Bristol West and the insurance choices it offers.   

What does Bristol West full coverage insurance cover?

What is
full coverage
, exactly? Even though the term is used by many companies to indicate a bundle of coverages, not all providers define it the same way. Usually, you can expect “full coverage” to include at least the following policies:
  • Liability insurance:
    If you’re at fault in an accident, this coverage will pay for the other driver’s medical bills and car repairs. The amount of liability included in your full coverage will be determined by the state you live in and the legally-required amounts to hit the road.
  • Collision insurance:
    This coverage will take care of your damages if you strike another vehicle or stationary object with your car. 
  • Comprehensive insurance:
    Collisions aren’t the only thing that can damage your vehicle. This coverage kicks in for things like severe weather, vandalism, theft, and more. 
Bristol West’s full coverage will at least include
bodily injury liability coverage
,
property damage liability coverage
, collision coverage, and comprehensive coverage—useful protections to have in the case of an accident, theft, or damaging storm.
RECOMMENDED
Compare auto insurance policies
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
Find insurance savings

Does full coverage really cover everything?

The term “full coverage” can be misleading, as it will not cover some areas of damage or repair services you may need for your vehicle.
Basically, car insurance companies and lenders use “full coverage” to indicate a higher level of coverage than just basic liability—the key being that you can file a claim for damages to your own vehicle. For lenders, this is an important distinction—they want you to have an insurance plan that will protect their investment.
In addition to full coverage offered by Bristol West, there are a few other insurance options worth considering. See the table below for a full rundown.

Other types of Bristol West auto insurance coverage

Type of coverage
Description
A requirement in some states, this coverage pays for some of your damages and medical bills if you’re in an accident with someone who doesn’t have liability insurance or whose insurance isn’t enough to pay for your damages. 
MedPay will help to cover medical and even funeral costs up to $10,000 if you, a passenger, or a family member are injured in a collision.
A required coverage in
no-fault states
, PIP helps to pay for medical expenses in the aftermath of a car accident. 
Covers towing, fuel delivery, tire changes, lockout services, and more. Subject to a maximum limit per policy.
If your car is in the shop after an accident and is covered by insurance, you can recoup up to $50 a day for 30 days on the cost of a rental car.
Applies your personal car insurance policy limits and coverage if you use your vehicle for rideshare activities or jobs, including UberEats. 
Trailer physical damage coverage
With this policy, you’ll get $500 liability coverage on a trailer you own that is attached to an insured vehicle.
Permissive user coverage
As long as you give a driver permission to use your car, they’ll be covered by your insurance.
Are you overpaying for your car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms
No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees
icon4.717k Ratings
5M+Drivers Joined
7M+Cars Garaged
Since Bristol West caters to customers who are riskier to insure, it also will add an SR-22 when you purchase your policy if required. An
SR-22
is a certification form that proves your car insurance meets the state minimums and is usually required by the court for drivers with DUIs or other major traffic violations on their record.

Is full coverage car insurance from Bristol West worth it?

Even though full coverage will cost more, it’s generally worth having. However, for drivers with lower credit or lots of traffic violations, the premiums can be prohibitive. Bristol West offers insurance for high-risk drivers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll offer you the best rates.
A reason you will need full coverage is if your
lender requires it
. Driving a leased or financed vehicle will usually mean that full coverage is non-negotiable. And even if your loan is completely paid off and you fully own your vehicle, full coverage will protect your long-term investment against
a total loss
.
Full coverage isn’t worth it if the cost of your premium is higher than the value of your vehicle. If your car is only worth a thousand dollars, for example, you can probably get away with just having the state-mandated liability limits.

Benefits of full coverage Bristol West car insurance

Full coverage car insurance from Bristol West will ensure that you:
  • Meet your lender or leasing company’s requirements
  • Are protected in areas with dangerous weather or high instances of motor vehicle theft
  • Can
    file a claim
    for a totaled vehicle
Full coverage is almost always worth it if you own a luxury or brand-new vehicle, if your area is prone to severe weather, or if theft, vandalism, or car accidents are common in your neighborhood.

Drawbacks to full coverage Bristol West car insurance

Even though full coverage insurance can sound like the whole package, there are some drawbacks to purchasing this kind of policy:
  • It is more expensive than basic liability coverage
  • After a claim, your premium will likely increase dramatically
  • You’ll have to pay a
    deductible
    before your insurance will cover a collision or comprehensive claim
The premiums for full coverage plans can be pretty steep. But before you turn down extra coverage, ask your Bristol West agent about
car insurance discounts
.
Signing up for automatic payments, opting for paperless billing, and maintaining a
good driving record
can cut down your monthly insurance costs. And because Bristol West is part of the Farmers family, you can also get discounts if you purchase multiple policies from Bristol West, Farmers, or Foremost Insurance.

Does Bristol West have the best full-coverage auto insurance?

It depends. For drivers with lots of traffic infractions or drivers who are getting insurance for the first time, Bristol West may offer more affordable rates than other providers.
But when it comes down to it, your rates will depend on your driving record, age, location, model of vehicle, and many other factors. Bristol West’s algorithm for calculating insurance rates may be more favorable to drivers who don’t have great driving or insurance histories, but that doesn’t mean their full coverage rates will be the best for you.
That’s why it’s important to shop around for insurance before you sign off on a new policy.
State Farm
is another viable option for young drivers and drivers with DUIs, but other providers like
GEICO
are also worth a look.
Unfortunately, Bristol West doesn’t have the best customer satisfaction rating. Some reviewers suggest that unless you’re a high-risk driver, you should steer clear of Bristol West. It can be risky signing up with a smaller insurance provider, but with Farmers’ financial backing, it has a little more credibility.
With all of this in mind, you can decide if Bristol West is right for you. As a high-risk driver, it may be one of your best options, but remember to compare at least three companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal on your full coverage insurance.

The bottom line

For most drivers, adding full coverage insurance just makes sense—not only will you have added peace of mind whenever you’re on the road, you’ll be able to fulfill the requirements on your loan or lease. Bristol West provides more manageable rates for drivers with spotty driving records or low credit scores, but you may find better customer service and coverage options elsewhere—so make sure you shop around!
“I was tired of looking around multiple websites, so I decided to give
Jerry
a try. Let me tell you—the process is so easy and simple, and they really find you the best prices for your coverage level. Getting insurance for my new car was quick and easy!” —Joanna D.
Let Jerry find your price in only 45 seconds
No spam · No long forms · No fees
Find insurance savings

FAQs

Generally, if your vehicle is old, has a ton of mileage on it, or is worth less than your insurance premium, you can forgo full coverage insurance.
Liability coverage is required by almost every state and will help cover the other driver’s damages and medical bills if you are in an accident. Full coverage is optional, and generally includes collision and comprehensive insurance, which cover damages to your vehicle.
The deductible is the amount you have to pay before your insurance will kick in during a claim. For example, if your deductible is $500, you have to pay that amount upfront before your insurance will cover the rest of your repairs or other damages.
Are you overpaying for car insurance?
Compare quotes and find out in 45 seconds.
Try Jerry

Easiest way to compare and buy car insurance

√
No long forms
√
No spam or unwanted phone calls
√
Quotes from top insurance companies
Find insurance savings