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Cheapest car insurance in Bristol, Virginia (Nov 2024)

Compare 55+ insurance companies including Progressive, Travelers, AAA, Nationwide (and more!) to find the best and cheapest car insurance in Bristol, Virginia.
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R.E. Fulton
Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer
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Reviewed by Josh Damico, Vice President Insurance Operations
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Edited by Lina Zhang, Licensed Insurance Agent, VP of Operations

Cheapest Car Insurance Quotes in Bristol

On average, auto insurance in Bristol costs about $89 per month for minimum coverage liability insurance and about $216 per month for full coverage insurance. Bristol drivers pay 7% less rates than the average.  
With dozens of popular insurance companies to choose from, finding the best rate can be tricky. The easiest way to find affordable rates without compromising coverage is to shop around and compare
car insurance quotes
.
Many Bristol drivers have found affordable coverage with help from the
Jerry Insurance Agency
, which aggregates quotes to help drivers pick the best policy. Below are some of the cheapest car insurance quotes Jerry found for our Bristol customers.
Insurance companyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance coverage
Progressive
$284
Anne, 21
Zip: 24202
KIA Forte SX
• 50,000/100,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Safeco
$120
Samuel, 25
Zip: 24201
Toyota 4runner Sr5/sr5 Premium
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Bristol West
$232
Abbie, 64
Zip: 24201
Chevrolet Equinox LT
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
coverageLast Updated Nov 21, 2024

Best Car Insurance Companies in Bristol

Here’s a reality check: there’s no one insurance company that guarantees the best car insurance (and lowest rate) for every single driver. Every Bristol driver is unique, and so are their premiums.
To find the best rates, you need to
compare quotes
from many auto insurance companies. Your personal driver profile and your coverage needs will determine which company is best for you. 
To help Bristol drivers better compare the cheapest car insurance companies, Jerry conducted a major insurance survey. The data reveals that
State Farm
and
USAA
tend to offer the lowest premiums in Bristol, but you may not be eligible for the best of these rates. The most common insurance companies in Bristol are State Farm, USAA,
Progressive
,
Allstate
, and
Nationwide
, but only State Farm’s rates are lower than the Virginia state average.
Here’s a look at some real reviews from Bristol drivers about their insurance companies.
The table below shows how drivers in Bristol rate different companies on a scale of 0 to 5. 
Insurance companyOverall ratingPriceClaims experienceCustomer service
Progressive
4.2
3.7
3.7
4.3
Liberty Mutual
4.2
3.6
N/A
4.8
Geico
4.1
3.3
4.4
4.2
State Farm
4
3.5
4
3.9
Allstate
3.9
4.2
N/A
4.1
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How'd we get these scores?

Jerry's experts conducted one of the largest car insurance surveys in the United States. We surveyed 15,000 policyholders, in all 50 states, over the span of 18 months. These policyholders hold insurance policies with 87 different insurance companies. We surveyed policyholders to gauge their satisfaction with their insurance carriers in: policy cost, customer service, buying and renewal experience, as well as claim experience. These scores were all reported by real customers of the insurance companies.

Best cheap car insurance quotes in Bristol

Virginia laws
require all Bristol drivers to carry minimum
liability insurance
of 30/60/20, including property damage liability and bodily injury liability coverage.
Drivers must also carry
uninsured motorist coverage
to at least the same limits.   

Cheap minimum liability insurance quotes in Bristol

Let’s break down the minimum required liability coverage for Bristol drivers:
But that’s not all—just over 10% of Virginia drivers are uninsured. That’s why Virginia also requires
uninsured motorist (UM) coverage
for all Bristol drivers. 
UM coverage must include the same levels of protection as liability coverage. Underinsured coverage is similar, but it kicks in when the person doesn’t have enough coverage.
Virginia is an at-fault state
. If you get into an accident in Bristol with a driver who does not have insurance, you’ll have no recourse for damages with liability-only coverage. But with UM coverage, you’re safe.
Here are the required coverage levels for UM in Bristol:
  • $30,000 in
    uninsured motorist bodily injury
    per person
  • $60,000 in uninsured motorist bodily injury per accident
  • $20,000 in uninsured motorist property damage per accident
Under the Virginia state code, no Bristol driver is exempt from these requirements.  
You can find affordable minimum liability and uninsured motorist coverage in Bristol with help from Jerry—like the drivers below. 
card cover
Leon (41 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24201)
carNissan Altima 2.5
$157
per month
card cover
Olga (31 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24201)
carVolkswagen Jetta S
$123
per month

Do you need more than minimum coverage in Bristol?

You won’t be breaking any laws if you stick with the minimums, but many Bristol drivers prefer higher limits to get more protection in the event of a serious car accident.
Consider the costs after a major crash. From medical expenses to car replacement fees, you could be sued for hundreds of thousands of dollars if you cause a crash. Virginia’s minimum coverage may not cover all these fees—which means you’d be on the hook.
It’s smart to get as much liability coverage as you can afford, and the extra protection may not cost you as much as you think. Check out some sample rates below.
The bottom line: For better financial protection, you should consider 50/100/50 or 100/300/100 liability coverage—or get full coverage on your car. 

Cheap full coverage car insurance quotes in Bristol

Did you know that liability coverage only protects other people? Full coverage in Bristol is the only way to protect yourself and your car, whether from storm damage or traffic accidents.
A full coverage policy includes
comprehensive
and
collision coverage
Collision coverage: If your car is damaged in a collision, this coverage will pay for repairs.
Comprehensive coverage: If you suffer non-collision damage—like theft, storm damage, or vandalism—this coverage will kick in.
A lender can require you to carry full coverage on a financed vehicle. That’s because they want to protect their investment while it’s being paid off. Make sure you consult with your lender before selecting an insurance policy in Bristol.
Here’s a breakdown of Bristol
full coverage car insurance costs
.
Insurance coverageInsurance companyPremium (monthly)CustomerCar
• 50,000/100,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Progressive
$284
Anne, 21
Zip: 24202
KIA Forte SX
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Safeco
$120
Samuel, 25
Zip: 24201
Toyota 4runner Sr5/sr5 Premium
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
AAA
$169
Andre, 64
Zip: 24201
Chevrolet Equinox LT
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Gainsco
$238
Ethel, 40
Zip: 24202
Chrysler 300 S
coverageLast Updated Nov 16, 2024
The easiest and fastest way to find the cheapest car insurance in for your preferred coverage option is to compare car insurance rates online.
Jerry,
a top insurance agency
, offers a free app that compares car insurance quotes and provides end-to-end service to customers with the help of 100+ licensed insurance agents.
Lower my car insurance too!

Average cost of car insurance in Bristol

In helping hundreds of Bristol drivers find cheaper rates, we found the average cost for minimum liability coverage to be $89 per month or $1,068 per year. 
The average cost for full coverage insurance in Bristol is $216 per month or $2,592 per year.
Don’t jump to any conclusions! These are average rates, but you’re probably not the average Bristol driver. You might have a better driving history—or maybe a few tickets on your record. Your unique driver profile will be the source of your unique rate.

Average cost of car insurance in Bristol by zip code

Zip code is a key indicator of risk. In some zip codes within Bristol, there’s a higher incidence of auto theft claims. In other areas, the rate of traffic accidents is higher. That’s why your zip code plays a key role in determining your rate. 
If you live in a “high risk” zip code in Bristol that’s extra prone to accidents that could trigger a claim, you’ll be charged more for coverage.
Zip CodeAverage State Minimum Coverage RateAverage Full Coverage Rate
24201
$47
$137
24202
$38
$136

Car insurance quotes in Bristol by rating factors 

Insurance companies in Bristol use many rating factors when
deciding your auto insurance premium
:  
  • Your driving record and claims history: A pattern of traffic violations and accidents signals that you’re likely to get into more trouble—and you’ll pay more for coverage. 
  • Your age: Drivers younger than 25 years old will pay higher insurance rates as insurance companies consider young drivers a higher risk due to limited driving experience. 
  • Your credit score: If you have good credit (over 750), you’ll get the cheapest rates. Drivers with bad credit pay a lot more for coverage.
  • The kind of car you have: Luxury and sports cars come with higher insurance price tags.
  • Where you keep your car: Rates are likely higher if you regularly park your car in a neighborhood with a higher incidence of auto insurance claims. 
  • How you use your car: More frequent usage means higher insurance rates, due to the increase in risk. 

How do different factors impact your car insurance costs in Bristol?

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Allowed (with applicable limitations): Gender, age, driving experience, credit history, education, occupation, employment status, marital status, zip code, insurance history
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Prohibited (or effectively prohibited): Bristol currently does not disallow any common insurance rating factors when calculating insurance premiums.
Learn more about the car insurance rating factors in Bristol:

Cheap car insurance quotes in Bristol after driving violations

Driving violations in Bristol not only carry fines and legal penalties, but they can drive up the cost of insurance, too. If you have a long list of violations on your record, you’ll be tagged a
high-risk driver
. You can still find coverage, but your policy will cost more than the average Bristol driver’s.

Cheapest car insurance in Bristol after speeding ticket

Break the speed limits in Bristol and you’ll be penalized according to how high over the speed limit you were traveling. The
speeding fines
in Virginia increase by mile increments, not to mention the extremely high fines for
reckless driving
.
But speeding tickets also matter a lot when it comes to insurance rates for Bristol drivers.
To
find affordable coverage
with a speeding ticket on your record, turn to Jerry—here’s how we helped other Bristol drivers in your position. 
Speeding TypeInsurance CompanyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance Coverage
Speeding 1-5
Progressive
$116
Cody, 37
Zip: 24201
BMW 328 i
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Speeding 16-20
Safeco
$101
Keith, 36
Zip: 24201
BMW 328 i
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
coverageLast Updated Nov 17, 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Bristol after DUI

Virginia considers all intoxicated violations to be DWIs—and the state has
strict laws
with serious penalties. Any DUI conviction in Bristol will cause your insurance rates to skyrocket, and some companies might refuse to cover you.
Finding insurance in Bristol after a DUI can be complicated, but Jerry has helped tons of drivers. 
card cover
Alexander (34 years old)
coverageCoverage
50,000 per person
100,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24205)
$70
per month
card cover
Sylvia (39 years old)
coverageCoverage
State Minimum
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24205)
$84
per month

Cheapest car insurance in Bristol after an at-fault accident

The truth is that causing an accident is a clear sign to insurance providers that you’re a risky driver. But it’s also true that you can still shop around to find a good rate—and Jerry can help.
Here are some sample insurance rates for Bristol drivers who have at-fault accidents on record.
Accident typeInsurance companyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance coverage
At Fault With Injury
Clearcover
$274
Bertie, 29
Zip: 24201
Honda Accord EXL
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
At Fault With No Injury
Progressive
$116
Helen, 37
Zip: 24201
BMW 328 i
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Not At Fault
Travelers
$75
Nell, 49
Zip: 24202
Chevrolet Tahoe C1500
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
At Fault With No Injury
Safeco
$101
Donald, 36
Zip: 24201
BMW 328 i
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
coverageLast Updated Nov 20, 2024

Cheapest car insurance in Bristol after other driving violations

Breaking even one of the traffic laws in Bristol could have a negative impact on your rates. Yes, even following too closely behind another vehicle could go on your record.
Check out this list of common traffic violations in Bristol, and see how they affect car insurance rates.
ViolationInsurance companyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance coverage
Failure to Yield
Progressive
$120
Ray, 39
Zip: 24201
Dodge Charger SXT
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
Failure to Yield
Safeco
$125
Joel, 39
Zip: 24201
Dodge Charger SXT
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
coverageLast Updated Nov 15, 2024

Cheap car insurance quotes in Bristol by age

Very old and very young drivers face higher than average rates in Bristol. Older drivers face more risks in an accident, and younger drivers have less experience behind the wheel. If you’re younger than 25 or older than 75, expect to pay more for coverage in Bristol.

Cheapest car insurance in Bristol for young drivers

More specifically,
teen drivers
under the age of 19 or with a
provisional license
will pay the absolute highest rates for coverage. This is one reason why we recommend full coverage for any young driver, especially if they’re driving a newer vehicle.
Here are some real-life examples of young drivers in Bristol who got insurance through Jerry.
card cover
Anne (21 years old)
coverageCoverage
50,000 per person
100,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24202)
carKIA Forte SX
$284
per month
card cover
Gainsco
Teresa (21 years old)
coverageCoverage
30,000 per person
60,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24201)
carNissan Rogue SV
$316
per month
card cover
Jackson (22 years old)
coverageCoverage
30,000 per person
60,000 per accident bodily injury
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24201)
$134
per month
card cover
Minerva (23 years old)
coverageCoverage
30,000 per person
60,000 per accident bodily injury
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24202)
carFord Fusion SEL
$216
per month

Cheapest car insurance in Bristol for senior drivers

Golden years come with
golden price tags
, unfortunately. Senior drivers are more vulnerable to serious injury in a car accident, which is why car insurance companies charge them more for coverage.
card cover
Minnie (65 years old)
coverageCoverage
30,000 per person
60,000 per accident bodily injury
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24201)
carCadillac CTS HI Feature V6
$126
per month

Cheap car insurance quotes in Bristol based on insurance history

If you don’t maintain car insurance coverage consistently, the companies will see a
lapse in coverage
on your record. That’s a big red flag, and gaps in coverage usually trigger an increase in your premium.
Jerry customers benefit from regular reminders to avoid lapses in coverage. We also help people with lapses find coverage again, like the Bristol drivers below.
card cover
Millie (37 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
30,000 per person
60,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24201)
carBMW 328 i
$116
per month
card cover
Isaiah (49 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
30,000 per person
60,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24202)
carChevrolet Tahoe C1500
$75
per month
card cover
Jason (49 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
100,000 per person
300,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24202)
carVolvo XC60 3.2
$148
per month
card cover
Donald (36 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
30,000 per person
60,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24201)
carBMW 328 i
$101
per month
card cover
Christine (40 years old)
Currently Insured
coverageCoverage
30,000 per person
60,000 per accident bodily injury
Comp / Collision
locationBristol, VA
(Zip Code: 24201)
carHonda Civic EXL
$130
per month

Cheap car insurance quotes in Bristol for drivers with poor credit

While credit has nothing to do with your driving habits, data shows that people with poor credit tend to file more insurance claims. So if
your credit score
is under 600, you can expect to be charged a higher rate for coverage in Bristol.
Credit RangeInsurance CompanyPremium (monthly)CustomerCarInsurance Coverage
660 - 750
Progressive
$116
Mollie, 37
Zip: 24201
BMW 328 i
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
660 - 750
Progressive
$116
Ann, 37
Zip: 24201
BMW 328 i
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
550 - 659
Allstate
$148
Arthur, 49
Zip: 24202
Volvo XC60 3.2
• 100,000/300,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
< 550
Gainsco
$316
Lester, 20
Zip: 24201
Nissan Rogue SV
• 30,000/60,000 Liability
• Comp / Collision
coverageLast Updated Nov 18, 2024

How to lower car insurance costs in Bristol

1. Shop around and compare quotes

Every insurance company operates by a unique set of rules to determine your premium, and these rules are in a constant state of flux. Seasoned experts recommend comparing quotes from a minimum of three companies to find the lowest rate. They also say you should
shop around every six months
.
Jerry is an insurance comparison app that makes the mind-numbing shopping process a breeze. In 45 seconds, Jerry taps into a vast pool of over 55 top-tier insurance providers. 

 2. Hunt for car insurance discounts

Every insurance company offers
a set of discounts
, but the exact discount offered varies by company. Some common discounts include: 
  • Good driver discounts. Drive safely, avoid at-fault accidents, and don’t get any points on your license. If you do this, you could unlock a
    safe driver discount
    .
  • Telematics discounts. Telematics programs track your driving habits and reward good behavior. You can usually get a discount just for signing up!
  • Good student discounts. Full-time high school and college students can usually qualify for a discount by earning at least a B average.

3. Increase your deductible for comprehensive and collision coverage

If you’ve got full coverage car insurance, increasing your deductible is an easy way to keep your monthly expenses low without sacrificing coverage.

Why is car insurance in Bristol so expensive?

Virginia car insurance is pretty affordable, compared to the national rate. However, premiums could be on the rise due to these factors:
  • Cost of car parts
  • Traffic accident rates
  • Rising medical costs
  • Natural disasters

FAQ

People living in Bristol pay on average $89 per month – or $1,068 per year – on state-minimum liability coverage. Full coverage in Bristol costs on average $216 per month of $2,592 per year. 
With car insurance though, there’s no such thing as average. It is important to know that car insurance varies greatly based on a driver’s individual situation. Shopping around for car insurance quotes is the best way to get an accurate idea of how much you can expect to pay on insurance. Luckily, Jerry is here to take the hassle out of insurance shopping! At the click of a button, Jerry will help you compare personalized quotes from top insurance providers. Best of all, it’s 100% free. 
Based on thousands of Bristol drivers Jerry has worked with, car insurance in Bristol costs an average of $89 per month for state-minimum coverage and $216 per month for full coverage.
No single insurance company has the cheapest insurance for everyone, but by shopping for insurance quotes, you can find the cheapest insurance company for you. Jerry takes the hard work and the waiting out of insurance shopping – generating you quotes with the best coverage and best prices in seconds, 100% free. Try Jerry Today!  
Shopping for the best coverage at the best price is important, but customer service may play a role in what insurance company you pick, too. Nationwide, State Auto, and The General receive good ratings from Bristol drivers, based on the largest car insurance survey in the nation conducted by Jerry.
Learn more about how fellow car owners rate various insurance companies and get free quotes in seconds with Jerry.
The state-minimum car insurance in Bristol, Virginia is as follows:
  • $30,000 bodily injury liability per person
  • $60,000 bodily injury liability per accident
  • $20,000 property damage liability per accident
These coverages are commonly referred to as 30/60/20 coverage.
Virginia drivers must carry the same amount of uninsured motorist coverage at 30/60/20.

Methodology

The Insurance Research Team analyzes insurance products and services to drive insights and help consumers make informed purchase decisions. 
Insurance research: We analyzed over 25 million car insurance quotes; conducted the largest insurance shopping survey (over 15,000 customers surveyed and 85 carriers reviewed in the past 18 months). 
We surveyed insurance policyholders for their experience with their insurers in the following areas: (1) insurance cost (2) customer service (3) insurance buying experience (4) insurance renewal experience (5) claim experience. In addition, we asked people what they like about their insurers and what areas in which their insurers could improve. The driver characteristics used in calculating average rates for auto insurance include: single driver, single car, currently insured, clean driving record.  
For the quotes and sold policies included in this article, please note that personal information has been hidden. Not all customers find savings. 
Team: The team consists of licensed insurance agents, insurance industry veterans, and data scientists.

Meet our Experts

avatar
R.E. Fulton
badge icon
Licensed Insurance Agent —Senior Content Writer
R.E. Fulton is an expert insurance writer specializing in car ownership topics from car shopping and loan advice to insurance and repair guides. R.E.’s mission is to create unique and accessible content that helps readers to become more successful and independent car owners. R.E. has written and edited over 900 high-performing articles for Jerry, with an average of 1 million+ views.
As a senior writer on Jerry’s editorial team, R.E. draws on over 10 years of experience as a professional writer and digital publishing specialist. Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team in 2021, R.E. worked as a writing coach at Columbia University, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), and the University of Rochester. They serve as a managing editor for peer-reviewed history publication Nursing Clio, where their work has appeared regularly since 2015.
avatar
Lina Zhang
badge icon
Licensed Insurance Agent
badge icon
Licensed in 50 states and Washington DC
Lina Zhang is Vice President of Operations at Jerry. She helped to found Jerry in order to take the confusion and mystery expenses out of car ownership and help drivers achieve financial success. Leading a global team responsible for operations, talent acquisition, legal, and content, Lina has been a key contributor to the AllCar™ app’s 10x growth in its first year of operation. Prior to Jerry, Lina and her Jerry co-founders, Art Agrawal and Musawir Shah, created YourMechanic, the largest on-demand car repair services provider. In one year, Lina built and scaled YourMechanic operations from just five markets to more than 50. The trio left YourMechanic to incubate Jerry at Y Combinator in 2017. Lina’s previous roles include intellectual property attorney at Morrison & Foerster LLP and a biomedical researcher at Stanford University.
avatar
Josh Damico
badge icon
Head Of Insurance Operations
badge icon
18+ Years Experience in Insurance
Josh Damico is Jerry’s vice president of insurance operations and a licensed insurance professional with nearly two decades of experience in the industry. Previously, Josh held executive roles at Geico, where he had vast regional oversight and leadership opportunities.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Medaille College, and has appeared on news channels including FOX and CBS to offer insurance expertise and tips to drivers across the country. His work has appeared in Business Insider, Kelley Blue Book, and Digital Insurance and been quoted in The Balance, GOBankingRates, and Inspiring Workplaces.
*Illustration only. For all the pricing information presented in this article (including various tables), please note that not all customers find savings and the information is for illustrative purposes only. Savings depend on type of car, location, policy features, driving history and other factors. Drivers who switch through Jerry save over $70/month on average.