Bristol West vs. Direct Auto: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for car insurance, Direct Auto offers significantly more affordable rates than Bristol West
• Direct Auto offers more affordable premiums for policyholders who live in suburban areas
• Direct Auto offers more affordable rates for policyholders who have a clean driving record, free of accidents, tickets, or DUIs

Bristol West vs. Direct Auto: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

So, you're considering switching your auto insurance. After all, you've seen ads from all sorts of companies offering huge discounts. But exactly how much can you save by switching?

You might be considering Bristol West or Direct Auto as potential options, but between the two, which carrier will save you the most?

Looking at nationwide averages, Direct Auto has average rates that are about 60% per month less expensive than those from Bristol West.

Even so, Direct Auto may not be the lowest or best option for each driver out there. Auto insurance companies use tons of complex algorithms to calculate prices, so depending on how clean your driving record is or how good your credit score is (among multiple other factors), you could see wildly different premiums from the ones above.

Wanting to know if Bristol West or Direct Auto is really the right carrier for you? Keep on reading to see how average prices can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

Bristol West or Direct Auto: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Bristol West and Direct Auto only compete against each other in one states, with Direct Auto offering cheaper rates to the average driver in all of them. Florida has the most noticable difference, where Direct Auto premiums are over 70% more affordable than insurance prices at Bristol West.

That being said, there's a lot more that goes into your car insurance payment than just your home state. Continue reading to learn more about how other factors will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

You might already know that teen drivers typically pay a lot more for auto insurance than any group out there on the road. It's normally because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an auto insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

However, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their car insurance. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of more than $400 less a month by choosing Direct Auto over Bristol West.

But with both carriers, you'll see your rates reduce significantly by the time you turn 25. Direct Auto offers the steepest decrease, with 25-year-olds paying less than half what 18-year-old drivers are charged. Bristol West's average premiums lower nearly 55% during that same period.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age generally enjoy some of the cheapest insurance rates you can find. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which usually decreases their chances of collisions and other infractions that can increase prices.

When looking at Bristol West and Direct Auto specifically, which company is best for retired drivers? Direct Auto gets the edge, with premiums for drivers 65 and older $240 less expensive than the national average for Bristol West.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that auto insurance prices are generally more expensive for those who are single than they are for married couples? That's typically because married policyholders tend to own and insure more than one car, which can often earn you a discount.

When it comes to relationship status, Direct Auto is the clear winner for single policyholders, with rates around $269 per month cheaper than Bristol West, on average. The advantage for married drivers with Direct Auto is also obvious, where drivers save over $200 a month.

Bristol West vs. Direct Auto: Average Rates by Gender

Women tend to pay less for insurance than men. This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get into an accident or get pulled over for speeding, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher premiums.

Surprisingly, men normally pay about $1 per month less than women with Bristol West, and around $4 more with Direct Auto.

Looking at the data for each carrier specifically, Direct Auto offers the most affordable average prices for both men and women. On average, women save about $244 a month and men save about $239 with Direct Auto compared to the average Bristol West policyholder.

Bristol West or Direct Auto: Compare State Minimum vs. Full Coverage Rates

*State minimum value indicates liability-only policies at each state's minimum bodily injury and property damage (BI/PD) limits

**Full coverage indicates state minimum BI/PD limits with collision and comprehensive coverages added to policy.

Car insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are so many different coverages and limits that it can make it pretty confusing to find the right policy.

The two most common policies that many drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability only (which provides bodily injury and property damage coverage for other drivers and passengers if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which usually refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages alongside what you get with a liability policy).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Direct Auto normally offers significantly less expensive rates of $96 compared to Bristol West's $279. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Direct Auto again has the edge, with policies around $300 per month more affordable than Bristol West, on average.

Is Bristol West or Direct Auto Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

You've probably seen plenty of commercials from auto insurance companies offering great prices for good drivers, but that doesn't mean people with less-than-perfect driving records can't save money, too.

It's no secret secret that accidents and tickets lead to higher premiums, but which company -- Bristol West or Direct Auto -- has the lowest rates for drivers with less-than-ideal driving records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Bristol West policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $100 a month if they get a ticket, while Direct Auto typically raises prices about $38 per month, on average.

That being said, Direct Auto tends to offer the best prices for both drivers who have clean records and those with a recent speeding ticket, offering rates that are 58% and 59% cheaper, respectively, compared to Bristol West.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

After an accident, drivers who have their insurance through Bristol West can expect to see around an $140 -- or about 29% -- increase in their car insurance premiums. Drivers who use Direct Auto for their insurance will see a monthly bill around $47 (or 25%) more expensive after reporting an accident to their auto insurance carrier.

Overall, drivers who use Direct Auto end up with the cheaper prices after an accident, with monthly prices averaging $190 compared to Bristol West's $479.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

On average, a DUI offense is going to cost you much more than a single accident or ticket when it comes to your car insurance bill. For example, Bristol West increases average rates by over $50 a month -- that's just under a 15% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable premiums, Direct Auto tends to be the much more affordable option with average prices of $165 a month compared to $390 from Bristol West.

How does Credit Score Impact Bristol West and Direct Auto Rates?

Did you know that many auto insurance carriers take your credit score into account when calculating rates? This isn't always the case (for example, Massachusetts and Hawaii are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it does affect several drivers out there.

The reasoning insurance companies use is that policyholders with bad credit will be less likely to pay their bills on time; so generally, they'll be asked to pay more, while those with good credit will be rewarded with less expensive premiums.

So, which company offers the most affordable rates for drivers with good, average, or poor credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have a great credit score, you'll usually find a better deal with Direct Auto. Policyholders with "excellent" credit can save nearly 55% compared to Bristol West, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- about $213 or 56% cheaper each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Direct Auto typically offers lower prices than Bristol West when it comes to drivers with bad credit. Drivers with "fair" credit pay around $242 per month less with Direct Auto compared to Bristol West, and those with "poor" scores usually save an average of about $377 monthly.

Is Bristol West or Direct Auto Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

The amount of time you spend behind the wheel of your car plays a big role in how much car insurance carriers will charge for coverage. Generally, the more miles you put on your vehicle each year, the more you can expect to pay for coverage.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Direct Auto charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly premiums for Bristol West, with policyholders who drive the least paying around $3 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles each year. Still, Direct Auto is the more affordable option for drivers in both categories.

Bristol West vs. Direct Auto: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

Where you park your car can play a substantial role in how much you pay for auto insurance. Normally, those who live in rural areas will pay less than drivers in urban areas because there are a lot fewer vehicles on the roads in those areas.

Direct Auto boasts the lowest average rates for drivers in all types of areas, no matter if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

Policyholders in rural ZIP codes see the most affordable premiums from both companies, but Direct Auto comes out on top with average prices about $116 per month. Direct Auto also has less expensive average rates for drivers in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a 58% and 56% a month respective difference when compared to Bristol West policyholders in similar areas.

Bristol West vs. Direct Auto Discounts

You want to save as much money as possible, right? The best way to do that is by taking advantage of as many insurance discounts as you can.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be difficult to find all the ones you can take advantage of or to nail down the company that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile.

In the table below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Bristol West and Direct Auto so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Overall, Direct Auto comes out ahead with 19 discounts to Bristol West's 18.

Both carriers offer many of the same discounts -- like advance quote discounts, discounts for being a defensive driver, EFT discounts, and mobile home policy discounts -- but Direct Auto also offers bike policy discounts, good student discounts, group discounts, and more that Bristol West does not.

On the flip side, Bristol West has a couple unique discounts of its own -- continuous insurance discounts, distant student discounts, minor child discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Bristol West or Direct Auto Best for You?

So, you've seen how different variables can affect your car insurance premiums. We've shown you all the discounts each carrier offers, too. That's all well and good, but at the end of the day, is Bristol West or Direct Auto the best fit for you?

Direct Auto might be best for you if....

• You have a clean driving record, free of collisions, tickets, or DUIs.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" auto insurance.
• You drive fewer than 12,000 miles yearly.

Bristol West might be best for you if...

• You have a more unique driver profile than those we mentioned above.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Bristol West and Direct Auto and that you can now make a more informed decision when it comes to your insurance.

But, at the end of the day, there's only one way to know for sure that you're getting the best possible deal on car insurance -- comparing quotes from multiple companies, not just Bristol West and Direct Auto. Luckily, sites like Compare.com make it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your ZIP code below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best auto insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Bristol West vs. Direct Auto FAQs

Is Bristol West or Direct Auto cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Direct Auto is the cheaper of the two companies, offering average rates of $170 per month compared to $412 for Bristol West. Even so, Direct Auto won't necessarily be the cheapest company for every driver, since there are a range of different factors that come into play when it comes to your car insurance cost.

Who is better, Bristol West or Direct Auto?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". No single carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all comes down to what your unique insurance profile looks like.

Why do Bristol West and Direct Auto offer me different rates?

Auto insurance carriers take a look at quite a few different variables when determining the prices they charge drivers. Factors like where you call home, age, where your home is, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Bristol West and Direct Auto calculate premiums using different variables, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from several different companies.

How do I know if Bristol West or Direct Auto is right for me?

The only way to find the insurance carrier that's right for you is by getting quotes from a handful of carriers and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best car insurance companies in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Bristol West or Direct Auto at all!

Methodology

All of the data referenced in this article has been gathered in collaboration with Quadrant Information Services. We analyzed more than 2.5 million rows of carrier-reported data to calculate the average rates referenced above. All rates are based on an insurance profile of a single-vehicle policy for a driver that owns a 2016 Honda Accord. For more information on how we calculate rates, please reference our data methodology.