Bristol West vs. First American Property & Casualty: Which Company is the Best Fit for You?

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for insurance, First American Property & Casualty offers significantly more affordable premiums than Bristol West
• Bristol West may help you save more money -- they offer more discounts than First American Property & Casualty
• First American Property & Casualty tends to be a much less expensive option for policyholders whose driving record contains an at-fault collision

Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty: Which Company has the Cheapest Car Insurance?

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering hefty savings, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty for your next policy, but which one has cheaper rates for car insurance?

As you can see, Bristol West has average rates that are around 60% a month more expensive than those from First American Property & Casualty when looking at the national average rates for insurance.

Even so, First American Property & Casualty may not be the most affordable or best option for each driver out there. After all, auto insurance carriers can offer drastically different rates to every driver depending on rating factors like your age, where you call home, your driving record, or even your credit score (among other things), so prices could change drastically from person to person.

Wanting to know if Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty is really the right company for you? Keep on reading to see how average premiums can change based on all of the factors we've mentioned above.

Bristol West vs. First American Property & Casualty: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Bristol West and First American Property & Casualty only compete against each other in California, where First American Property & Casualty offers the cheaper average rates. First American Property & Casualty drivers tend to pay about $22 per month less on average compared to drivers who use Bristol West for their insurance.

But there's more to calculating auto insurance premiums than just where you call home. Continue reading to see how other variables will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive car insurance prices of any other group of drivers out there on the road. It's generally because teen drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in an auto insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

That being said, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their insurance. As you can see above, teens who use First American Property & Casualty save almost 55% a month compared to those who use Bristol West.

However, both companies will offer you dramatically lower rates by the time drivers turn 25. First American Property & Casualty 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?

When it comes to auto insurance, patience and experience pay off, with drivers around retirement age paying some of the cheapest prices you can find.

When looking at Bristol West and First American Property & Casualty specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? First American Property & Casualty gets the edge here, with average rates coming in at about $121 monthly compared to Bristol West's $364.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that car insurance premiums are usually more affordable for married couples than they are for single policyholders? That's normally because married policyholders tend to own and insure more than one vehicle, which can often earn you a discount.

For those who are single, the difference in average prices between these two carriers is significant, with First American Property & Casualty rates coming in at around 60% less than Bristol West's. For married drivers, the advantage is clear again - First American Property & Casualty has the edge when it comes to average premiums.

Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty: Average Rates by Gender

Men are statistically more likely than women to get pulled over for speeding or get into a collision, which means they'll typically end up paying more for auto insurance than women.

Surprisingly, with Bristol West, men generallypay about 0% less per month than women; everyone gets the same monthly prices regardless of gender with First American Property & Casualty.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, First American Property & Casualty comes out as the lowest option for both genders. On average, women save about $245 a month and men save around $244 with First American Property & Casualty compared to the average Bristol West policyholder.

Bristol West vs. First American Property & Casualty: 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.

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

But the most common policies that drivers look at fall into two categories -- liability coverage (which provides property damage and bodily injury coverage for other drivers and their passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which normally refers to having collision and comprehensive coverages in addition to liability).

Looking specifically at state minimum liability limits, First American Property & Casualty has the significant edge, with average monthly rates coming in at $70. If you want a full coverage policy with the same state minimum limits, First American Property & Casualty again has the edge, with policies averaging about $263 per month to Bristol West's $544.

Is Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no secret -- drivers with good records end up getting the best deals on their car insurance. But that's not to say you can't save money if you don't have the best driving record, either.

Speeding tickets and collisions will most likely raise your prices, but is Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty less expensive for drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Policyholders who use Bristol West for their auto insurance can typically expect their monthly bill to go up around 23% after getting a speeding ticket. First American Property & Casualty policyholders can expect a less drastic increase of about 18%.

However, First American Property & Casualty has cheaper rates for drivers in both categories. With First American Property & Casualty, drivers with a clean record can save around $220 a month and drivers with a ticket can save about $294 per month.

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% -- rise in their car insurance premiums. Drivers who use First American Property & Casualty for their auto insurance will see a monthly bill around $26 (or 18%) more expensive after reporting a collision to their insurance carrier.

At the end of the day, the less expensive rates come from First American Property & Casualty, with average prices coming in at $145 compared to Bristol West's $479.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge on your record, it's probably going to cost you more than a simple speeding ticket or even an accident. First American Property & Casualty drivers usually see a 54% climb in their car insurance premiums after a DUI charge, while Bristol West will usually increase prices by about 13%.

But if you end up with a DUI charge and are looking for more affordable rates, First American Property & Casualty tends to be cheaper for the average driver, with monthly premiums coming in at around $256 to Bristol West's $390.

How does Credit Score Impact Bristol West and First American Property & Casualty Rates?

Did you know many auto insurance companies take your credit score into account when determining premiums? Certain states and carriers do not allow for credit score to be used as an insurance factor, but it does affect a lot of drivers out there.

Insurance companies argue that someone with bad credit is less likely to pay their bills on time, which makes them riskier to insure. Because of that, policyholders with bad credit will often be forced to pay more.

Looking at Bristol West and First American Property & Casualty specifically, which carrier has the cheapest rates for drivers at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

You'll often be rewarded if you have fantastic credit. Jumping from a "good" credit score to an "excellent" one will generally save Bristol West customers about $40. On the other hand, because First American Property & Casualty doesn't have data available for credit scores, they most likely don't use credit to calculate your premiums.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Having bad credit typically means you'll also see higher prices with Bristol West. If your credit score is in the "poor" range, at Bristol West, you may pay around $150 more a month compared to those with "fair" scores (and even more compared to drivers with good or excellent scores). Because First American Property & Casualty doesn't have data available for credit scores, they may have better rates for drivers with bad credit over Bristol West.

Is Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty Better for Drivers who Work from Home or Have Short Commutes?

Did you know that the amount of time you spend in your car have a pretty big impact on how much car insurance carriers will charge for coverage? Usually, the more milage you put on your car each year, the more you can expect to pay for insurance.

For both remote workers and those taking short commutes, First American Property & Casualty tends to be the more affordable option. Bristol West's average prices for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in more than 65% more expensive than First American Property & Casualty. Those who drive 12,000 miles yearly can expect to pay nearly 55% more with Bristol West over First American Property & Casualty.

Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty: Compare Rates for Urban, Suburban, and Rural Drivers

We've already mentioned how your home state can play a role in how much you pay for car insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a large impact as well. Normally, those who live in urban areas will pay more than policyholders in rural areas since there are a lot more vehicles on the road where they live, which increases the chances of an accident.

First American Property & Casualty boasts the most affordable average prices for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

For drivers in urban ZIP codes, First American Property & Casualty's average premiums are about 68% less than Bristol West. People who live in suburban areas pay around 51% less with First American Property & Casualty compared to Bristol West. Those in rural areas can expect to save about 55% with First American Property & Casualty compared to Bristol West.

Bristol West vs. First American Property & Casualty Discounts

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

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

Luckily, we did the hard work for you and compared all of the different discounts offered by Bristol West and First American Property & Casualty so that you can see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Bristol West knocks First American Property & Casualty out of the park when it comes to the sheer number of discounts available, offering eight more discounts than First American Property & Casualty.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but Bristol West also offers discounts for ABS, advance quote, continuous insurance, and more.

On the other hand, First American Property & Casualty has a few proprietary discounts of their own for things like good student discounts, group discounts, mature driver discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty Best for You?

You've seen the role certain factors have on your car insurance and the different discounts carriers offer. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, is Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty the best carrier for you and your specific needs?

First American Property & Casualty might be best for you if....

• You will be the only person on the insurance policy.
• You live in an suburban area.
• You and your spouse are buying auto insurance together.

Bristol West might be best for you if...

• You have less-than-stellar credit.
• You have above-average credit.
• You're looking for discounts -- Bristol West has the most.

Hopefully, this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Bristol West and First American Property & Casualty. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best 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 several companies, not just Bristol West and First American Property & Casualty. Luckily, Compare.com does all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP codes 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. First American Property & Casualty FAQs

Is Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty cheaper?

First American Property & Casualty is the cheaper of the two companies when looking at national average rates, with policies averaging $167 per month with First American Property & Casualty and $412 for Bristol West. But that doesn't mean First American Property & Casualty will be the cheapest company for each policyholder, since there are multiple different variables that come into play when it comes to your car insurance payment.

Who is better, Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". One carrier is not "better" for every policyholder -- it all depends on the makeup of your unique auto insurance profile. For example, Bristol West is less expensive for drivers with excellent credit, while First American Property & Casualty offers more affordable prices for drivers with a recent DUI.

Why do Bristol West and First American Property & Casualty offer me different rates?

Insurance carriers use lots of different factors when calculating the premiums they charge. Things like your driving record, where you park your car, age, gender, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Bristol West and First American Property & Casualty calculate rates using different variables, so it's likely they'll offer different premiums. The best way to determine which company is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from a variety of different companies.

How do I know if Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty is right for me?

The only way to find the car 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, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your area information and you'll get quotes from dozens of your local top insurance companies for free. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the lowest rate. And maybe you'll find that the best company for you isn't Bristol West or First American Property & Casualty at all, but another you hadn't even thought of!

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.