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

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for auto insurance, Bristol West offers significantly more affordable rates than Hanover
• Bristol West has less expensive premiums for policyholders who may not have much of a commute
• Hanover offers more discounts than Bristol West

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

Are you in the market for a new insurance policy? With so many ads from all sorts of companies offering big discounts, you're probably wondering exactly how much you might be able to save.

You've maybe even narrowed your search down to Bristol West or Hanover as your top options, but which one will save you the most?

As you can see, Bristol West is quite a bit cheaper than Hanover, with rates averaging $412 per month compared to $853 with Hanover when looking at the national average rates for car insurance.

Even so, that doesn't mean Bristol West will necessarily be cheaper than Hanover for every driver. Insurance companies vary their prices depending on things like where you live, how old you are, how good your credit score is, how clean your driving record is, and a ton of other factors, so premiums could differ drastically from person to person.

So, if you want to find out which of Bristol West or Hanover is really the best for you, keep reading to see average rates for each carrier broken down by lots of different rate factors.

Bristol West or Hanover: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Bristol West and Hanover only compete against each other in one states, with Bristol West offering less expensive prices to the average driver in all of them. Michigan has the most noticable difference, where Bristol West premiums are over 70% cheaper than auto insurance rates at Hanover.

But there's more to car insurance than just where you call home. As we mentioned above, there's a lot of things that go into how insurance carriers calculate your prices. Keep reading to find out more.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Teen drivers will almost always have the most expensive auto insurance premiums of any other group of drivers. That's normally because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

However, that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high insurance rates. As you can see above, teens who use Bristol West save more than $500 a month compared to those who use Hanover.

That being said, both companies will offer you dramatically lower prices once you turn 25. For example, average premiums for Bristol West policyholders lower nearly $450 and Hanover's rates reduce over $500 over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Drivers around retirement age usually enjoy some of the cheapest car insurance prices you'll ever find. After all, they've likely been driving for quite some time, which typically lowers their chances of accidents and other infractions that can increase premiums.

So, which company offers the best prices to retired drivers? Bristol West gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older more than 40% more affordable than the national average for Hanover.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Single policyholders tend to get offered slightly more expensive auto insurance premiums than married policyholders. This usually boils down to married drivers having more than one car on their policy -- something lots of insurance carriers will reward with discounts.

When it comes to relationship status, Bristol West is the clear winner for single drivers, with prices about $533 per month cheaper than Hanover, on average. The advantage is also clear for married couples - Bristol West offers the most affordable average rates.

Bristol West vs. Hanover: Average Rates by Gender

Women generally to pay less for car insurance than men. This is because men are more likely to get into accidents and get tickets, which raises the chances of an insurance claim.

Surprisingly, women typically pay around 0% more a month than men with Bristol West, while with Hanover, the difference is closer to 7% per month.

When it comes to the lowest premiums for each gender, Bristol West comes out on top for both men and women. On average, women save about $411 a month and men save about $472 with Bristol West compared to the average Hanover policyholder.

Bristol West or Hanover: 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.

Auto insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. There are many different coverages that account for several different things. Some protect you and your vehicle, while others only provide coverage for other people's property and health if you cause an accident.

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 if you cause a collision) and full coverage (which includes comprehensive and collision coverages that protect your own vehicle, in addition to what you get with liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum limits for liability insurance, Bristol West normally offers significantly less expensive rates of $279 compared to Hanover's $509. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Bristol West again has the edge, with policies around $500 per month more affordable than Hanover, on average.

Is Bristol West or Hanover Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

It's no big secret that drivers who are accident-free get better deals on their car insurance. But even if you have a spotty record, you can still find plenty of ways to save some cash on your monthly bill.

You'll probably end up paying more with tickets and at-fault collisions on your record, but which of these two companies offers the cheapest premiums to drivers with spotty records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Bristol West policyholders can expect their prices to go up an average of $100 a month if they get a ticket, while Hanover usually raises premiums about $221 per month, on average.

But Bristol West is generally the cheaper option for both drivers who have clean records and those with a recent speeding ticket -- their rates are around 45% less expensive for drivers with clean records and 48% more affordable for those with a ticket.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Bristol West drivers who get in an accident can expect to see their prices climb by just under $150, while those who have insurance through Hanover will see around a $350 increase.

Overall, the cheaper rates come from Bristol West, with monthly prices averaging $479 compared to Hanover Insurance's $943.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with a DUI?

If you get a DUI charge, you can expect some pretty significant increases in your monthly auto insurance bill -- usually a lot more than a collision or ticket. Hanover drivers usually see a 39% increase in their insurance rates after a DUI charge, while Bristol West will typically raise premiums by about 13%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable rates, Bristol West tends to be the much less expensive option with average prices of $390 per month compared to 1013 from Hanover.

How does Credit Score Impact Bristol West and Hanover Rates?

You may not have known, but your credit score can come into play when carriers determine your monthly bill. Certain states and companies do not allow for credit score to be used as a rating factor, but it might come into play for quite a few policyholders.

The reasoning auto insurance carriers use is that drivers with bad credit will be less likely to pay their bills on time; so normally, they'll be asked to pay more, while those with good credit will be rewarded with more affordable premiums.

So, which carrier offers the best rates for policyholders with poor, average, or good credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Is Bristol West or Hanover 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 large impact on your monthly insurance bill? Generally, those who drive fewer miles will end up with cheaper prices since there's less of a chance of getting into an accident and causing an insurance claim.

For both drivers who put 6,000 miles on their vehicles annually, as well as those who average twice that figure, Bristol West offers less expensive premiums than Hanover. Bristol West's average rates for drivers with 6,000 annual miles come in over 50% more affordable than Hanover. Those who drive 12,000 miles yearly can expect to pay more than 50% less with Bristol West over Hanover.

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

Where your home is can have a big impact on your monthly car insurance cost. Usually, drivers who live in heavily-populated urban areas will pay quite a bit more than rural policyholders because there are a lot more cars on the roads in those areas.

When comparing these two companies side-by-side, Bristol West generally comes out as the most affordable option for drivers in every type of area, no matter if it's urban, suburban, or rural.

Drivers in rural ZIP codes see the lowest prices from both carriers, but Bristol West comes out on top with average premiums around $309 monthly. Bristol West also has cheaper average rates for policyholders in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a $427 and $456 a month respective difference when compared to Hanover drivers in similar areas.

Bristol West vs. Hanover Discounts

Regardless of why you might be in the market for a new insurance policy, you're always going to want to save as much money as possible. That's where car insurance discounts comes into play.

But where do you even start? With what seems like a million different discounts out there, it may be challenging to find all the ones you qualify for.

Below, we've taken a look at all of the different discounts Bristol West and Hanover offer their customers so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and see which ones you might be able to take advantage of.

Looking at the total number of discounts, Hanover comes out ahead with 21 discounts to Bristol West's 18.

There are a couple discounts both companies offer, but Hanover also offers annual mileage discounts, driver training discounts, DRL 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, minor child discounts, mobile home policy discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Bristol West or Hanover Best for You?

So, we've broken down the average prices for many of the factors auto insurance carriers look at, and walked through the different discounts each company offers, too. But, when it comes down to it, which carrier is the best company for you and your specific profile and needs?

Bristol West might be best for you if....

• You have a DUI charge on your record.
• You're looking for more protection with "full coverage" car insurance.
• You've started working from home and don't have much of a commute.

Hanover might be best for you if...

• You want to save extra money with discounts.

We hope this guide helps you get a better idea of the difference between Bristol West and Hanover and that it aids in making a more informed decision about your insurance.

At the end of the day, the best way to make sure you're getting the best deal on your auto insurance policy is to compare quotes from several companies, not just Bristol West and Hanover. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Simply enter your ZIP code below and get free quotes from dozens of the top car insurance carriers in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Bristol West vs. Hanover FAQs

Is Bristol West or Hanover cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Bristol West is the less expensive of the two companies, offering average rates of $412 per month compared to $853 for Hanover. However, Bristol West won't necessarily be the cheapest company for each policyholder, since there are multiple different variables that come into play when it comes to your insurance payment.

Who is better, Bristol West or Hanover?

Unfortunately, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither carrier is "better" for everyone -- it all boils down to your unique auto insurance profile. For example, Bristol West offers more affordable rates for drivers with a recent DUI, while Hanover is less expensive for drivers with excellent credit.

Why do Bristol West and Hanover offer me different rates?

Car insurance carriers take a look at several different factors when calculating the prices they charge policyholders. Variables such as gender, age, your driving record, where you park your vehicle, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Bristol West and Hanover calculate premiums differently, 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 a range of different companies.

How do I know if Bristol West or Hanover 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 area information and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best auto insurance companies in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the lowest rate. And who knows, the best company for you might not be Bristol West or Hanover 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.