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

Quick Facts

• Looking at the national averages for car insurance, Vermont Mutual offers significantly cheaper premiums than Bristol West
• Bristol West offers more discounts than Vermont Mutual
• Vermont Mutual offers less expensive average rates for policyholders who drive a short distance to work everyday

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

So, you're thinking about switching your auto insurance. You've probably seen commercials and billboards from companies offering big discounts, but exactly how much money can you save by switching?

You might have narrowed your search down to Bristol West or Vermont Mutual as your top options, but between the two, which carrier will save you the most?

Looking at nationwide averages, Vermont Mutual has average rates that are about 60% per month more affordable than those from Bristol West.

But Vermont Mutual may not be the most affordable or best option for each driver out there. Auto insurance companies vary their premiums depending on things like how old you are, how good your credit score is, how clean your driving record is, where you live, and a ton of other factors, so rates could differ drastically from person to person.

Wanting to know if Bristol West or Vermont Mutual is really the right company 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 Vermont Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Bristol West and Vermont Mutual only compete against each other in one states, with Vermont Mutual offering less expensive rates to the average driver in all of them. Maine has the most noticable difference, where Vermont Mutual premiums are more affordable than car insurance prices at Bristol West.

There are plenty of other factors that go into your insurance payment than just your home state. Keep reading to find out more.

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 other group of drivers. It's generally because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into an accident that results in a car insurance claim, making them much riskier to insure.

Even so, that doesn't mean teen drivers can't still save money on their insurance. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of nearly $450 less a month by choosing Vermont Mutual over Bristol West.

That being said, both carriers will lower premiums by the time you turn 25. For example, average prices for Bristol West policyholders decrease almost 55% and Vermont Mutual's rates drop more than 50% over that time.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll usually enjoy the cheapest car insurance premiums you can find. You've been on the road for years, and all that experience pays off when it comes to your monthly prices for insurance.

So, which carrier offers the best rates to retired drivers? Vermont Mutual gets the edge, with prices for drivers 65 and older $233 cheaper than the national average for Bristol West.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Married drivers tend to get slightly less expensive auto insurance rates than those who are single. That's because policies for married couples normally cover multiple cars, which quite a few companies will offer you a discount for.

When it comes to relationship status, Vermont Mutual is the clear winner for single policyholders, with premiums around $269 per month more affordable than Bristol West, on average. For married policyholders, the advantage is clear again - Vermont Mutual has the edge when it comes to average rates.

Bristol West vs. Vermont Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Women tend to pay less for car insurance than men. This is because men are statistically more likely than women to get into collisions and get tickets, which leads to increased risk for insurers and, therefore, higher prices.

Surprisingly, women typically pay about $1 a month more than men with Bristol West, and nearly $15 with Vermont Mutual.

When it comes to the most affordable premiums for each gender, Vermont Mutual offers the cheapest average prices for both men and women. On average, women save about $246 per month and men save around $231 with Vermont Mutual compared to the average Bristol West policyholder.

Bristol West or Vermont Mutual: 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.

It's no secret that auto insurance can be a complicated subject for most people. Everyone needs car insurance, but there are so many different coverages and limits that it can be hard to find the right policy.

The two most common policies end up falling into two different types of coverage -- liability only (which provides bodily injury and property damage coverage for other drivers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which generally refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages alongside what you get with a liability policy).

If you're looking for state minimum liability limits, Vermont Mutual normally offers significantly cheaper premiums of $85 compared to Bristol West's $279. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Vermont Mutual again has the edge, with policies about $300 a month more affordable than Bristol West, on average.

Is Bristol West or Vermont Mutual Better for Drivers with Spotty Records?

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

It's no secret secret that tickets and accidents lead to higher rates, but which company -- Bristol West or Vermont Mutual -- has the lowest prices for drivers with less-than-perfect records?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Speeding Tickets?

Bristol West policyholders can expect their premiums to go up an average of $100 per month if they get a ticket, while Vermont Mutual usually raises rates around $7 a month, on average.

However, Vermont Mutual is normally the less expensive option for both drivers who have a recent speeding ticket and those with clean records, offering premiums that are $222 and $315 cheaper, respectively, compared to Bristol West.

Which Company is Best for Drivers After an Accident?

Bristol West drivers who get in a collision can expect to see their prices climb by just under 30%, while those who have insurance through Vermont Mutual will see about a 20% increase.

Overall, Vermont Mutual offers the cheapest rates for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly premiums averaging $144 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 ticket or even an accident. For example, Vermont Mutual increases average rates by just under $200 per month -- that's over a 60% increase.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable prices, Vermont Mutual tends to be the much more affordable option with average premiums of $307 monthly compared to $390 from Bristol West.

How does Credit Score Impact Bristol West and Vermont Mutual Rates?

Did you know that many car insurance carriers take your credit score into account when calculating prices? This isn't always the case (for example, Michigan and Massachusetts are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it does affect lots of policyholders out there.

The reasoning auto insurance companies use is that drivers with good credit will be more likely to pay their bills on time; so they'll reward them with cheaper rates, while those with poor credit will typically be forced to pay more.

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

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

If you have solid credit, you'll usually find a better deal with Vermont Mutual. Drivers with "excellent" credit can save just under 70% compared to Bristol West, and those with "good" scores can also expect to see savings -- around $259 or 68% cheaper each month.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

Vermont Mutual typically offers lower premiums than Bristol West when it comes to drivers with a below average credit score. Drivers with "fair" credit pay about $251 a month less with Vermont Mutual compared to Bristol West, and those with "poor" scores usually save an average of around $266 a month.

Is Bristol West or Vermont Mutual 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 your monthly insurance cost? 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 Vermont Mutual charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly rates for Bristol West, with policyholders who drive the least paying about $3 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles yearly. Still, Vermont Mutual is the less expensive option for drivers in both categories.

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

Where you call home can have a big impact on your monthly auto insurance bill. Usually, policyholders who live in heavily-populated urban areas will pay quite a bit more than rural drivers due to the number of cars that are on the roads in those areas.

Vermont Mutual tends to offer the lowest prices 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 rates from both carriers, but Vermont Mutual comes out on top with average premiums around $152 per month. Vermont Mutual also has more affordable average prices for drivers in urban and suburban ZIP codes -- a 63% and 56% per month respective difference when compared to Bristol West policyholders in similar areas.

Bristol West vs. Vermont Mutual 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 hard to nail down the carrier that has the most discounts for your unique driver profile and to find all the discounts you qualify for.

In the table below, we've broken down all of the different discounts offered by both Bristol West and Vermont Mutual so that you can easily see which company offers the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Looking at the total number of discounts, Bristol West has the advantage when it comes to total number of discounts. Vermont Mutual offers a grand total of 14 discounts, while Bristol West has 18.

A couple of those are overlapping for things like anti-theft discounts, distant student discounts, and paid in full discounts. Bristol West also offers continuous insurance discounts, defensive driver discounts, EFT discounts, and more that Vermont Mutual does not.

On the flip side, Vermont Mutual has a couple unique discounts of its own -- annual mileage discounts, discounts for getting driver training, experienced operator discounts, and more.

Final Thoughts: Is Bristol West or Vermont Mutual Best for You?

You've seen the effect certain factors have on your car insurance and the different discounts companies offer. That's all well and good, but when it comes down to it, is Bristol West or Vermont Mutual the right one for you and your specific profile and needs?

Vermont Mutual might be best for you if....

• Your driving record contains an at-fault collision.
• Your credit score is high.
• You live in a rural neighborhood.

Bristol West might be best for you if...

• You're looking for the company with the most discounts.

We hope this guide helps you get a good idea of the differences between Bristol West and Vermont Mutual. We also hope we've given you the information you need to make the best decision when it comes to your auto insurance.

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

Bristol West vs. Vermont Mutual FAQs

Is Bristol West or Vermont Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average premiums, Vermont Mutual is the less expensive of the two carriers, offering average rates of $173 a month compared to $412 for Bristol West. That being said, Vermont Mutual won't necessarily be the lowest carrier for each policyholder, since there are many different variables that come into play when it comes to your insurance payment.

Who is better, Bristol West or Vermont Mutual?

Sadly, the only answer we can give you is "it depends.". Neither company is necessarily "better" for everyone -- it all depends on what your unique car insurance profile looks like.

Why do Bristol West and Vermont Mutual offer me different rates?

Auto insurance companies take a look at many different factors when determining the prices they charge drivers. Variables such as gender, where you park your vehicle, age, your driving record, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be taken into consideration. Both Bristol West and Vermont Mutual use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different rates. The only real way to see which carrier is the cheapest for you is by comparing personalized quotes from lots of different carriers.

How do I know if Bristol West or Vermont Mutual is right for me?

The only way to find the car insurance company that's right for you is by getting quotes from multiple companies and finding the one best suited for your individual budget. Luckily, Compare.com makes it easy for you to do just that. Just enter your area information and you'll get free quotes from dozens of the best insurance carriers in your area. With those, you can guarantee you're getting the best price. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Bristol West or Vermont Mutual 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.