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

Quick Facts

• Based on national averages for car insurance, Wolverine Mutual offers significantly less expensive premiums than Bristol West
• Bristol West offers more discounts than Wolverine Mutual
• Wolverine Mutual offers more affordable rates for residents of rural areas

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

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

You might have narrowed your search down to Bristol West or Wolverine Mutual, but which one will offer you cheaper premiums?

Looking at the national average rates for both companies, Bristol West has average rates that are about 45% per month more expensive than those from Wolverine Mutual.

That being said, that doesn't necessarily mean Wolverine Mutual will be the more affordable option for every single driver. After all, insurance carriers can offer drastically different rates to each driver depending on rating factors like your driving record, your credit score, where you call home, or even your age (among other things), so rates could differ drastically from person to person.

Wanting to know if Bristol West or Wolverine 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 Wolverine Mutual: Average Car Insurance Rates by State

Bristol West and Wolverine Mutual only compete against each other in Michigan, where Wolverine Mutual offers the cheaper average premiums. For Michigan residents, Wolverine Mutual offers car insurance for $224 monthly on average. Bristol West's average rates come out to be over 70% more expensive, at $650 a month.

There are plenty of other factors that go into your auto insurance cost than just the state you live in. Continue reading to see how other factors will affect your rates.

Which is the Best Company For Young Drivers?

Young drivers -- especially teens -- usually pay a lot for insurance compared to older drivers. That's typically because young, inexperienced drivers are statistically much more likely to get into accidents since they have less experience on the roads.

But that doesn't mean that teen drivers have to just accept sky-high auto insurance prices. For example, 18-year-old drivers pay an average of more than $350 less a month by choosing Wolverine Mutual over Bristol West.

Even so, with both companies, you'll see your premiums lower significantly by the time drivers turn 25. Wolverine Mutual offers the steepest reduction, with 25-year-olds paying a third less what 18-year-old drivers are charged. Bristol West's average prices drop nearly 55% during that same period.

Which is the Best Company for Retired Drivers?

Once you approach retirement age, you'll generally enjoy the lowest car insurance rates out there. You've been on the road for years, and all that experience pays off when it comes to your monthly prices for insurance.

When looking at Bristol West and Wolverine Mutual specifically, which carrier is best for retired drivers? Wolverine Mutual gets the edge, with rates for drivers 65 and older $245 less expensive than the national average for Bristol West.

Which is the Best Company for Married Drivers?

Did you know that car insurance premiums are normally more expensive for those who are single than they are for married policyholders? That's because policies for married couples typically cover multiple cars, which quite a few carriers will offer you a discount for.

When it comes to relationship status, Wolverine Mutual is the clear winner for single drivers, with prices around $217 per month more affordable than Bristol West, on average. The advantage for married drivers with Wolverine Mutual is also obvious, where drivers save almost $150 a month.

Bristol West vs. Wolverine Mutual: Average Rates by Gender

Did you know men usually pay more for auto insurance than women? This is because women are less likely to get into collisions and get speeding tickets, which lowers the chances of an insurance claim.

Surprisingly, women generally pay about $1 per month more than men with Bristol West; and with Wolverine Mutual, both genders end up paying the same monthly price.

Looking at the data for each company specifically, Wolverine Mutual comes out as the cheapest option for both genders, with average premiums 45% less for men and 46% cheaper for women.

Bristol West or Wolverine 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.

For most people, insurance isn't the easiest topic to understand. Everyone needs auto insurance, but there are so many different terms and coverages 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 and passengers if you cause an accident) and full coverage (which normally refers to having comprehensive and collision coverages in addition to liability coverage).

If you're looking for state minimum liability insurance, Wolverine Mutual usually offers significantly cheaper rates of $114 compared to Bristol West's $279. When it comes to full coverage policies with similar limits, Wolverine Mutual again has the edge, with policies around $200 a month less expensive than Bristol West, on average.

Is Bristol West or Wolverine Mutual 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.

Accidents and tickets will most likely raise your prices, but is Bristol West or Wolverine Mutual cheaper 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 Wolverine Mutual typically raises rates about $29 a month, on average.

However, Wolverine Mutual has more affordable prices for drivers in both categories, offering rates that are $193 and $264 less expensive, 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 premiums climb by just under $150, while those who have insurance through Wolverine Mutual will see around a $40 increase.

Overall, Wolverine Mutual offers the most affordable prices for drivers with an at-fault accident on their records, with monthly premiums averaging $188 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 collision or speeding ticket when it comes to your auto insurance bill. On average, Wolverine Mutual will climb your rates about 62% after a DUI, while Bristol West's average prices rise by just under 15%.

If you have a DUI on your record and are looking for more affordable rates, Wolverine Mutual tends to be the much more affordable option with average premiums of $389 per month compared to $390 from Bristol West.

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

Did you know that many car insurance companies take into account your credit score when calculating prices? This isn't always the case (for example, Hawaii and Michigan are two states that ban the practice entirely), but it will come into play for several policyholders.

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

Looking specifically at Wolverine Mutual and Bristol West, which carrier has the cheapest premiums for policyholders at different credit levels?

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Good Credit?

Michigan is one of a small number of states that restricts auto insurance companies from using credit scores to calculate rates. And since Wolverine Mutual is only available in Michigan, there is no data available on how credit score impacts premiums because it's not a factor at all. This may be a good thing, since Bristol West and other carriers tend to increase rates quite a bit in other states if you don't have excellent credit.

Which Company is Best for Drivers with Bad Credit?

If you have a below average credit score and live in Michigan, the good news is it won't cost you extra when it comes to car insurance. As you can see, poor credit can really cost Bristol West drivers in other states, but no need to worry if you live in Michigan.

Is Bristol West or Wolverine Mutual 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 your monthly prices. Normally, the more miles you put on your vehicle each year, the more you can expect to pay for insurance.

As you can see in the table above, annual mileage doesn't have much of an impact on how much Wolverine Mutual charges. However, there's a small difference in monthly premiums for Bristol West, with policyholders who drive 6,000 miles yearly paying around $3 less every month compared to those who drive 12,000 miles each year. Still, Wolverine Mutual is the cheaper option for drivers in both categories.

Bristol West vs. Wolverine Mutual: 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 auto insurance, but the type of area you live in can have a large impact as well. Generally, those who live in rural areas will pay less than drivers in urban areas because there are a lot fewer cars on the roads in those areas.

Wolverine Mutual boasts the most affordable average premiums for drivers in all areas, regardless of if they're urban, suburban, or rural.

For policyholders in urban ZIP codes, Wolverine Mutual offers prices about $344 monthly compared to Bristol West's $539. People who live in suburban ZIP codes can expect to pay around $192 per month for Wolverine Mutual and $386 for Bristol West. Lastly, those in rural areas tend to get the lowest rates from both companies, with average monthly prices coming in at $137 and $309 for Wolverine Mutual and Bristol West respectively.

Bristol West vs. Wolverine Mutual 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, and the best way to do that is by utilizing as many car insurance discounts as you can.

But with what seems like a million different discounts out there, it can be challenging 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 compared all of the different discounts offered by Bristol West and Wolverine Mutual so that you can find the company that has the most discounts and, therefore, the biggest savings.

Bristol West blows Wolverine Mutual away when it comes to the sheer amount of discounts available, offering 18 different discounts to Wolverine Mutual's nine.

Both carriers offer many of the same discounts -- like ABS discounts, distant student discounts, and discounts for insuring multiple cars with the same company -- but Bristol West also offers advance quote discounts, anti-theft discounts, continuous insurance discounts, and more that Wolverine Mutual does not.

On the flip side, Wolverine Mutual has a couple unique discounts of its own -- discounts for being a good student, military discounts, and seat belt discounts.

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

You've seen the effect certain variables have on your insurance and the different discounts companies offer. But, when it comes down to it, which insurance carrier is the right one for you, your vehicle, and your wallet?

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

• You want to save money on your car insurance after an accident.
• Your credit score is high.
• You're married and plan to have both of your names on the vehicle's auto insurance policy.

Bristol West might be best for you if...

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

We hope this guide has ben a valuable resource as you compare Bristol West and Wolverine Mutual and that it aids in making a more informed decision about 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 auto insurance -- comparing quotes from a handful of carriers, not just Bristol West and Wolverine Mutual. Luckily, sites like Compare.com do all the hard work for you. Just enter your ZIP code below and get multiple free quotes from some of the best car insurance companies in your area, all in just a few minutes.

Bristol West vs. Wolverine Mutual FAQs

Is Bristol West or Wolverine Mutual cheaper?

Looking just at the national average rates, Wolverine Mutual is the more affordable of the two carriers, offering average rates of $224 a month compared to $412 for Bristol West. But Wolverine Mutual won't necessarily be the cheapest carrier for every policyholder, since there are a range of different factors that come into play when it comes to your insurance bill.

Who is better, Bristol West or Wolverine Mutual?

Sadly, the real answer is "it depends.". One company is not "better" for each driver -- it all comes down to what your unique auto insurance profile looks like.

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

Car insurance companies take a look at many different variables when determining the premiums they charge drivers. Things like where you call home, age, gender, where you park your vehicle, and sometimes even things like your credit score can all be used. Both Bristol West and Wolverine Mutual use different formulas, so each one will most likely offer different prices. The only real way to see which carrier is the most affordable for you is by comparing personalized quotes from multiple different carriers.

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

The only way to find the 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 car insurance carriers in your area. That way, you can guarantee you're getting the best premium. And who knows, the best carrier for you might not be Bristol West or Wolverine 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.