How to report a Bristol West claim
- Phone: 1-800-274-7865, Monday–Friday 8 am–7 pm Eastern (5 am–4 pm Pacific).
- Online: claim reporting on bristolwest.com, available 24 hours a day.
After hours in Los Angeles, the fastest way is to report online, then call us. We can tow the car and start the inspection while the claim is being set up.
You choose the shop, not Bristol West
California's Auto Body Repair Consumer Bill of Rights says it plainly: an insurance company can't require you to have the repairs done at a specific body shop. You also have the right to a written, itemized estimate, to know what your policy covers for towing, storage and a rental car, and to get your own estimate from a registered shop while your claim is open.
Bristol West is a member of the Farmers Insurance Group of Companies. Whatever company is on your card, California law is the same: you choose where the car is repaired.
Who pays
- The other driver was at fault: their insurer pays; you usually pay nothing.
- You were at fault: only collision coverage pays for your car. Liability-only policies don’t cover your own car, so check your declarations page.
- Not sure: report it anyway and send us the claim number.
How we handle a Bristol West claim at GV
- Tow or drop-off. If the car can't be driven, we tow it to our shop in Downtown LA for free when we do the repair.
- Photos and teardown. We document all the damage, including what's hidden behind the bumper and panels.
- Estimate and adjuster. We send the estimate and photos to Bristol West and work directly with the adjuster.
- Supplements. If more damage shows up during the repair, we send Bristol West a supplement for approval before we continue.
- Repair and report. Factory procedures, color-matched paint, a written report with photos at pickup, and a 3-year warranty on body and paint.
You get text updates the whole way. Hablamos español.
GV Auto Collision is an independent repair shop and is not affiliated with Bristol West. Insurer phone numbers and programs are taken from Bristol West's website and can change; check your policy and insurance card. General information, not legal advice.