Foremost markets auto insurance but does not underwrite it — Bristol West, a fellow Farmers company, writes and services the policy.
Foremost is a Farmers Insurance company that built its name on the risks other carriers avoid — mobile and manufactured homes, RVs, motorcycles, boats, and collector cars. It still markets auto insurance, but it has not underwritten that book since 2018: Bristol West writes and services the policies, and they are aimed at nonstandard drivers who struggle to qualify elsewhere. Here is an independent look at Foremost auto insurance, its estimated rates, and how it compares in 2026.
Foremost has been in the insurance business since 1952 and has been part of Farmers Insurance Group since 2000, operating out of the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. Its reputation rests on specialty property and vehicle coverage: mobile and manufactured homes, RVs and travel trailers, motorcycles, boats, collector cars, vacant and seasonal dwellings, and oddities like golf carts and snowmobiles. Auto is the exception. Foremost rebranded its automobile book to Bristol West in 2018, and today it markets auto insurance without underwriting it — Bristol West, another Farmers company, writes and services those policies, targeting nonstandard and high-risk drivers who need SR-22 filings, minimum limits, or coverage after a lapse. Policies are sold through independent agents rather than direct online, and they are backed by Farmers' A (Excellent) financial-strength rating from AM Best. The trade-off is price: nonstandard auto premiums run well above the standard market.
Independent market estimates based on NAIC rate filings and state insurance department data. Not provided by or endorsed by Foremost. Actual rates vary by state, ZIP, and individual profile.
| Driver profile | Est. annual premium | vs. market avg. | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clean record, 30–45 | ~$2,010/yr | Above avg. | Nonstandard base pricing |
| Single accident (3 yrs) | ~$2,720/yr | Above avg. | High-risk surcharge applies |
| DUI on record | ~$3,520/yr | Near avg. | SR-22 filing available in most states |
| Young driver (18–24) | ~$3,680/yr | Above avg. | First-time buyers pay the most |
| Senior driver (65+) | ~$2,100/yr | Above avg. | Depends heavily on prior record |
| Lower credit tier | ~$3,140/yr | Above avg. | Credit scoring applies where legal |
ⓘ Source: NAIC filings and state regulatory data. Not quotes from Foremost. Verify pricing directly with the carrier or a licensed agent.
Foremost is best understood as a specialty insurer that also touches auto, not as an auto carrier that also does specialty. Its real strength is writing what the standard market will not: manufactured homes, seasonal dwellings, RVs, and vehicles with unusual use patterns, backed by Farmers' A (Excellent) financial strength and a deep independent-agent network. On the auto side, coverage generally comes through the Bristol West relationship and is aimed at nonstandard drivers, which is genuinely useful if you have a DUI, a lapse, or a string of violations and need an SR-22 filed. The cost of that access is price. Nonstandard rates sit well above the standard market across almost every driver profile, and a clean-record driver has little reason to start here. Foremost is also agent-only, so there is no instant online purchase, and its auto book is small enough that national service studies barely cover it. If your record is clean, treat Foremost as a comparison point rather than a destination.
Foremost makes sense if you own a mobile home, an RV, or a specialty vehicle, or if your driving record has put standard-market carriers out of reach and you need an agent who can place hard risks. Drivers with a clean record will almost certainly find lower rates elsewhere. Comparing Foremost against other carriers in your area is the fastest way to see where it lands for your profile.
Disclaimer: RateWire is an independent lead generation and comparison service and is not affiliated with, authorized by, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected to Foremost. All carrier names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners used solely for informational and comparison purposes. Rate figures are independent market estimates from publicly available NAIC and state regulatory data — not quotes from Foremost. By submitting your ZIP code, you may be connected with licensed insurance agents or carriers who will provide actual quotes based on your individual profile. Always verify coverage terms and pricing directly with the carrier or a licensed agent before purchasing.