Shelter Insurance review 2024
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At a glance
Score breakdown
Auto
3.8
Cost & ratings
3.7
Coverage
4.0
Support
3.8
Home
3.5
Cost & ratings
2.7
Coverage
4.3
Support
4.5
About Bankrate Score
Bankrate's take
Policyholders who value top-notch customer service over strong digital tools might consider Shelter Insurance as their company of choice — as long as they live in a state where Shelter does business.
- No. 1 J.D. Power score for auto insurance customer satisfaction in Central region
- Only available in 15 states
- Uncommon coverage options and discounts for auto and home insurance
- 8 types of life insurance policies, including life insurance for children
- Low NAIC Complaint Index scores
New
In September 2023, AM Best revised the outlook for Shelter’s long-term issuer credit ratings (ICRs) from stable to negative, indicating that the company’s ability to meet ongoing financial obligations has weakened. However, Shelter’s AM Best financial strength score — the measure of a carrier’s ability to pay out claims — is still A (Excellent), putting it in the same tier as many big-name national providers.
Shelter car insurance review
Shelter Insurance is a regional insurance carrier with a 3.8 Bankrate Score for auto insurance. Limited third-party rankings put Shelter’s score a bit lower than some top-rated carriers, but the company could still be a solid choice for drivers in the 15 states that Shelter serves.
Customer service may be Shelter’s greatest advantage. In 2023, Shelter became the top-ranked insurer for customer satisfaction in the Central region of J.D. Power’s U.S. Auto Insurance Study for the third year running. Shelter’s coverage options are also more generous than many other insurers, with roadside assistance and new car replacement included in every policy. The company offers some uncommon optional coverage types, such as disability income coverage and loss of use coverage, which offers a one-time payout when your car’s in the shop following a claim.
Pros and cons of Shelter car insurance
It’s important to look at the big picture when shopping for car insurance quotes. If you’re considering Shelter car insurance but are unsure how it stacks up, consider these pros and cons.
Pros
- Ranked No. 1 for customer satisfaction in the Central region per J.D. Power
- Robust coverage options
- Roadside assistance and new car replacement included in all policies
Cons
- Not available nationwide
- High average rates for young drivers
- No accident forgiveness
Shelter car insurance cost
According to proprietary rate data from Quadrant Information Services, Shelter’s average annual premium for a full coverage policy is $2,152. Its rate for a minimum coverage policy is $606 per year, on average. Nationally, the average annual cost of car insurance for full and minimum coverage is $2,458 and $678, respectively.
How much is Shelter car insurance?
Car insurance companies consider several rating factors to determine your premium, and your driving history may be one of the most significant. Some types of driving activity can be weighed more heavily than others, as demonstrated in the tables below. Not all companies will offer a policy to a driver with a DUI on their record, so you may want to contact a local agent for more information regarding DUI premiums.
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Good driver, good credit
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Shelter full coverage premium
$2,177
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National full coverage premium
$2,458
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Shelter full coverage premium
$4,372
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National full coverage premium
$4,502
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|
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Shelter full coverage premium
$2,225
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National full coverage premium
$2,975
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|
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Shelter full coverage premium
$2,710
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National full coverage premium
$3,508
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|
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Shelter full coverage premium
$2,547
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National full coverage premium
$4,713
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Shelter car insurance quotes by age
Due to their inexperience behind the wheel and heightened accident risk, younger drivers typically pay the highest premiums. However, how much these drivers cost to insure will also be impacted by whether they are listed on their parents' policy or if they have a policy of their own. Note that drivers under 18 cannot legally sign a binding contract or have their own insurance policy.
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Shelter full coverage premium
$2,385
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National full coverage premium
$5,229
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|
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Shelter full coverage premium
$2,216
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National full coverage premium
$4,501
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|
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Shelter full coverage premium
$4,894
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National full coverage premium
$4,972
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|
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Shelter full coverage premium
$3,051
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National full coverage premium
$3,031
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Shelter full coverage premium
$2,680
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National full coverage premium
$2,622
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Shelter full coverage premium
$2,177
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National full coverage premium
$2,458
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Shelter full coverage premium
$1,755
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National full coverage premium
$2,220
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Compare Shelter car insurance rates
Shelter may or may not be the cheapest car insurance company for some drivers in the regions it serves. But every insurer calculates premiums differently based on your unique profile, which means that comparing quotes is the only way to determine which carrier is cheapest for you. The table below shows average rates from Shelter and other auto insurance companies and may serve as a good starting point for your comparison shopping. However, your rates are likely to differ from those below based on your vehicle, driving record, age and more.
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$2,152
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$606
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$2,743
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$874
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$2,254
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$694
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$2,023
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$555
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$3,054
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$919
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$1,921
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$565
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$1,905
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$688
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$2,688
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$886
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$2,001
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$545
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$2,036
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$750
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Shelter customer satisfaction
Affordable rates are important when looking for the best insurance company, but price isn’t the only consideration. In fact, some shoppers may value customer service above all else. Bankrate analyzed available third-party scores from J.D. Power and AM Best to shed light on Shelter’s customer satisfaction, digital tools and financial strength. Shelter ranked first in the Central region in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for customer satisfaction. It also received an excellent rating from AM Best for financial strength. However, Shelter was not included in the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study.
Shelter auto claims satisfaction
Out of all the companies assessed, Shelter was number one in customer satisfaction for the Central region in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study for the third year in a row, scoring 10 points above the second-place insurer. This indicates that many of Shelter’s auto policyholders are satisfied with the level of service Shelter provides. The company also ranked above average for customer satisfaction in the 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study.
Shelter auto insurance customer complaints
The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), which tracks customer complaints for U.S. insurers, reported a 2023 complaint index of 0.27 for Shelter’s private passenger auto insurance product. This is well below the industry baseline of 1.00, meaning that Shelter receives fewer complaints than average based on its size.
Shelter car insurance discounts
If you’re wondering how to lower your car insurance premiums, Shelter advertises more than a dozen car insurance discounts on its website — some for new customers switching to Shelter and others for existing customers. To name a few, available discounts include:
- Prior carrier tenure discount: Available to customers at the new business stage. You may earn a discount based on the tenure earned with your prior insurer when switching your auto insurance over to Shelter.
- Pay in full discount: Paying your premium in full every six months or once a year could net you up to 10 percent in savings.
- Bundling discounts: Certain policyholders who also have life or property insurance through Shelter could qualify for a discount on their policy.
- Driver training course discount: In qualifying states, you could earn a discount if a listed driver under 21 years old completes a driver’s training course.
- Loyalty discount: If you stay with Shelter for a certain number of years, you may begin to earn discounts when you renew your policy.
- Accident prevention course discount: Taking an approved accident prevention course could earn you a discount if you’re the primary driver on your policy.
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Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Shelter home insurance review
Home insurance from Shelter may be a good choice for homeowners looking for customizable coverage in the states it serves, especially if they already have an auto insurance policy through Shelter. While Shelter advertises a generous number of endorsements and discounts for its home insurance product, Bankrate’s insurance editorial team awarded it a Bankrate Score of 3.5 out of 5.0 possible points. Higher rates, limited availability and a lack of J.D. Power ratings contributed to Shelter’s home insurance score.
Pros and cons of Shelter homeowners insurance
The pros and cons below could help you better understand what you may expect from a Shelter homeowners policy when comparing quotes with other companies:
Pros
- Ample endorsement options
- Several discounts are available
- A (Excellent) financial strength rating per AM Best
Cons
- Not available in every state
- Customer service only available during business hours
- Average rates are not available
Shelter home insurance cost
The national average cost for homeowners insurance in 2024 is $2,285 per year. However, average rates for Shelter home insurance are unavailable. If you’re looking for the cheapest homeowners insurance company, experts recommend shopping around and gathering quotes from several insurers.
Shelter customer satisfaction
J.D. Power did not include Shelter’s homeowners insurance product line in its 2023 home insurance study or 2024 U.S. Property Claims Satisfaction Study. However, the company’s low level of NAIC complaints regarding its homeowners policies could mean that customer satisfaction is high.
Shelter home insurance customer complaints
Shelter has had a solid NAIC score for the past three years, which suggests that the level of service during customer interactions is consistently good.
Shelter home insurance discounts
Shelter advertises a few home insurance discounts to help you save on your premium. Shelter’s homeowners insurance discounts include:
- Companion policy discount: You could earn a discount if you carry a Shelter auto insurance policy alongside your homeowners or renters policy.
- Claim-free discount: Policyholders who go six consecutive years without a home insurance claim may be eligible for a discount on all subsequent policy renewals.
- Heating system discount: If you heat your home with a system that doesn’t use solid fuel (wood or coal, for instance), you could get a discount.
- New home discount: If your home is under construction, Shelter may give you a discount of up to 40 percent for one year. You could get additional savings if you complete construction and occupy your home in the following year.
- Protective devices credit: You might save on your premiums if you install a smoke alarm, burglary alarm and deadbolts on your doors and windows.
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Get personalized home insurance quotes
Answering a few quick questions to check your availability with Shelter
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Shelter life insurance review
Shelter life insurance offers term life and permanent life insurance, as well as low-cost life insurance for children. The company provides three different options for term life insurance coverage depending on your age and insurance needs, and its permanent life insurance options include three types of whole life insurance and one type of universal life insurance. The company also offers several endorsements that could help you personalize your policy. If you’re looking for a life insurance provider with several policy options and life insurance for children, you may want to consider a quote from Shelter.
Pros and cons of Shelter life insurance
Here are some things you may want to consider when requesting a life insurance quote with Shelter:
Pros
- Several types of life insurance available
- Numerous riders offered
- Term life available without a medical exam
- May qualify the auto policy for a companion discount
Cons
- Lacks nationwide availability
- Customer service is not available 24/7
- No online quotes
Shelter life insurance riders
Policyholders have the option to add Shelter life insurance riders to their policies for personalized financial protection. While these riders may add to the cost of your life insurance, their benefits could outweigh the additional cost.
- Waiver of premium rider: If you’re disabled for more than 180 consecutive days, your life insurance premium would be for the duration of the disability.
- Accidental death benefit rider: If an accident causes a policyholder to pass away, the death benefit may be increased.
- Guaranteed insurability rider: Allows policyholders to purchase additional coverage at certain times without undergoing a medical exam to prove good health.
- Paid-up additional insurance rider: Allows the insured to purchase additional life insurance coverage while their premium is still being paid, as long as they prove they’re in good health.
Compare life insurance providers quickly and easily
See which provider is right for you.
Whole life insurance combines life insurance with an investment component.
- Coverage for life
- Tax-deferred savings benefit if premiums are paid
- 3 variations of permanent insurance: whole life, universal life and variable life include investment component
Term life insurance is precisely what the name implies: an insurance policy that is good for a specific term of time.
- Fixed premium over term
- No savings benefits
- Outliving policy or policy cancellation results in no money back
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
Compare Shelter with other insurers
After considering points from our Shelter Insurance review, you may still be uncertain if this company is the right choice for you. To round out your insurance shopping experience, this list of car insurance providers may also be worth exploring in your research:
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Featured
Shelter
3.7
Bankrate scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience, in addition to average quoted rates. A secondary assessment of each provider's online and mobile resources and policy management options also contributed to overall ratings
Cost & ratings 3.2Coverage 4.2Support 4.2 |
Electric
Not scored
Bankrate scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience, in addition to average quoted rates. A secondary assessment of each provider's online and mobile resources and policy management options also contributed to overall ratings
|
Encompass
3.6
Bankrate scores primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience, in addition to average quoted rates. A secondary assessment of each provider's online and mobile resources and policy management options also contributed to overall ratings
Cost & ratings 3.5Coverage 3.9Support 3.5 |
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OVERVIEW
Bankrate identified key carrier features, coverage offerings, discounts and more
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Policyholders who value top-notch customer service might consider Shelter as their company of choice — as long as they live in a state where Shelter does business. Policyholders needing additional insurance products may appreciate Shelter’s extensive insurance lineup, which includes umbrella, farm and business insurance.
Read More
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If Shelter Insurance’s limited availability is an issue, you may want to check out Electric Insurance, which writes policies in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Electric’s auto insurance coverage options are robust, and like Shelter, it also offers homeowners insurance.
Read More
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Owned by Allstate, Encompass offers a staggering number of discounts. If you’re looking for ways to lower your premium, this could be a good company for you. Encompass also operates in 40 states and offers accident forgiveness, a perk that Shelter lacks.
Read More
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STANDOUT FEATURES
These features are some of the carrier’s most impressive
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High customer satisfaction
Many insurance products
Generous discounts
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Sold to Plymouth Rock in 2024
Three home insurance packages
Auto claims services
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Bundling policy
Accident forgiveness available
Multiple discounts
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AVG FULL COV. AUTO RATE
Average national annual cost of a full coverage auto insurance policy
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$2,177 |
$2,917 | $2,756 |
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J.D. POWER AUTO SCORE
J.D. Power’s Auto Claims Satisfaction Study assesses customer satisfaction with the claims experience on a 1,000-point scale
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| Not Scored | Not Scored | Not Scored |
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AVG HOME RATE
Average national annual cost of a home insurance policy with $300K in dwelling coverage
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| $3,328 | No rates available |
$2,653 |
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J.D. POWER HOME SCORE
J.D. Power’s Property Claims Satisfaction Study assesses customer satisfaction with the claims experience on a 1,000-point scale
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| Not Scored | Not Scored | Not Scored |
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AM BEST RATING
AM Best ratings assess companies’ financial strength based on historical ability to pay out claims, among other financial obligations
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| A(Excellent) | Not Scored |
A+(Superior) |
Why you can trust Bankrate
Read our full methodologyOur insurance editorial team includes licensed agents with decades of combined experience, and we used our intimate knowledge of the industry to conduct this in-depth Shelter insurance review.
46
years of industry expertise
122
carriers reviewed
34.5K
ZIP codes examined
1.2M
quotes analyzed
Is Shelter a good insurance company?
While Shelter’s regional availability is limited and its rates may be above average for some customers, Shelter stands out from competitors for its positive customer experience indicators and its highly customizable coverage. Shelter policyholders seem to be generally happy with their experience based on customer satisfaction rankings, and the company offers a generous list of discounts that could offset higher rates for some people.
Bankrate’s insurance editorial team, which includes licensed agents with combined decades of industry experience, dedicates significant resources each year to conducting comprehensive reviews of insurance carriers to help guide our readers in choosing the best company to fit their personalized needs. Based on our Shelter Insurance review, Shelter could be a good insurance company for those living in its service area, depending on each shopper’s needs and priorities.
What are real-life customers saying about Shelter?
To get more nuanced insight into how actual Shelter policyholders would rate their provider, we examined forum responses, online reviews and social media posts by Shelter customers. Looking at posts on Reddit and TrustPilot, we saw mostly positive responses, with policyholders praising their low rates and reporting great experiences with Shelter’s customer service. The most common complaint we found about Shelter Insurance related to sudden rate increases with no clear reason.
Reddit users discussed Shelter Insurance in a variety of forums, from regional forums to car-focused forums. In both places, we found a mix of positive and negative comments about Shelter’s coverage and rates.
TrustPilot
Some Shelter policyholders reviewed their experience on TrustPilot, calling out strengths and weaknesses of the company. While negative reviews focused primarily on difficult claims or unresponsive customer service, other reviews praised the personal attention offered by Shelter’s customer service agents.
*The quotes and citations included on this page have been verified by our editorial team and are accurate as of the posting date. Outlinked content may contain views and opinions that do not reflect the views and opinions of Bankrate.
Shelter company details
Shelter offers policyholders several ways to contact customer service, starting with dedicated phone lines for general service, claims and roadside assistance. While claims service is 24/7, policy service is only available Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. CST. You can also contact Shelter via email or set up a My Shelter account online.
- Customer service: 1-800-743-5837 or 1-800-SHELTER
- Claims: 1-800-743-5837
- Roadside assistance: 1-855-817-6510
- Website: shelterinsurance.com
- Mailing address: 1817 W. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65218
State availability
Shelter Insurance offers products in 15 states: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
Shelter tools and benefits
When comparing quotes from different insurance companies, it can be helpful to look at a company’s perks to see if it stands out from the crowd. In Shelter’s case, it offers a wide range of coverage types and features, including:
- Umbrella insurance: An umbrella policy can offer formidable liability protection above and beyond what you carry on your home and auto policies.
- Farm insurance: Shelter offers policies that can protect your farm property, livestock, farm equipment and more through its suite of farm insurance.
- Flood insurance: Shelter Insurance offers flood insurance written through the National Flood Insurance Program and Wright National Flood Insurance Services.
- Mobile app: Not all regional carriers offer a mobile app, but Shelter does. With it, you can access your ID cards, view your agent’s contact information, schedule a payment and see your policy details.
- Business insurance: From small business and general liability to commercial fire insurance, Shelter Insurance has additional policies and online tools that cover a large range of business insurance needs.
- Life calculator: Shelter Insurance features a life calculator tool to help customers understand the correct life insurance type and coverage limit they may need.
- Shelter Insurance Gardens: Policyholders in the Columbia, Missouri, area may want to visit the Shelter Insurance Gardens located at the company’s corporate headquarters. Among the garden’s many features, you will find more than 300 types of trees, a waterfall, a Vietnam veterans’ memorial, a garden for the blind and more.
Frequently asked questions about Shelter
Methodology
Auto
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze November 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates for our base profile are based on the following characteristics and coverage levels:
Bodily injury liability
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Property damage liability
$50,000 per accidentPersonal injury protection
$100,000 per accidentUninsured motorist bodily injury
$100,000 per person$300,000 per accident
Collision deductible
$500Comprehensive deductible
$500Other profiles
These are sample rates and should only be used for comparative purposes.
Bankrate Scores
Our 2024 Bankrate Score considers variables our insurance editorial team determined impacts policyholders’ experiences with an insurance company. These rating factors include a robust assessment of each company’s product availability, financial strength ratings, online capabilities and customer and claims support accessibility. Each factor was added to a category, and these categories were weighted in a tiered approach to analyze how companies perform in key customer-impacting categories.
Each category was assigned a metric to determine performance, and the weighted sum adds up to a company’s total Bankrate Score — out of 5 points. Our scoring model provides a comprehensive view, indicating when companies excel across several key areas and highlighting where they fall short.
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Cost & ratings 50%
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Coverage & savings 30%
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Support 20%
- Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
- Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
- Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways an auto insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.
What policyholders are saying about Shelter
Shelter has 25 reviews
Dive into community reviews below and see what others think about Shelter.
To help serve you with relevant information, the customer reviews shown are limited to only those that this advertiser has received during the past 12 months.
recommend this insurer
In May 2024, Bankrate collaborated with market research firm SliceMR to survey over 1,500 insurance customers nationwide, asking policyholders to rate their insurer’s cost, coverage, customer support and overall experience on a five-point scale. Bankrate and SliceMR collected and analyzed these customer ratings, along with website analytics and responses to three open-ended questions regarding customer experience. Responses are based on individual policyholders’ policy details and personal experience, and therefore cannot be verified for accuracy. Users received an incentive for their feedback. All ratings are unedited and have not been reviewed or approved by insurance carriers. User-generated ratings are separate from carrier Bankrate Scores — which are calculated based on our proprietary methodology — and may not match.
Community Reviews
