Shelter Insurance review 2024
Edited by
Edited by
-
At Bankrate, we strive to help you make smarter financial decisions. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of . Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our .
At a glance
Score breakdown
Auto
3.7
Cost & ratings
3.7
Coverage
4.0
Support
3.8
Home
3.0
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.
Who Shelter Insurance may be good for: Shelter Insurance may be a good option for policyholders looking for a financially strong insurance company that offers more than basic coverage. Policyholders needing additional insurance products may appreciate Shelter’s extensive insurance lineup, which includes umbrella, farm and business insurance products.
Who Shelter Insurance may not be good for: With limited state availability, Shelter Insurance is not a good option for policyholders who live outside its insurance market. Additionally, those looking for low-cost home insurance may be able to find better deals elsewhere.
Shelter car insurance
Shelter earned a Bankrate Score of 3.8 for auto insurance, which is a bit lower than some top companies due to its limited availability and limited third-party ratings. Still, our Shelter Insurance review shows that it could be a solid choice for drivers who value customer service. Shelter ranked first for customer satisfaction in the Central region, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Insurance Study and recorded a low number of customer complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for private passenger auto insurance.
Shelter car insurance is unique in that roadside assistance and new car replacement are included in every policy. Meanwhile, coverage types like collision and comprehensive, rental reimbursement, disability income, gap insurance and loss of use are optional.
Shelter provides both home insurance quotes and car insurance quotes online and through a network of local agents. It offers a wide range of discounts to help policyholders save money, too.
Pros and cons of Shelter car insurance
It’s important to look at the big picture when shopping for the best car insurance. If you’re considering Shelter car insurance but are unsure of how it stacks up, consider these pros and cons.
-
Robust coverage options
-
Complimentary roadside assistance
-
High customer satisfaction
-
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 $2,136. Its rate for a minimum coverage policy is $608 per year, on average. Nationally, the average annual cost of car insurance for full and minimum coverage is $2,542 and $740, respectively.
Shelter car insurance rates by driving history
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. 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.
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 these rates have been omitted. You may want to contact a local agent for more information regarding DUI premiums.
| Shelter full coverage premium | National full coverage premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Clean driving history | $2,136 | $2,542 |
| Speeding ticket conviction | $2,334 | $3,069 |
| At-fault accident | $3,238 | $3,577 |
| DUI conviction | $3,037 | $4,790 |
*All rates displayed are average annual rates.
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.
Average cost of car insurance for drivers on their parents' policy
| Shelter full coverage premium | National full coverage premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Age 16 | $6,513 | $5,421 |
| Age 17 | $3,174 | $5,069 |
| Age 18 | $3,031 | $4,759 |
| Age 19 | $2,892 | $4,176 |
| Age 20 | $2,693 | $3,947 |
*All rates displayed are average annual rates.
Average cost of car insurance for drivers on their own policy
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:
Shelter home insurance
Shelter home insurance may be a good choice for homeowners looking for standard coverage types such as dwelling coverage, coverage for other structures, personal property and personal liability. Like many of the best homeowners insurance companies, Shelter also offers optional add-ons, like sewer back-up, coverage for docks and piers, increased computer protection, farm insurance and earthquake damage.
Our team calculated a Bankrate Score of 3.5 out of 5.0 possible points for Shelter’s home insurance. Shelter fell short in its lack of nationwide availability and high average premiums, as well as the fact it was not included in the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Home Insurance Study. However, this score also reflects Shelter’s high AM Best score for financial strength and wide range of home insurance coverage options.
Pros and cons of Shelter homeowners insurance
These pros and cons could help you better understand what you may expect from a Shelter homeowners policy when comparing quotes with other companies:
-
Ample endorsement options
-
Discounts are available that may help you save
-
A (Excellent) financial strength per AM Best
-
Not available in every state
-
Customer service only available during business hours
-
High average rates compared to the national average
Shelter home insurance cost
The national average cost for homeowners insurance in 2024 is $1,687 per year. However, the average cost of Shelter home insurance is $2,941. Note that your premium will vary based on your individual rating factors, such as your location, claims history and credit (depending on the laws in the state where you live). But if you’re looking for the cheapest homeowners insurance company, you might want to get quotes from other insurers.
| Dwelling coverage limit | Shelter average annual premium | National average premium |
|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $1,959 | $1,146 |
| $250,000 | $2,941 | $1,687 |
| $350,000 | $3,826 | $2,232 |
| $450,000 | $4,801 | $2,785 |
| $750,000 | $7,470 | $4,457 |
*All rates displayed are average annual rates.
Shelter home insurance discounts
Shelter advertises a few home insurance discounts to help you save on your premium. Shelter’s homeowners insurance discounts include:
Shelter life insurance
Shelter life insurance offers term life and permanent life insurance, as well as low-cost life insurance for children. The company’s permanent life insurance options include several 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:
-
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
-
Lacks nationwide availability
-
Customer service is not available 24/7
-
No online quotes
Shelter life insurance endorsements
Policyholders have the option to add Shelter life insurance endorsements to their policies for personalized financial protection. While these riders may not provide you with the cheapest life insurance policy, their benefits could outweigh the additional cost.
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 HomeInsurance.com (NPN: 8781838)
This advertising widget is powered by HomeInsurance.com, a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 8781838) and a corporate affiliate of Bankrate. HomeInsurance.com LLC services are only available in states where it is licensed and insurance coverage through HomeInsurance.com may not be available in all states. 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:
|
Featured
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
Overview
|
Overview
|
Overview
|
Overview
|
|
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.
|
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.
|
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.
|
If you are an HVAC technician, photographer, landscaper or another type of artisan contractor, First Chicago Insurance could be a good choice because of the specialized coverage this company offers. It also boasts 10 discounts that you could earn on your personal auto policy.
|
|
Avg. full coverage auto rate
|
Avg. full coverage auto rate
|
Avg. full coverage auto rate
|
Avg. full coverage auto rate
|
|
$2,136
|
$2,417
|
$2,095
|
No rates available
|
|
Avg. home rate for $250k dwelling coverage
|
Avg. home rate for $250k dwelling coverage
|
Avg. home rate for $250k dwelling coverage
|
Avg. home rate for $250k dwelling coverage
|
|
$2,941
|
No rates available
|
$2,065
|
No rates available
|
|
J.D. Power Digital Experience Study - Service
|
J.D. Power Digital Experience Study - Service
|
J.D. Power Digital Experience Study - Service
|
J.D. Power Digital Experience Study - Service
|
|
Not rated
|
Not rated
|
Not rated
|
Not rated
|
|
J.D. Power Digital Experience Study - Shopping
|
J.D. Power Digital Experience Study - Shopping
|
J.D. Power Digital Experience Study - Shopping
|
J.D. Power Digital Experience Study - Shopping
|
|
Not rated
|
Not rated
|
Not rated
|
Not rated
|
|
AM Best rating
|
AM Best rating
|
AM Best rating
|
AM Best rating
|
|
A (Excellent)
|
A (Excellent)
|
A+ (Superior)
|
B (Fair)
|
Is Shelter a good insurance company?
Our insurance editorial team, which includes licensed agents with industry experience, works to ensure that the information we provide is accurate, honest and helpful. We dedicate significant resources each year to conducting comprehensive insurance company reviews to help guide our readers in choosing the best carrier to fit their personalized needs.
With that in mind, Shelter could be a good insurance company, depending on your priorities. According to third-party scores, Shelter policyholders are generally happy with its service. Its policies are also highly customizable because of its robust coverage and rider options. However, you may pay a little more than average for home insurance, and depending on where you live, Shelter may not be available. You can contact an agent to request a quote to find out if Shelter Insurance best fits your individual needs.
Shelter customer satisfaction
Affordable rates are important when looking for the best insurance company, but it 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 2023 U.S. Insurance Digital Experience Study.
| Study or Rating Agency | Shelter | Industry average |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 J.D. Power Digital Experience Study - Service | Not rated | 702/1,000 |
| 2023 J.D. Power Digital Experience Study - Shopping | Not rated | 521/1,000 |
| AM Best rating | A | N/A |
Shelter home insurance claims satisfaction
Although J.D. Power did not include Shelter’s property insurance product line in its 2022 or 2023 homeowner insurance studies, the company’s low level of NAIC complaints regarding its homeowners policies could mean that customer satisfaction is high.
Although J.D. Power did not include Shelter’s property insurance product line in its 2023 homeowners insurance study, the company’s low level of NAIC complaints regarding its homeowners policies could mean that customer satisfaction is high.
Shelter customer complaints
Researching customer complaints is another way to find insurance companies that are more likely to offer quality customer service. Regarding customer complaints, Shelter scores well on the NAIC’s customer complaint index for its private passenger and home product lines. The NAIC complaint baseline is 1.0, so an index below 1.0 means that Shelter receives fewer customer complaints than average.
Regarding customer complaints, Shelter scores well on the NAIC’s customer complaint index for its private passenger product line. The NAIC complaint baseline is 1.00, so an index below that means that Shelter receives fewer customer complaints than average.
Shelter’s low level of NAIC complaints for its homeowners policies could mean that customer satisfaction is high. It has had a solid NAIC score for the past three years, which could mean the level of service during customer interactions is consistently good.
Other 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 (NFIP) and the Wright Flood Insurance company.
- 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
AJ Dellinger is a contributing writer for Bankrate. AJ writes about auto loans and real estate.
