Shelter Car Insurance Review for 2025 [Honest Report]

Our Shelter car insurance review found it stands out for its various coverage options. However, Shelter car insurance rates are higher than some competitors, starting at $80/month. Despite this, Shelter auto insurance coverage options and strong financial stability may outweigh the cost for some customers.

UPDATED: Jan 2, 2025Fact Checked

Tonya Sisler

Insurance Content Team Lead

Tonya Sisler has been a technical insurance writer for over five years. She uses her extensive insurance and finance knowledge to write informative articles that answer readers' top questions. Her mission is to provide readers with timely, accurate information that allows them to determine their insurance needs and choose the best coverage. Tonya currently leads a team of 10 insurance copywrite...

Insurance Content Team Lead

Schimri Yoyo

Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor

Schimri Yoyo is a financial advisor with active insurance licenses in seven states and over 20 years of professional experience. During his career, he has held roles at Foresters Financial, Strayer University, Minnesota Life, Securian Financial Services, Delaware Valley Advisors, Bridgemark Wealth Management, and Fidelity.  Schimri is an educator eager to assist individuals and families in ach...

Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor

UPDATED: Jan 2, 2025

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UPDATED: Jan 2, 2025Fact Checked
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Shelter

Average Monthly Rate For Good Drivers

$80

A.M. Best Rating:

A

Complaint Level:

Low

Pros

  • Multiple coverage options for cars
  • Strong A.M. Best rating
  • Multi-policy and multi-car discounts

Cons

  • Higher car insurance rates
  • Mixed customer feedback

This Shelter car insurance review found the company’s key benefits include a wide variety of coverage options like custom equipment coverage and attractive discounts, such as those for bundling multiple policies.

Shelter Car Insurance Review

However, Shelter’s rates are higher than those of some competitors, especially for drivers with poor records. While the company offers financial stability and good customer service ratings, it may not be the best choice for cheap car insurance.

Shelter Car Insurance Rating

Rating CriteriaShelter: Shelter Car Insurance Review
Overall Score3.8
Business Reviews3.0
Claim Processing3.5
Company Reputation4.0
Coverage Availability4.1
Coverage Value3.4
Customer Satisfaction4.2
Digital Experience4.0
Discounts Available5.0
Insurance Cost4.0
Plan Personalization4.0
Policy Options3.1
Savings Potential4.3

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Shelter is best suited for drivers seeking a broad range of coverage options and those who can take advantage of its discounts. It’s important to compare multiple insurance quotes to ensure you get the best deal for your needs.

Here's What You Need to Know

  • Shelter car insurance rates start at $80/month for minimum coverage
  • Customers can save by bundling insurance policies at Shelter Insurance
  • Customers have mixed feedback regarding Shelter agent customer service

Shelter Car Insurance Rates

Most people are looking for an affordable auto insurance company, so checking Shelter’s average car insurance rates is one of the most important parts of evaluating the company. Many factors affect what you pay for car insurance, but your age is a big factor, so let’s start by looking at Shelter rates by age and gender.

Shelter Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Age, Gender & Coverage Level

Age & GenderMinimum CoverageFull Coverage
Age: 16 Female$212$340
Age: 16 Male$235$368
Age: 18 Female$198$325
Age: 18 Male$222$352
Age: 25 Female$134$238
Age: 25 Male$147$249
Age: 30 Female$108$198
Age: 30 Male$120$210
Age: 45 Female$87$164
Age: 45 Male$92$171
Age: 60 Female$76$152
Age: 60 Male$83$160
Age: 65 Female$80$148
Age: 65 Male$85$155

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The amount of coverage you get will affect your rates as well. While it may be tempting for young drivers to go with minimum coverage because it is so much cheaper, it doesn’t offer much protection.

Full Coverage Car Insurance Definition Card: Shelter Car Insurance Review

Instead, teens can join their parents’ policy at Shelter for cheaper rates than the ones we showed above for teens purchasing their own policy (Read More: How long can you stay on your parent’s car insurance?). Another factor that will affect rates for both teens and adults is a driver’s record.

Most car insurance companies count DUIs as the worst offense that can be on a driver’s record, which is why they increase rates the most for a DUI driver.

Shelter Insurance will increase your auto insurance rates if you're convicted of a DUI, reflecting the higher risk you pose as a driver. However, Shelter does offer options to help manage your coverage, such as SR-22 filings, to comply with state requirements after a DUI conviction.

Kristen Gryglik Licensed Insurance Agent

After DUIs, at-fault accidents are the next most expensive mistake on a record, followed by a traffic ticket. You can expect higher rates for at least a few years if you have a poor driving record.

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Shelter Car Insurance Rates vs. the Competition

Let’s look deeper into Shelter’s car insurance rates by comparing them to other popular companies’ prices, starting again with rates by age and gender.

Shelter Car Insurance Monthly Rates Compared to Top Providers by Age & Gender

Insurance CompanyAge: 16 FemaleAge: 16 MaleAge: 25 FemaleAge: 25 MaleAge: 35 FemaleAge: 35 MaleAge: 60 FemaleAge: 60 Male
Allstate TablePress Logo$290$320$185$205$145$155$115$125
Farmers TablePress Logo$285$315$182$202$142$152$112$122
Geico TablePress Logo$260$290$170$190$130$140$100$110
Liberty Mutual TablePress Logo$300$330$190$210$150$160$120$130
Nationwide TablePress Logo$265$295$172$192$132$142$102$112
Progressive TablePress Logo$275$305$175$195$135$145$105$115
$280$310$180$200$140$150$110$120
State Farm TablePress Logo$270$300$175$195$135$145$105$115
Travelers TablePress Logo$280$310$180$200$140$150$110$120
USAA TablePress Logo$250$270$160$180$120$130$90$100

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Shelter is not the most expensive company compared to competitors, which is great. However, when you compare Shelter to a few other companies, such as Shelter Insurance vs. State Farm or Geico, they are cheaper on average than Shelter (Read More: Geico Car Insurance Review). Shelter also isn’t the cheapest for drivers with poor driving records.

Shelter Car Insurance Monthly Rates Compared to Top Providers by Driving Record

Insurance CompanyClean RecordOne TicketOne AccidentOne DUI
Allstate TablePress Logo$145$170$195$260
Farmers TablePress Logo$142$167$192$255
Geico TablePress Logo$130$155$180$230
Liberty Mutual TablePress Logo$150$175$200$270
Nationwide TablePress Logo$132$157$182$235
Progressive TablePress Logo$135$160$185$240
$140$165$190$250
State Farm TablePress Logo$135$160$185$240
Travelers TablePress Logo$140$165$190$250
USAA TablePress Logo$120$145$170$220

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If you are looking for the cheapest possible rates, Shelter may not be for you. However, there are several other factors to consider besides price, like coverage options and customer reviews, as the cheapest doesn’t always equal the best.

Car Insurance Coverage Options at Shelter

Shelter Insurance Company sells quite a few different types of car coverage, from the basics like liability insurance to extras like custom equipment coverage.

Car Insurance Coverages Offered by Shelter Insurance

Coverage TypeOffered by Shelter InsuranceDetails
Liability CoverageYesCovers others' bodily injury and property damage
Collision CoverageYesPays for damages to your vehicle after a collision
Comprehensive CoverageYesCovers damages to your car from theft, vandalism, etc.
Uninsured/Underinsured MotoristYesProtects you if the at-fault driver lacks insurance
Roadside AssistanceYesIncludes towing, flat tire changes, jump-starts, and more
Rental ReimbursementYesCovers the cost of a rental car after a covered loss
Medical Payments (MedPay)YesHelps pay medical bills for you and your passengers
Personal Injury Protection (PIP)YesCovers medical expenses and lost wages
Rideshare CoverageNoCovers rideshare drivers
Custom Equipment CoverageYesProtects aftermarket or custom modifications
Gap InsuranceNoCover gap between a loan and car's value

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Shelter has a great variety for customers looking for less common coverages. However, Shelter does not offer rideshare insurance, so Uber and Lyft drivers must shop elsewhere (Learn More: Compare Rideshare Car Insurance: Rates, Discounts, & Requirements).

Shelter Car Insurance Discounts

If you want to work to lower your Shelter auto insurance rates, one of the things you can do is apply for the discounts that Shelter offers.

Shelter Car Insurance Discounts and Savings Percentages

Discount NameSavings Potential
Multi-Policy Discount25%
Safe Driver Discount20%
Good Student Discount15%
Multi-Vehicle Discount10%
Anti-Theft Device Discount10%
Paperless Billing Discount5%
Pay-in-Full Discount8%
Defensive Driving Discount10%
Loyalty Discount5%
New Vehicle Discount5%

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Multiple policy car insurance discounts will be the biggest saver at Shelter Insurance Company, and you can qualify by purchasing another type of insurance from Shelter, such as home insurance. Families can also save by insuring multiple cars on one policy.

The more discounts you qualify for, the better your Shelter insurance rates will be. Even small discounts like a paperless discount will contribute to lower rates.

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Customer Reviews of Shelter

Customer reviews of Shelter are mixed, with some customers posting glowing reviews of the agents they worked with for quotes and claims and other customers posting negative feedback about agent responsiveness, like the Yelp review below.

How do customer satisfaction ratings affect car insurance companies? Mixed reviews of companies are common and don’t necessarily mean a company is awful. In addition to looking at Shelter Insurance Google reviews and Yelp reviews, it is also important to look at the business ratings of a company to get a full picture of complaints, customer satisfaction, and more.

Business Reviews of Shelter

Several businesses have rated Shelter Mutual Insurance Company, from BBB to J.D. Power. Take a look at how Shelter Insurance ranks below.

Shelter Car Insurance Business Ratings & Consumer Reviews

AgencyShelter: Shelter Car Insurance Review
J.D. Power: Shelter Car Insurance ReviewScore: 850 / 1,000
Above Avg. Satisfaction
BBB: Shelter Car Insurance ReviewScore: A
Excellent Business Practices
Consumer Reports: Shelter Car Insurance ReviewScore: 75/100
Good Customer Feedback
NAIC: Shelter Car Insurance ReviewScore: 0.85
Fewer Complaints
A.M. Best: Shelter Car Insurance ReviewScore: A
Excellent Financial Strength

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Several ratings indicate good customer service, such as J.D. Power’s above-average Shelter insurance rating and the lower NAIC complaint score (Read More: Car Insurance Companies With the Worst Customer Satisfaction).

J.D. Power bases its car insurance ratings on surveys of thousands of customers, rating customer service, claims handling, and other essential business practices.

Brandon Frady Licensed Insurance Producer

Shelter also has a good financial standing, according to the Shelter Insurance AM Best rating, and good business practices based on Shelter insurance reviews from BBB.

Shelter Car Insurance Pros and Cons

Now that we’ve covered the most important aspects of Shelter Insurance Company, let’s take a minute to recap the company’s pros and cons. Some great aspects of Shelter are:

  • Variety of Coverages: Shelter has less-commonly offered extras like custom equipment coverage, which is some of the best car insurance for modified cars.
  • Discount Variety: Shelter customers can apply for several different types of discounts on their auto insurance policies.
  • Financial Strength Rating: Shelter is a financially stable company, according to its A.M. Best rating.

While these are some great perks, the downsides that Shelter Insurance customers may experience include the following:

  • Higher Rates: Shelter is not the cheapest car insurance company available on the market, although rates aren’t astronomically high.
  • Some Negative Customer Feedback: While Shelter has decent ratings from businesses, some negative reviews are left on sites like Reddit and Yelp.

Fully consider the pros and cons of Shelter before committing, as a company that is right for one customer may be a poor choice for another customer.

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Deciding if Shelter Car Insurance is Best for You

Our Shelter car insurance review found that one major pro is its wide variety of coverage options, including custom equipment coverage. Shelter also stands out with an A.M. Best A rating, indicating strong financial stability.

Shelter Insurance Homepage: Shelter Car Insurance Review

However, one major con is its higher-than-average rates, particularly for drivers with poor records, so it may not be the best choice financially for certain drivers (Read More: Best Car Insurance for a Bad Driving Record).

If Shelter isn’t the right choice for you, there are plenty of other car insurance companies to choose from. To ensure you’re getting the best deal, be sure to compare quotes from multiple insurance companies before making your final decision.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Shelter car insurance a good company?

Shelter is not the best-rated company on the market, but it is still a solid choice for some customers.

Has there been a Shelter insurance lawsuit?

Yes, there have been a few lawsuits against Shelter for claim denials and other actions.

Is Shelter insurance expensive?

Is Shelter insurance more expensive than other providers? Yes, Shelter insurance is more expensive, with rates starting at $80/month. (Read More: ). If you’re wondering why is my car insurance so expensive, find cheaper auto insurance in your area with our free tool.

Where does Shelter Insurance rank?

We gave Shelter a 3.8 rating out of 5 based on multiple factors like price and customer service.

Who owns the Shelter Insurance company?

Shelter is a mutual insurance company, meaning that policyholders own the company.

Does Shelter car insurance have a grace period?

Yes, Shelter offers a grace period on car insurance for late payments (Learn More: What happens after a late car insurance payment?).

Is Shelter Insurance a standard insurance company?

Yes, Shelter is a standard car insurance company.

How old is Shelter insurance?

The Shelter Insurance Company was founded in 1946.

How many agents does Shelter Insurance have?

Shelter has around 1,400 agents, so you should have a few agents to choose from (Read More: How to Change Car Insurance Agents).

What is Shelter Insurance Companies A.M. Best rating?

Shelter has an A rating from A.M. Best.

Is Shelter a captive agency?

Yes, Shelter is a captive agency, meaning agents exclusively sell Shelter insurance.

Do Shelter insurance agents set rates?

No, auto insurance agents at Shelter do not set rates; the company does (Learn More: Factors That Affect Car Insurance Rates).

How much does Shelter Insurance pay?

If you are asking about Shelter employment, the pay varies based on the job and location.

Tonya Sisler

Insurance Content Team Lead

Tonya Sisler has been a technical insurance writer for over five years. She uses her extensive insurance and finance knowledge to write informative articles that answer readers' top questions. Her mission is to provide readers with timely, accurate information that allows them to determine their insurance needs and choose the best coverage. Tonya currently leads a team of 10 insurance copywrite...

Insurance Content Team Lead

Schimri Yoyo

Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor

Schimri Yoyo is a financial advisor with active insurance licenses in seven states and over 20 years of professional experience. During his career, he has held roles at Foresters Financial, Strayer University, Minnesota Life, Securian Financial Services, Delaware Valley Advisors, Bridgemark Wealth Management, and Fidelity.  Schimri is an educator eager to assist individuals and families in ach...

Licensed Agent & Financial Advisor

Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.

Reviews
for Shelter Mutual Insurance Company

4.16 (421 reviews)
1
July 20, 2022

FranklinGirl

Stay far away!

I filed a claim for a parking lot accident after a lady backed out and hit me. I spoke with the claims adjuster [REDACTED NAME], and he took a statement and told me he would reach out to the other insurance agency. I was logged into my account and noticed he had closed my claim without communicating with me. I contacted him and he told me to contact the other insurance agency. Really??? I pay nearly $10,000 a year (20 years) for insurance for a h...
I filed a claim for a parking lot accident after a lady backed out and hit me. I spoke with the claims adjuster [REDACTED NAME], and he took a statement and told me he would reach out to the other insurance agency. I was logged into my account and noticed he had closed my claim without communicating with me. I contacted him and he told me to contact the other insurance agency. Really??? I pay nearly $10,000 a year (20 years) for insurance for a house and 5 cars for him to do his job. Unbelievable..I'm in the process of finding a company that values my business and serves their clients. Shelter has really gone down the [REDACTED] . They were a premier company, but not anymore.
1
October 21, 2021

BenjaminHM

Non communicative experience.

I have never been more uncomfortable speaking with personnel in my life. The representatives from Shelter refused to work around my schedule for phone calls, constantly interrupted me, and even called me out for "harassing" the other driver for asking for their insurance info. I had to wait several months for their investigation to finish(note that the other driver was undeniably at fault in the accident.)When all was said and done they refused t...
I have never been more uncomfortable speaking with personnel in my life. The representatives from Shelter refused to work around my schedule for phone calls, constantly interrupted me, and even called me out for "harassing" the other driver for asking for their insurance info. I had to wait several months for their investigation to finish(note that the other driver was undeniably at fault in the accident.)When all was said and done they refused to pay for damage to my hubcap(later I had to pay for the resulting flat tire), didn't respond to my requests, and in general just treated me horribly.
4
October 17, 2020

DaRiD

Problem with Claims Communications

I recently had an accident and getting information from the company regarding the status of my claim was extremely difficult. Overall, my dealings with the agent are pleasant, but receiving updates from the claims department was a nightmare.
5
July 31, 2020

Atm

Great!

It was wonderful. Every time my insurance was supposed to go up it would go down in price. For example when I got an MIP when I was 19 my insurance went down $20.
5
July 19, 2020

Leo_Kim

The product and sevice is good!

The policy provided is very easy to understand. The agent was very nice to explain everything to me and helped customize my auto insurance.
1
July 9, 2020

Broncos1858

Horrible experience

Horrible. My brand new 2020 truck got damaged last night! The insurance agent was rude! I can't even take my truck to get fixed until the adjuster calls me so I am stuck driving around a damaged truck which was no fault of my own!!!
5
May 1, 2020

lesley

Trusted with good rates

The company covered my two fender benders and was a reasonable rate. The insurance agent was wonderful. He was a cornerstone of the community and trusted. I had my apartment and car insurance through the company. I was ran into and two different occasions and it did not raise my rates. I only canceled after I moved to a different state and got married.
5
February 23, 2020

Cricky73

A great company to do business with and offer discounts

I have not had to make a claim (fortunately) however, any time we've had a question they were available to answer and we're kind in doing so. Even better, their prices are lower than anyone else we could find. They also offer discounts such as safe driver.
5
February 13, 2020

kolsen

Shelter Insurance, A Great Company

Shelter has always been good to me and I've never had any issues. They offer far lower prices than I could find at competitors with the same coverage.
5
January 30, 2020

beanmom

Probably the Best

I had to file two claims in less than a year, and one I could have been hassled over, but Shelter took care of it no questions asked. Super friendly, and personable company. I have been with them for 5 years and have always been impressed, and I am a supercritical person when it comes to businesses such as this.
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Shelter Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record
Shelter Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Driving Record