Shelter Auto Insurance Review 2025
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Shelter
Shelter sells a range of insurance products and offers many discounts, but products aren't available in all states.- Fewer complaints than similarly sized companies.
- Many discounts available.
- User-friendly website and mobile app that allow online claims and bill payments.
- Not offered in every state.
- Some discounts may be not be available depending on where you live.
Shelter earned 4.5 stars out of 5 for overall performance. NerdWallet’s ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account consumer experience, complaint data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and financial strength ratings.
Shelter Insurance is a Missouri-based insurance company that offers auto, home and life insurance policies as well as other types of coverage in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
» MORE: Best car insurance companies
Why you can trust NerdWallet: Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our coverage so you can choose the insurance policy that works best for you. These carrier ratings are specific to auto insurance — a company's rating for other products may be different on our site. See our criteria for evaluating auto insurance companies.
- How we review auto insurance companies
In our auto insurance reviews, our editorial team considers both the customer and the insurer. These are some of the factors we take into account:
Financial strength. We use A.M. Best ratings to confirm an insurer’s long-term financial stability and ability to pay claims. NerdWallet does not recommend companies with a rating lower than a B.
Complaints. These ratings are based on complaints to state regulators relative to a company’s size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The best auto insurance companies have fewer than the expected number of complaints.
Ease of use. This category looks at how easily consumers can interact with an insurer through its mobile app and website. This includes how much coverage information is offered online, whether a user can start and track a claim online and get a quote, and mobile app scores based on the Apple and Google Play store ratings.
Discounts. We look at both the kind of discounts a company offers and the total number of discounts available.
Compare to other insurers
NerdWallet rating 4.5/5 |  NerdWallet rating 5.0/5 |  NerdWallet rating 5.0/5 |
Discounts Great set of discounts | Discounts Great set of discounts | Discounts Great set of discounts |
Ease of use Above average | Ease of use Above average | Ease of use Above average |
NAIC complaints Far fewer than expected | NAIC complaints Far fewer than expected | NAIC complaints Fewer than expected |
Bottom line Shelter sells a range of insurance products and offers many discounts, but products aren't available in all states. | Bottom line American Family offers a wide range of coverage, including rideshare and gap insurance, but doesn’t sell policies in all states. | Bottom line Travelers offers a broad range of coverage options and discounts to help you customize your car insurance policy. |
Shelter auto insurance coverage
When you're shopping for car insurance coverage, it's important to understand what car insurance coverage you want and what you’re required to buy. For instance, most states require a minimum amount of car insurance to drive a vehicle. Alternatively, if you want extra protection, you may be interested in full coverage insurance. Read about the most common types of car insurance coverage to see how they work.
Shelter includes certain perks for free if you buy an auto insurance policy, including new car replacement coverage if you own a new vehicle. This coverage pays out if you total a new car you bought within the past year that has less than 15,000 miles on it; Shelter will pay for a new car of the same year, make and model.
Shelter also offers the following coverage for an additional fee:
Disability income coverage. If you're in a car crash and can’t return to work because of your injuries, Shelter will provide a weekly stipend for up to one year. This coverage may not be available in all states.
Accidental death coverage pays out if you or your spouse dies in a car crash. This coverage can be extended to additional family members.
Gap insurance. Shelter will cover the cost difference if your collision coverage doesn’t cover the full amount you owe on your vehicle after it’s totaled.
Loss of use coverage pays a lump sum of money when your car is getting repaired. This is different from rental car reimbursement, which Shelter also provides and pays to cover the cost of a rental car while yours is in the shop.
» MORE: Compare auto insurance rates
Auto insurance discounts
Depending on where you live, you may be able to save money on your Shelter car insurance by:
Not having any accidents or traffic violations for at least three years (safe driver).
Getting good grades if you’re unmarried, have a driver’s license and under age 25.
Paying your premium in full every six or 12 months.
Having a Shelter home or farm owners insurance policy and being at least 48 years old.
Buying a life insurance policy, a property policy or a non-private passenger vehicle policy along with your auto insurance.
Owning a car with factory-installed airbags.
Passing an accident-prevention course.
Having every driver in your household younger than 21 complete an approved driver’s education class.
First time shopping for auto insurance? Unsure where to start? Check out our guide on how to shop for car insurance.
See what you could save on car insurance
Easily compare personalized rates to see how much switching car insurance could save you.Shelter homeowners insurance
Shelter’s home insurance policy offers the typical coverage to protect your home and property, as well as additional coverage such as:
Debris removal. Shelter will cover the cost to remove debris after a covered claim.
Necessary repairs after a loss. This coverage will repay you for repairs to protect your home from additional damage after an event, such as patching a hole to prevent rain or animals from entering your home.
Fire department charge reimbursement. Shelter will reimburse up to $500 of fire department charges if they're called to protect your home.
Trees, shrubs, plants and lawns coverage. This coverage will reimburse you for damage to greenery on your property after a qualifying claim.
Credit card fraud and check forgery coverage. Shelter will pay up to $1,000 if an unauthorized person uses your credit card or forges a check in your name.
You may also want to add the following types of coverage for an additional cost.
Earthquake coverage. This coverage will pay out if your home or belongings are damaged in an earthquake.
Water back-up coverage. Shelter will cover damage caused by a backed-up sewer line or sump pump failure.
Identity theft coverage. If your identity is stolen, this coverage pays for associated costs such as lost wages and legal fees.
Personal injury coverage. Shelter will pay out if someone sues you for slander or libel.
Increased computer coverage. This coverage gives you higher limits for damage to your personal computer.
Inflation protection. With this coverage, Shelter will automatically raise your limits to keep pace with inflation.
Home insurance discounts
You may be able to save on your home insurance by:
Buying more than one insurance product from Shelter (bundling).
Owning a home with smoke alarms, security alarms and deadbolt locks.
Not filing a claim on your policy for six consecutive years.
Owning a new home.
Not burning coal, wood or other solids.
Shelter life insurance coverage
EZ Term Life Insurance: $50,000 of term life insurance is available for most people up to 40 years old. Monthly premiums remain the same throughout the term, and the policy can be converted to permanent life insurance at any time before age 40 without proof of good health.
Level Term Life Insurance is available in 10-, 20- or 30-year terms. Coverage amounts start at $100,000.
Shelter Express Term Life Insurance is available for people between the ages of 18 and 60 who want a term life insurance policy without a physical exam. As long as you can pass Shelter’s health questionnaire, you can receive coverage of up to $100,000.
Junior Special Insurance: $20,000 of coverage is available for a child or grandchild under the age of 17. Coverage ends when the person turns 26 and can be converted to a permanent life policy of up to five times the face value when they turn 25.
Shelter also offers permanent life insurance policies, including whole and universal life.
Complaints
Shelter had far fewer than the expected number of complaints about auto insurance to state regulators relative to its size, according to three years’ worth of data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
More about Shelter insurance
Website: Shelter’s website is easy to navigate, with insurance offerings accessible from the main menu. You can get a quote and find a nearby Shelter agent directly from the homepage.
Mobile app: Shelter’s mobile app can be used to view policy details, pay your bill, request roadside assistance and contact your Shelter agent.
Other insurance from Shelter
Motorcycle insurance.
RV insurance.
ATV insurance.
Boat insurance.
Farm insurance.
Personal articles insurance.
Business insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a quote from Shelter?
How do I get a quote from Shelter?
You can get quotes online or over the phone.
In what states does Shelter sell policies?
In what states does Shelter sell policies?
Shelter products are available in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
How do you file a claim with Shelter?
How do you file a claim with Shelter?
You can file a claim via the Shelter website. If you’re not a customer, or you’re filing a life insurance claim, you can do so by calling a Shelter agent.
Methodology
Insurer complaints methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2021-2023. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
Auto insurance ratings methodology
NerdWallet’s auto insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints and discounts. Our “ease of use” category looks at factors such as website transparency and how easy it is to file a claim. Using our editorial discretion, we also consider customer satisfaction surveys. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our editorial guidelines and full ratings methodology for auto insurance.
Average rates methodology
NerdWallet averaged rates based on public filings obtained by pricing analytics company Quadrant Information Services. We examined rates for men and women for all ZIP codes in any of the 50 states and Washington, D.C. Although it’s one of the largest insurers in the country, Liberty Mutual is not included in our rates analysis due to a lack of publicly available information.
In our analysis, “good drivers” had no moving violations on record; a “good driving” discount was included for this profile. Our “good” and “poor” credit rates are based on credit score approximations and do not account for proprietary scoring criteria used by insurance providers.
These are average rates, and your rate will vary based on your personal details, state and insurance provider.
Sample drivers had the following coverage limits:
$100,000 bodily injury liability coverage per person.
$300,000 bodily injury liability coverage per crash.
$50,000 property damage liability coverage per crash.
$100,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per person.
$300,000 uninsured motorist bodily injury coverage per crash.
Collision coverage with $1,000 deductible.
Comprehensive coverage with $1,000 deductible.
We used the same assumptions for all other driver profiles, with the following exceptions:
We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor” as reported to the insurer to see rates for drivers with poor credit. In states where credit isn’t taken into account, we only used rates for “good credit.”
For drivers with one at-fault crash, we added a single at-fault crash costing $10,000 in property damage.
For drivers with a DUI, we added a single drunken-driving violation.
We used a 2021 Toyota Camry LE in all cases and assumed 12,000 annual miles driven. We analyzed rates for drivers of the following ages: 20, 30, 35, 40, 50, 60 and 70.
2025 auto insurance survey methodology
The opt-in survey of 7,503 U.S. adults ages 18 and older was conducted online by Russell Research on behalf of NerdWallet in June and July 2024. Respondents were asked to rate one auto insurance brand they obtained or renewed a policy within the past 12 months, with at least some changes to the original policy. These brands were rated on overall satisfaction, overall value, online experience, trustworthiness, mobile app experience, claims experience and customer support on a scale of 1-100.
Only brands with 100 or more qualifying respondents are reported. Of those respondents: 300 were State Farm customers, 300 were Progressive customers, 300 were Allstate customers, 300 were Geico customers, 100 were USAA customers, 157 were AAA customers, 100 were Liberty Mutual customers, 100 were American Family customers, 100 were Farmers customers, 100 were Travelers customers and 101 were Nationwide customers.
