Shelter Insurance Review (2025)
- Overall rating: good (3.9/5 stars)
- Average cost: $1,005 for a 6-month policy
- 94.4% of customers recommend Shelter
Read more below to get a quote directly from Shelter.
Shelter Insurance: A good option for coverage and flexibility
Shelter Insurance is recognized for its affordable rates, strong coverage options, and numerous ways for drivers to save, earning a 3.9 rating from experts at The Zebra.
Policyholders generally report positive experiences, enjoying accessible digital tools and reliable service, though some note that customer support can be slower with complex issues.
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Claims convenience: Multiple filing options make submitting claims simple and quick.
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Online management: Handle routine tasks and updates online on your schedule.
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Self-service: Complete tasks independently without waiting for an agent.
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Limited availability: Limited hours can impact your ability to get help during emergencies.
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Claim risk: Unfair resolution can leave valid claims unpaid.
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Policy instability: Frequent changes create confusion and coverage uncertainty.
How The Zebra evaluates insurance companies
| Rating | Explanation | Star rating equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Subpar | Lowest ranking, suggesting instability or high risk | 1-1.9 |
| Fair | Somewhat stable but not consistently reliable | 2-2.9 |
| Good | Generally dependable with moderate stability | 3-3.9 |
| Solid | Strong, reliable and dependable with minor risks | 4-4.4 |
| Exceptional | Highest rating, indicating outstanding stability and reliability | 4.5-5 |
Methodology — how The Zebra reviews insurance companies
The team of insurance experts at The Zebra evaluates companies by focusing on customer experience first, with an emphasis on service quality, reliability, and ease of interaction. Unlike previous models, pricing is not scored but is instead presented separately as context for comparison.
Each category has been scored using a combination of our internal customer satisfaction survey results and published scores from reputable organizations such as AM Best and J.D. Power.
- Service Accessibility & Support Quality (25%): This category measures how easy it is to get help when needed, evaluating factors such as support channel availability (phone, chat, in-person, app), response times, agent knowledge, service hours, and language accessibility.
- Claims Experience (25%): This category assesses how smoothly the claims process works, considering ease of filing (online, app, or phone), transparency and communication, processing times, and fairness in dispute resolution.
- Digital Experience & Policy Management (25%): This category evaluates the convenience of managing your policy: this includes mobile app usability, website experience, account management, digital document access, self-service options, and platform integrations
- Trust & Reliability (25%): This category looks at a company’s overall reliability, measuring financial strength, market stability, regulatory history, communication transparency, and consistency in policy terms.
Price context: Pricing varies significantly based on individual circumstances and risk factors. Customers can evaluate cost-effectiveness based on their specific situation and the service quality scores provided.
How much is Shelter car insurance?
Currently, the national average for a 6-month car insurance policy is $1,084, whereas Shelter is about $1,005.[1]
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool data methodology
The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool for home and auto insurance rates utilizes the latest ZIP code-level rate filings from across the U.S., sourced from Quadrant Information Services and S&P Global. These filings, typically updated annually or biennially by insurers, are verified through Quadrant’s QA process and then integrated into The Zebra’s estimator.
The displayed rates are based on a dynamic home and auto profile designed to reflect the content of the page. This profile is tailored to match specific factors such as age, location, and coverage level, which are adjusted based on the page content to show how these variables can impact premiums.
For a comprehensive understanding, see our detailed methodology.
See how Shelter stacks up against competitors →
Discounts offered at Shelter: wider selection than competitors
Shelter offers an extensive list of discounts, making it competitive for drivers looking to save. Along with the common options you'll find elsewhere (such as continuous insurance and loyalty discounts), Shelter also offers more unique ways to save on premiums.
You can save up to 10% on premiums if you pay in full at the start of your policy.
Drivers who have been accident and violation-free for the last three years can save.
Having more than one vehicle on your policy will earn you this discount.
| Prior Carrier Tenure Discount | Prior Coverage Selection Discount |
| Continuous Insurance Discount | Loyalty Discount |
| Length of Ownership Discount | Companion Other Vehicles Discount |
| Companion Life Policy Discount | Safe Driver Discount |
| Good Student Discount | Pay in Full Discount |
| Passive Restraint Discount | Accident Prevention Course Discount |
| Driver Training Course Discount |
To learn more about each discount Shelter has to offer, see their discounts page.
Compare with other companies
See how Shelter stacks up against similar companies
Cost: $1,005 average cost for a six-month policy
Customer satisfaction: Moderate
Our take:
- Easily submit claims
- Average customer satisfaction
- Robust and wide ranges of discounts available
Cost: $1,133 for a six-month auto policy
Customer satisfaction: High
Our take:
- Cheaper prices than Shelter
- Better customer support than Shelter
- Longer response times than Shelter
Cost: $737 average cost for a six-month policy
Customer satisfaction: Moderate
Our take:
- Cheaper prices to Shelter
- Similar coverage options as Shelter
- Better bundling options than Shelter
Shelter's customer service & claims experience: Fast for routine, slow when complex
Shelter delivers generally dependable service, with routine tasks like managing policies and filing standard claims handled efficiently through digital tools. Customers report strong satisfaction for straightforward claims, though more complex cases can experience delays or communication challenges, making the overall experience somewhat variable.
Thinking about Shelter?
See what other drivers are asking
Does Shelter use local adjusters after a claim?
How do I know if a company even covers my state?
Why is it so hard to get updates on my Shelter claim?
Shelter Customer Survey results
94.4% of customers recommend Shelter
The Zebra conducted a survey across 4,000+ users to gather ratings on major carriers' customer service, claims process, ease of use, and more. See how Shelter was rated in individual categories by expanding the section below.[2]
How much will your rates climb after filing a claim with Shelter?
No one wants to file a claim, but sometimes it's impossible to avoid. See the table below for some examples of what you could be facing after filing a claim.
Updating data...
| Accident/Violation | Avg. 6 Mo. Premium |
|---|---|
| None | $1,035 |
| One comp claim | $1,052 |
| Two comp claims | $1,062 |
| At-fault accident - greater than $2000 | $1,258 |
| At-fault accident - $1000-$2000 | $1,258 |
Source: The Zebra
Shelter Insurance has received above-average ratings for both claims satisfaction and overall customer satisfaction, indicating a strong commitment to efficient and customer-focused service. The company maintains a below-average complaint index, suggesting a positive reputation among policyholders. Shelter Insurance also holds an excellent to good financial strength rating, providing confidence in its ability to reliably pay out claims.
Coverage options: Flexible and customizable
Along with standard coverage like comprehensive, collision, liability, medical payments and uninsured/underinsured motorist, customers can tailor their Shelter insurance with a selection of optional features to suit their needs.
Carrier pulse: Recent news from Shelter
Shelter was named Highest in Customer Satisfaction among Auto Insurers in the Central Region in its 2025 U.S. Auto Insurance Study. This is the eighth time Shelter has been recognized.[3]
Final thoughts: Is Shelter Right for You?
Shelter provides flexible coverage, a wide range of discount opportunities, and dependable claims handling, all supported by strong financial stability. While many customers report smooth experiences with routine tasks, some may encounter limited service hours or occasional changes to their coverage, which can affect more complex situations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shelter
Get quotes from Shelter and other top companies
Data Methodology. The Zebra’s Dynamic Insurance Rating Tool
Anonymized User Survey. The Zebra
It’s Now a Buyer’s Market for Auto Insurance, J.D. Power Finds. J.D. Power
About The Zebra
The Zebra is not an insurance company. We publish data-backed, expert-reviewed resources to help consumers make more informed insurance decisions.
- The Zebra’s insurance content is written and reviewed for accuracy by licensed insurance agents.
- The Zebra’s insurance editorial content is not subject to review or alteration by insurance companies or partners.
- The Zebra’s editorial team operates independently of the company’s partnerships and commercialization interests, publishing unbiased information for consumer benefit.
- The auto insurance rates published on The Zebra’s pages are based on a comprehensive analysis of car insurance pricing data, evaluating more than 83 million insurance rates from across the United States.