Shelter vs. State Farm for home insurance in Missouri - any strong opinions?

I keep hearing about adjusters making or breaking the experience, but I’m curious if Shelter’s process is any smoother or if it’s just as hit-or-miss as State Farm.

We had a pipe burst last winter and filed a claim with Shelter. Honestly, it really did come down to the adjuster. Ours was super responsive, but a neighbor with Shelter had a different guy and it dragged on forever. I don’t think it’s much different from State Farm in that way - luck of the draw, really. Budget-wise, Shelter was a bit cheaper for us, which tipped the scales.

Honestly, it really did come down to the adjuster. Ours was super responsive, but a neighbor with Shelter had a different guy and it dragged on forever.

That’s pretty much what I see too - adjusters can make or break the whole process, no matter the company. One thing I always tell folks: document everything and don’t be afraid to nudge your adjuster if things stall. Even with Shelter or State Farm, being proactive helps. Price-wise, Shelter does tend to come in lower around here, but service is still a bit of a coin toss.

Shelter’s prices are tempting, I’ll give you that. But I’ve always wondered if you end up paying for it in headaches later. Like you said,

“service is still a bit of a coin toss.”

Has anyone actually switched from State Farm to Shelter and noticed a big difference in how claims get handled? Or is it just luck of the draw either way? I had a claim with State Farm after a hailstorm and, honestly, it was smooth, but my cousin down the street had Shelter and it took months... and a lot of phone calls. Maybe it’s just Missouri adjusters in general?

I do agree, though - documenting everything is key. I’ve started keeping a little “insurance diary” on my phone after my last fender bender. Makes it easier to keep track of who said what, especially when you’re juggling work and life and random insurance calls. Anyone else do that, or am I just paranoid?

“service is still a bit of a coin toss.”

That’s been my experience too, honestly. I switched from State Farm to Shelter last year because the rates were just way better, but when I had a minor roof claim, it felt like pulling teeth to get updates. State Farm was pricier but their claims process was almost boringly efficient. Maybe it really is just luck with which adjuster you get.

And you’re not paranoid about the “insurance diary” - I do the same thing, especially after dealing with a totaled car a few years back. It saved me so much hassle when things got confusing.

Honestly, I’ve seen both sides of this. Some folks get a rockstar adjuster at Shelter, others end up frustrated. State Farm’s process is more standardized, but you definitely pay for it. Keeping your own notes is smart - paper trails save headaches when things get messy.