insurance agent

software engineer

adjuster

underwriter

customer service representative

Shelter Insurance

This is a good place to work if you have minimal call center experience and are looking for a good starting point. If you have worked for other efficient and well run call centers then this is not for you. It is fast paced at times because of a combination of staffing issues and the fact that at times it's hard to get good help there so you find yourself running in circles with a customer on hold without good resources. Training is not organized, technology is nowhere near where it should be, "flexible" scheduling is all over the place (if you have a life or family then the scheduling can be challenging). The atmosphere can be very negative at times and it is tolerated. If you are in Columbia then opportunities may be vast but if you are in the other call center then forget about it. If you are in Columbia there are different departments and other things you can look into doing. If you are not there then there is nothing. The CSR's are banded into tiers so the longer you are there, you can move your way up from a Band 1 to 2 then to 3 max, the higher the band, the less your hands are tied but the worse your schedule becomes and from what I understand is that the compensation has not been worth accepting the promotional opportunity. The promotion from a Band 1 to 2 usually happens at or after your one year mark and based soley on business need and getting the offer is mostly on tenure and not necessarily merit. Morale is low, turn-over is high. Pay is nowhere near where it should be considering the work that you do, and the fact that most of the CSR's have a college degree. Your level of education, insurance knowledge, or prior call center experience is taken into consideration when hiring but not taken into consideration when it comes to compensation. It's non-negotiable so whether you have a master's degree, 20 years of experience or no experience at all - everyone is hired at the same rate of pay. Management may say they care but, you will rarely hear from a manager unless you are a fave and with them it's easy to be lost and never get acknowledged for the good that you do unless a customer brings it to their attention.
Keeping it completely real: It's a decent company, decent benefits, but if you have prior call center experience and are used to good training, good technology, structure, a balanced fair and friendly work atmosphere with good core values, good organization, or are just looking to grow and develop, this may not be for you. If you do not set your expectations high then you won't be disappointed. I don't believe that the company itself is a horrible place to be because when I was there, the turnover in other departments is not there so those other departments are doing something right. I can only speak from a customer services standpoint and you need to know what you are getting into upfront.
The most enjoyable part of the work are the relationships you will make with your co-workers. There are definitely good people there, most will agree that it's just not a very good situation.

Agents are put in the field after having to attend 2 10 day training camps in Columbia Missouri. No product knowledge is given at training and is like going to a Mickey Mouse Club show with people actually dressing up in skits.  Absolutely ridiculous. If you are fresh out of high school and have absolutely no idea about sales in the work place this might be the training for you. Company is incestual - meaning husbands and wifes, sisters, uncles, aunts cousins all work here.  If you are related to someone at Shelter (corporate) in Missouri you have a job, Even if your background or skill does not warrant it. And trust me there are many people in positions that have no idea what they are doing or zero skill in Management or Sales or Underwriting   Then,  Management in the field is NEGATIVE and UNPROFESSIONAL and there is absolutely no positive feedback or constructive criticism to help you build an agency. In fact if you are struggling to succeed and  working 60 hours a week, They (manager) will literally tell you to leave and find another job!  Any promise of a contract is a joke and the requirements are mostly unatainable so good luck there.  There have been people who worked without a contract, (no renewals) for over 8 to 10 years, some were fired after putting in the time to the company and the field and a few were finally contracted after threatening to leave.  They simply DO NOT support agents in the field and do not care how long an agency is sitting vacant.  I would not recommend this company on any level.  There is no comraderie, zero motivation from management and you do not have a voice on change or barely rating, quoting and writing business.  The underwriters run the company and will return premium and close accounts on a daily basis,It is left up to them and they have the power to make those decisions even if it is not warranted.     The computer programming for rating accounts goes down constantly as it was built by the corporate office and has so many flaws they (servicing) cannot keep up with it.  This company just isn't a great place to work for it is a constant battle and is so disapointing and disheartening on so many levels.  Save your time and energy for a job that is going to satisfy you and help you succeed- life is too short!

Very disappointed to see that the Supervision in Shelter Customer Services does not care about their employees. When I interviewed I was happy to be part of the team until I started working there. There is no team. Very disorganized. Very out of touch/Not current/Old fashioned mentalities. They say that they "expect high turnover" and it is apparent. There are great employees/people that they are loosing at a very fast rate and they do not care. They post positions because they are replacing, not because they are growing. People are not getting fired, they are leaving. You are not a asset to their company you are there to fill a seat. You are bottom of the barrell and unappreciated. You will never hear that you are doing a good job, no pats on the back, you will only hear from a Supervisor if they have something negative to tell you. You are not promoted to the next level because you are good at what you do, it is only if there is a "need" to promote you. There is little (one step up) to no advancement in the Kansas City (Lee's Summit) call center. Upper level management, Management, Supervision, Human Resources are not aware how unhappy anyone is because they never take the time to ask us. Clueless. Unless someone gets lucky, finds other employment and just so happens to get a exit interview will anyone get heard and changes are never made. Other departments are happy with very little turn over, so it is probably a good company, just a horribly run department. Worst place I have ever worked. It's convenient to home and looking from the outside-in, I would have never expected to be this unhappy. I go there, collect my paycheck and keep my mouth shut to stay off the radar. At this point I am looking to get out even if it means my commute will be longer. :(

My boss were very easy to get along with, I enjoyed going to work! A typical day: I would arrive at the office between 7:30am and 8: am retrieve the phone messages, and log on the computer, and start returning calls. Most calls I would be able to answered there questions, but there were times that that my boss would take it because it would involve either more detail or it was about life or health! (not my expertise) as the day would I would be faxing, filing or retrieving files, setting up appointment with clients, and so forth, the day would go by so fast! I learned how to patient with some of our clients and i also learned how to listen to them! My boss was the very patient with me and talked to and explained things when I may have been confused on a matter! I personally did not have a coworker under my boss but there was another receptionist/agent that could help the other agent in the office and at time the office would get pretty loud with laughter there were a lot of fun moments! I believe the hardest part of the job was when i had try to drum up some more business, There was no interest so it got frustrating at times! The most enjoyable time, well I have to say that just been able to work with such great people that I enjoyed my job period. When I knew that we were moving I gave my two weeks’ notice and we all cried and i do miss them especially the other agent even though she wasn’t my boss but she was and still is a good a really good agent. I have been out of a job for a while! I would like to get back to work even if it is part time! In fact i would prefer part time!

There problem is rates and the disconnect from upper management and lower management. If you get hired as an agent in a time where you couldn’t sell a policy if you gave it away because their rates are double everyone else then you have very little chance of making it. They set goals and away you go but if you think your selling any policies to a mom dad and a few kids… good luck. Their rates on youthful drivers is three to eight times progressive. Sure they can have you just sell progressive but then the homeowners prices skyrocket. Sure you don’t want the lowest rate in town so you can have good claims but double to triple State Farm…. Come on 

Don’t get me wrong the people who work at shelter are great but their management are so disconnected from today’s reality it’s crazy. Massive amounts of useless meetings and agents from within that will bad mouth anyone to steal a policy. Management will do nothing.

They love making you sell life but life underwriting doesn’t want to actually get in policies approved and out the door. Property underwriting likewise loves to not approve policies. 

Could be a great company if they adjusted expectations as much as they adjust their auto rates.

I've had a few positions within Shelter and can honestly say it's a very "meh" company. Everyone talks about how amazing of an employer Shelter is- but I don't see it. The benefits are decent, except if you were hired after 7/2022, you no longer qualify for the pension. They promote profit sharing as this awesome thing- but they haven't been able to issue it entirely in the last 3 years. They constantly ram "Shelter Culture" down your throat- and what an excellent place to work it is- and yet they are forcing people back in the office to "return to the culture"- but they fail to realize that forcing people back in the office is NOT the way to promote culture. Shelter needs to examine the worldwide shift and try to implement ways to encourage connections instead of forcing them. Shelter must also reexamine management and take surveys on management efficiency from their subordinates. 

It is a difficult job with little name recogntion, no leads, expensive career health insurance, small marketing budget and solo job as agent. I almost starved as salaried agent, if your spouse/significant other does not work, forget it. In comparison to my friends, which are Farmers and Farm Bureau agents-this career path is weak.I have been for while, now and am captive and could not take book with me, so I stay. Almost everyone I know would leave if they could.
Be careful in selecting Shelter, the newer agent prospects that have called on me, after understanding the concept and visiting me in my office, elect to go with another carrier. You are welcome to contact me-better to go in with your eyes wide open. There are positives such as knowing everyone in corporate, the underwriters, and feeling a part of something small and inclusive.

What is the best part of working at the company?
When I started working at Shelter Insurance it felt like we were all 1 big family who genuinely cared for one another but it was cut throat by the time I left.


What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
No matter how much insurance you sold they always wanted you to sell at least that much the following year. And if you didn't sell enough life policies they would threaten to fire you. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Either sell enough life insurance policies to generate $20,000 per year in life ins premiums or your fired. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Working with the clients was wonderful & selling them the coverage they needed gave a good feeling but when management was breathing down your neck it was awful.

Working at Shelter Insurance has been quite an enriching experience. The company culture fosters a sense of community and support among colleagues, making it a pleasant environment to work in. The management team is approachable and values employee input, which contributes to a collaborative atmosphere. Additionally, the company provides opportunities for professional growth and development, with access to training programs and resources. Overall, my time at Shelter Insurance has been rewarding, and I've gained valuable skills and experiences that have helped me grow in my career.

Claim Assistants are given many responsibilities but the co-workers and environment of this office motivates a person to do there very best. The employees were kind, respectful and humorous individuals. They have an amazing work ethic and they all strive for the same purpose to help others as best they can. Everyday you learn new things and adopt new skills. The great team in Shelter, not only helps insureds and claimants but they also help the other staff members. They are patient, understanding and tactful. As a person one can grow and be the very best version of themselves, when they are given this kind of treatment and show a humble attitude to learn. By far this is the best place to work.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Insurance agent 3 salaries reported	$5,333 per month
Software engineer 4 salaries reported	$21.51 per hour
Adjuster 2 salaries reported	$25.47 per hour
Underwriter 5 salaries reported	$52,200 per year
Customer service representative 2 salaries reported	$13.55 per hour

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