Out and About

Annette Schneider at Shelter Insurance

Time for an Insurance Review!

By Janette Calabro

Shelter Insurance is a mutual insurance company that operates from 15 states, including Nebraska. Annette Schneider is the agency owner of the Bellevue location, competitively offering insurance for multiple needs. “Shelter has about 125 other insurance companies under our agency, so I can focus on the relationship aspect, connecting people and helping them fulfill their dreams,” says Annette. “When my clients say ‘Hey, I’m looking at buying a house,’ I can start them on the process of getting prequalified for a loan or connect them with a real estate agent. I can be of most value as a lifelong agent.”

Home insurance is in high demand right now, since potential homeowners are buying lots, building new homes, and snatching up existing homes in short supply. “The real estate market is tight right now, and a lot of people are looking to build their homes. Shelter offers 40 percent off their homeowner’s insurance rates for homes under construction (subject to underwriting requirements) for the first eight years!” Annette allows time for that to sink in. That’s almost half-price home insurance on new construction for nearly a decade.

When Annette started in the insurance business in 1996, she worked for a regional office of Humana, offering group and health insurance. She worked hard, gaining education and experience at other big-name insurance agencies, and was eventually recruited by Shelter. Her licensure allows her to sell insurance for home, auto, commercial, health, life, and more.

We’re all in the market for coverage during various rites of passage, and Annette wants us to understand how the right insurance coverage can help us navigate our risks in life. “Education is a big thing,” says Annette. For example, you may someday need insurance to protect your home from a fire or storm. You may be in a car accident, which could require health, auto, and life insurance.

Candi is one of Annette’s grateful clients. “Annette has done the impossible for me,” Candi says. “After I was turned down numerous times for life insurance, she found me an affordable plan. Her customer service is second to none. I am so blessed to have this woman in my life!”

Another client, Joni, finds Annette very personable and easy to work with. “I’ve had many insurance agents in my life, but I’ve never had one who paid such attention to detail and who made sure I had exactly the coverage I needed,” Joni says. “Even more exciting is that the coverage Annette found for me personally and for my business costs thousands less per year than my previous coverage.”

Annette is naturally driven to solve problems and take on challenges, arming her clients with the information they need to make educated decisions. Shelter Insurance is “old school,” she says—a place with a whole number of companies geared toward what suits the client best. “Shelter is a very solid company. It’s A-rated, and it is a very relationship-oriented, family-oriented company.”

Annette’s goal is to help protect your assets by packaging and designing insurance coverage for your specific lifestyle. She schedules annual reviews for existing clients to help make sure their coverage still matches their needs. For constant service, her desk phone rolls over to her cell phone when she leaves the office.

“We have companies out there devaluing the importance of having an agent,” Annette cautions. “People have become so focused on price as opposed to being protected appropriately for their situation. They need to meet with their agent!” It’s important to understand the coverage that you have, Annette continues. If you don’t, you might end up thinking you’re covered for something and finding out otherwise when you go to make a claim. “Work with an agent who takes the time to understand who you are and what’s important to you, so you get the coverage you need,” she advises. “Agents are here to educate you on what the options are and to give you choices.”

One choice that Annette wants the public to be aware of is a Junior Life insurance policy. It has a one-and-done upfront premium to protect a child at birth, and that onetime premium covers the child until the age of 26 years. Even if their health changes, protected children will still have guaranteed life insurance as they grow, get married, and have kids of their own.

“I want to be your agent for life,” Annette concludes. “I focus on my clients and do what’s best for them—that’s why I like to sell insurance!” Call Annette at 402-293-7750 for a free insurance policy review. You can also send her a message at aschneider@shelterinsurance.com.

Shelter Life Insurance Company, Columbia, Missouri