Our History…
Knapp Miller Brown was formed in 1992 by two independent insurance agents who had a vision of how to partner with their competitors. They understood the advantages of creating “win/win” situations by using a philosophical approach of “1+1=3”, whereby agents could achieve more as a group than each one could individually.
This agency was originally founded in the early 1900's by J. Monroe Carter here in Salem. Sometime in the 1920’s it was purchased by O.E. Coffman who operated it as O.E. Coffman Insurance until he sold to Jack Etzler in 1961. Mr. Etzler changed the name to Etzler insurance and operated it until 1987. James Knapp worked with Jack in the Agency from 1986 until he purchased it in 1987. He continued to operate as Etzler Insurance until 1992 when he merged with Steven Miller, owner of the Hedrick Tash agency. The name was then changed to Knapp Miller Insurance and remained as such until 1994 when they merged with Bill Barnett, owner of the Brown Agency. The name was then changed to Knapp Miller Brown Insurance Services, Inc., the current name today.
In 2006 James Knapp sold his interest to Mark Nantz who had been working with the agency for several years while owning and operating Kentuckiana Group, a benefits agency in New Albany. Mark merged his agency into Knapp Miller Brown in January 2007. The names have changed over the years, but the focus has remained the same, providing exceptional service to our clients through the competitive advantages KMB brings to the equation.
In January of 2007, Knapp Miller Brown became a partner of Keystone Insurance Group. KIG is a premier franchisor with over 135 locations throughout IN, OH, PN, VA, and NC. Becoming a partner with KIG, allows for Knapp Miller Brown to provide customers with an even greater selection of companies and competive products.
Our agency has been in continuous operation in Salem, Indiana for over 100 years and has taken pride in serving the community's insurance needs. We are proud of our history and accomplishments in this community