Our History

Knapp Miller Brown Insurance Services, Inc. is an independent insurance agency based in Salem, Indiana, with a history spanning over a century. While exact founding details may vary slightly depending on the source, the agency traces its origins back to the early 1900s. It began as a small operation under the ownership of J. Monroe Carter, who established it as one of the earliest insurance providers in the region. In the 1920s, the agency was purchased by O.E. Coffman and operated as O.E. Coffman Insurance until 1961, when it was sold to his son-n-law Jack Etzler. Etzler then renamed to Etzler Insurance and ran it until 1987.

In 1987, James Knapp acquired the agency, initially retaining the Etzler Insurance name. A significant milestone came in 1992 when Knapp merged with Steven Miller, who owned the Hedrick Tash agency, and together forming Knapp Miller Insurance.

In 1994, the agency underwent another merger, this time with Bill Barnett, owner of the Brown Agency, resulting in the current name: Knapp Miller Brown Insurance Services, Inc.

In 2007, James Knapp sold his stake in Knapp Miller Brown Insurance Services, Inc. to Mark Nantz. After leading the agency since 1987 and guiding its mergers in 1992 and 1994, Knapp handed over ownership to Nantz, Miller & Barnett. .

In 2018, Mark Nantz, President, acquired the Property & Casualty book of business from ET Insurance Agency in Salem.

In 2020 Steve Miller and Bill began transitioning to retirement.

In 2021 Anthony Scifres, Zack Richards and Jonathan Spaulding purchased the agency from Nantz, Miller & Barnett.

In 2022 KMB purchased Huffaker Insurance from Scott Huffaker as he transitioned to retirement.