About Us
Protecting Our Community’s Assets For Over 60 Years
Knepper Insurance Group has strived to help their clients throughout the entire insurance process, from the initial consultation, to processing and following up on a claim. We pride ourselves on guiding our clients through even the most complex protection issues, while being their advocate if they ever suffer a loss.
We represent many of the nation’s most trusted insurance companies and major benefits providers, which allows us to find and customize a plan that’s right for you. This also gives us the unique opportunity to provide options and choices you might not have even considered.
Give us a call at 800-253-3750 to request a quote and review options with one of our friendly and knowledgeable staff members!
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Jim Knepper CLU, ChFC, CIC
President
Jim began his insurance career in June of 1974 as a personal lines Customer Service Representative. His current responsibilities include overall management of the agency as well as customer sales. Jim currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Community Action Program of Somerset County (Tablelands, Inc.) of which he is a Past President. He is also a Board Member of both Laurel Arts, Inc. and Somerset Trust Company. Jim is Past President and a member of Somerset Volunteer Fire Department; and a member of the Somerset Rotary Club, the Somerset Corrections Institution liaison committee, and the Somerset Borough Planning Commission. He attends Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. In Jim’s spare time, he enjoys golf, skiing, and racquetball. Jim and his wife Lorie have two children, Alexandra and Erin.
Andrea Zachar
Senior Products Specialist – Medicare
Andrea joined the Knepper Insurance Group in 2005, working in the Life and Health Department as a Customer Service Representative. In 2006, she became a Senior Products Specialist dealing with Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. Andrea advises clients on Medicare options and provides customer service. She also handles individual health insurance plans, including those offered through the Federal health Insurance Marketplace, and life insurance. In addition, she assists group customers in ensuring that are compliant with ACA, HIPAA, and ERISA regulations, and provides guidance on implementing and maintaining of necessary documents and Summary Plan Descriptions.
She received a Bachelor of Science degree and Paralegal certificate from the Pennsylvania State University, holds a Pennsylvania Life and Health Insurance License, and has completed the National Association of Health Underwriters certification course on the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Andrea is a member of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church in Somerset. She and her husband, Joe, have three children, Joseph, Jessica, Johanna. Her interests include reading, Yoga, and enjoying Penn State football games with her family.
Cathy Niemiec
Customer Service Representative
Cathy worked as an Administrative Assistant for 14 years before joining the Knepper Agency as a Bookkeeper/Receptionist in 2001. After a year and a half, she moved to the health department and obtained her life and health license. Since that time, Cathy has been assisting customers with questions about their benefits or problems with claims, prescriptions etc. She also helps to enroll new groups to the agency. Cathy is a member of St. Peter’s Roman Catholic Church where she helps with CCD. In her spare time, she enjoys attending her children’s sporting events and activities, reading, and watching movies. Cathy is married to Matt and they have three children, Trevor and wife Kaitlyn, Courtney, and Emily.
Shari Peters
Account Manager
Shari is an Account Manager in the Commercial Insurance Department. She is responsible for the customer service of all commercial accounts, and assists in the sales and placement of new business. Shari graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with B.S. degree in Business in 1993. She obtained the Accredited Adviser in Insurance (AAI) designation in 1994 and the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation in 2002. She has been employed with Knepper Insurance Group since 1998. Shari lives in Somerset with her husband Brett and two children, Haylee and Garrett. In her spare time, she enjoys attending her children’s sporting events and extracurricular activities, and reading.
Laurie Wahl
Vice President of Employee Benefits
Laurie Wahl, Vice President of Employee Benefits at Knepper Insurance Group, epitomizes integrity, energy, hard work, and creative services in every detail of managing her clients health insurance needs. Laurie has over 20 years of insurance experience, grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania, and attributes her work ethic to her father, a Pennsylvania State Policeman. Married to Jon for over 34 years, she was thrilled to move back to her hometown after living in Wyoming, Louisiana, and Texas. In her role at Knepper Insurance, Laurie is responsible for sales, client management, and customer service for groups size 2 to 500+, with client retention rate of 98+%. She values the relationships she consistently builds with her clients and sees herself as a part of their team. Laurie uses her experience, drive and foresight to proactively address our lawmakers by lobbying for healthcare issues and reform in both Harrisburg, PA and Washington, DC. She is an active member of NAHU and has attended their national conference for the past several years. She sits on the UPMC Advisory Board representing Somerset County and on the E-MAP board of directors, a coalition that serves employers in Somerset and surrounding counties in attaining affordable healthcare benefits. Laurie has been a top producer with the E-MAP coalition, and has been recognized as such annually since 2002.You will find Laurie on several committees at St. Peter’s Catholic Church. She also spearheads a memorial fund that celebrates her brother’s life. The fund provides an annual scholarship and more importantly, provides benefits to locally handicapped children with special needs.She has two grown children, Lauren and Landon and has recently welcomed her first granddaughter, Mia Francine.
Mike Mitchell, AINS
Account Executive
Mike graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. degree in Safety Sciences and originally started his insurance career in the loss control department. He joined the Knepper Insurance Group in November of 2012 as an Account Executive in the Commercial Lines Department. Mike is licensed in Property & Casualty and is responsible for commercial sales and loss control. He is also a member of the Somerset Exchange Club and in his spare time enjoys hiking, kayaking, skiing, and other outdoor activities.
Diamond Hillegass
Account Manager
Diamond Hillegass joined the Knepper Insurance Group in October 2016. Diamond came in with already four years of experience in the insurance industry. She is currently the Personal lines account manager of the agency. She has worked in both personal lines and also has a little bit commercial experience. Her responsibilities include customer service on all existing personal lines accounts while also producing new sales in Property and Casualty. Diamond resides in Somerset with her fiance, Zac, and her four daughters: Rihanna, Jaelyn, Alexis, and Skylar. In her spare time she enjoys attending all of her children’s soccer and softball sporting events while also rooting for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Steelers.
Sue Miller
Receptionist Bookkeeping, & Accounting
Sue Miller has worked as a bookkeeper and in accounting since 1986 and has worked for The Knepper Agency since 2002. Sue’s Duties include receptionist, bookkeeping, accounting functions for the Agency. In 2006, she received her Property & Casualty license and since then has also assisted with customer service in the personal lines department. She is an associate member of the Red Knights Chapter 28 Motorcycle Club. She enjoys reading, walking her dog and attending her grandson’s sporting events. Sue is married to her husband Bill and have two sons, Brandon and Blake and two grandchildren, Callen and Brooklyn.