About Us
Founded in 1914, HMK Insurance offers Commercial Insurance, Employee Benefits and Personal Insurance solutions to our valued clients. Operating a successful agency for over 100 years has given us an unprecedented wealth of practical experience that we pass onto our clients. We work to solve clients problems intelligently, quickly and cost-effectively. Our commitment is to anticipate your needs and tailor solutions to protect your financial future. Through building a team of only the most knowledgeable advisors we focus on our goal of guiding our clients through the confusing maze of insurance options and requirements. HMK has always operated on the core values of building trusted relationships and that every client matters.
HMK is a founding member of Alera Group. Alera Group is the nation’s 15th largest independent insurance agency and provides us access to resources, technical expertise and best practices of a larger national firm, while maintaining local personal care and thoughtful customer service. HMK is also a founding member of the Insurance Alliance Network- a collection of premiere independent agencies working together to leverage our relationships with insurance companies to bring clients the best insurance products and services available. We position ourselves as leaders in the insurance world to ensure a high level of confidence in our expertise which sets us apart.
Meet Our Team
Chip Buck
Commercial Insurance Consultant
When Chip joined HMK in 2004, he brought a diverse educational background, including degrees in engineering and theology as well as leadership experience in business and non-profits. Today he insures businesses of all kinds, including manufacturers, distributors, design firms, contractors, IT service providers, schools, and non-profits, as well as 300 fast food restaurants! Chip holds multiple insurance industry designations and awards including his Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) and Commercial Lines Coverage Specialist (CLCS). When he’s not working, he enjoys traveling, volunteering, and spending time with his wife and three sons.
Todd Collins
Vice President
Todd Collins joined HMK Insurance in 2013 and is a licensed Property & Casualty agent. Prior to his tenure with HMK, Todd was the Business Development Manager in the Department of Community and Economic Development for the City of Allentown where he played a key role in managing the implementation of the City’s economic development strategies. Todd is highly regarded for his business acumen and leadership skills.
In 2019, Todd was one of 40 individuals invited by Alera’s national leadership to be a trainer of the Collaborative Way – a methodology and system to enhance culture and provide a common language for Alera firms to use in order to encourage collaboration among the unique agencies across the country. To-date, he has facilitated over two-dozen in-person and virtual workshops for Alera offices and colleagues around the country.
At the beginning of 2023, Todd joined the local management team at HMK. In addition to general support and guidance to lead the agency, Collins focuses on general staff development and culture.
Todd’s areas of expertise also include insurance and risk management services for real estate development & management, Craft Beverage Manufacturing & Hospitality, Food Manufacturers, Wholesalers and Processers, as well Public and Non-Profit Organizations.
Collins received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Delaware. He is a volunteer coach and actively serves at his church, Grace Church Bethlehem. He resides in the City of Bethlehem with his wife and four sons.
Christian Davis
Risk Management Consultant
Christian Davis contributes to the HMK team as a Risk Management Consultant. Christian focuses on assisting clients with reducing costs and maintaining OSHA compliance through safety education and training and preventative planning. Christian’s strong medical background, ability to handle and implement policies and flexibility with difficult situations allow him to succeed in his position. Christian is a certified EMT-B and OSHA 30 Construction & General industry instructor.
Outside of his work life, Christian enjoys sports, video games, craft beverages, and traveling.
Matthew DelBorrello
Commercial Insurance Consultant
As a Commercial Insurance Consultant Matt helps his clients build an insurance program that meets their operations specific need and provides appropriate protection. He is a license Property & Casualty producer and his previous insurance experience includes specializing in Workers’ Compensation coverage. Matt values strong relationships and believes in putting the client first in every aspect of his role.
Matt earned his bachelor’s degree from Penn State University. He is a huge college football fan, GO PENN STATE! He enjoys all things outdoors, fishing, hiking, and boating. Matt lives in the Lehigh Valley with his wife and puppy and spends much of his time working on home renovations and dog training! He has also been a volunteer leader for Young Life in the Lehigh Valley for the past 5 years.
Resources
Risk Management Resources
- OSHA Website: https://www.osha.gov/
- OSHA Established Search: https://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/establishment.html
- OSHA eTools: https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/oshasoft/
- Injury Tracking Application: https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting/
- Pa Workers’ Compensation Act- https://www.dli.pa.gov/Individuals/Workers-Compensation/publications/Pages/WC%20Act/WC-Act-Landing-Page.aspx
- Initial HandS Application- https://www.hands.state.pa.us/HandS.Web/OrganizationRegistration.aspx
- HandS Re-register- https://www.hands.state.pa.us/HandS.Web/Login.aspx
Other Resources
Enroll in AblePay
Comprehensive list of carriers and links to claims sites
Mercy School for Special Learning: Outdoor Area Project
Each Spring, HMK Insurance, an Alera Group Company participates in the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley’s Volunteer Challenge Project. In 2022, HMK had the honor of partnering with Mercy School for Special Learning. Mercy School provides children and young adults with special needs the best opportunity to reach their utmost potential by providing academic, art, and life skill services and support. The school needed some assistance in updating its outdoor space. HMK removed the older wooden fence around the vegetable garden and replaced it with a vinyl fence, refinished the wooden playground train, and weather-proofed the benches in the playground area. The HMK team also held fundraisers in our office with the company matching all funds raised to make sure Mercy School did not have to take on any of the costs. The entire project was a fulfilling experience for all of us at HMK. One of the most touching experiences was being invited to lunch each day by the staff and students at Mercy School and sharing meals and laughter with them.
Stronger Together Initiative
Challenging times across our country call for individuals, companies and the community to come together even while physically staying apart. To do so, HMK Insurance and The Insurance Alliance Network have joined forces with our insurance company partners to develop the Stronger Together Initiative.
As an offering of support to both our clients and our community, our agency will patronize a local eatery/restaurant by ordering meals to be delivered to our frontline healthcare and essential workers. Now more than ever, our community restaurants need our support and what better way than to supply our essential frontline heroes with a meal from one of our own partners.
By providing nourishment and business support; we hope to uplift those who need it the most. We will make it through this because we are Stronger Together.
To learn more about this important initiative and all of it’s supporters visit The Insurance Alliance Network Stronger Together webpage
2019 HMK Volunteer Challenge: Easton Neighborhood Center
HMK once again participated in the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley’s annual Volunteer Challenge! This year HMK partnered with The Easton Neighborhood Center which is a local non-profit that supports the community of Easton providing community outreach, food pantry services (including an urban farm which produces 6,000 pounds of fresh produce for the pantry and beyond), and a shelter for families experiencing homelessness. HMK took on a three-part project consisting of updating the kitchen at the community center, building a level path on their urban farm and a home goods drive to provide bedding, kitchen items, bath essentials, cleaning products and window dressings for families at or entering the shelter. HMK would like to thank The Easton Neighborhood Center for all they do for the community and for partnering with us for this incredible rewarding project!
HMK Clothing Drive for The Perfect Fit
HMK partnered with The Perfect Fit For Working Women by conducting a business clothing drive in our office. One of our HMK clients volunteers at the non-profit and contacted our very own Michael Stocker letting him know of their need for women’s clothing. Michael set up the office clothing drive and delivered ten bags of clothes in support of their cause. The Perfect Fit For Working Women in run through the YWCA of Allentown and provides professional work clothes to women without the financial means to afford a suitable wardrobe.
Holiday Hope Chest Drive
HMK has been participating in the Volunteer Center of the Lehigh Valley’s Holiday Hope Chest drive for the past 9 years. Each holiday season, HMK staff members stuff wrapped shoe boxes with presents and essentials for children in need of the Lehigh Valley. Each staff volunteer is given a specific age range of child to focus on along with a suggested gift list from the Volunteer Center. Many of us look forward to this tradition each year because of the joy and impact it brings.
100th Anniversary Habitat Home Build
In celebration of HMK’s 100th Anniversary our team decided to build a home with Habitat for Humanity! Every single staff member worked 2-4 weekly shifts over 3 week period to contribute to the construction of the home in Bethlehem, Pa. Total number of hours volunteered were 504! In the end the home was occupied by a deserving Habitat-Partner Family.
EXPERT EDUCATION
Events and Webinars
Property and Casualty
2025 Property and Casualty Market Outlook
Join our property and casualty experts for an exclusive look at the trends and challenges shaping the insurance landscape in 2025.
January 15, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
Setting Your Strategy for the New Year: Alera Group's 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook
Our experts will highlight key results from Alera Group’s "2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook" and explain how these trends can impact your benefits program this year.
January 16, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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Employee Benefits
The Value of Voluntary Benefits
In this session, our experts will showcase the value of voluntary benefits, from financial savings to improved retention to addressing the specific needs of their employees.
March 20, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual
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THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Insights
Employee Benefits
State of the Market for Employee Benefits in 2025
What are the needs and priorities of those in the workforce and the employment market? What are rival businesses offering to attract and retain the best the market has to offer? And what shifts are taking place in the market that employers should anticipate and prepare for? Alera Group’s 2025 Employee Benefits Market Outlook, scheduled for release on January 16, provides answers to those essential questions.
December 19, 2024
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Property and Casualty
It’s Here! — Alera Group’s Fifth Annual 'Property and Casualty Market Outlook'
Alera Group's "2025 Property and Casualty Market Outlook" is your guide to making informed decisions regarding your business and personal insurance coverage.
December 12, 2024
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Employee Benefits
Don’t Forget About Your Gag Clause Attestations
When the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (CAA) was enacted on December 27, 2020, it included a provision that prohibits group health plans and health insurance carriers from entering into certain agreements that, either directly or indirectly, restrict the release of certain information related to provider networks and de-identified encounter data, among other things. Such restrictions are commonly referred to as “gag clauses.” The CAA also requires plans and carriers to attest annually that their agreements do not include such impermissible gag clauses.
November 20, 2024
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Avoiding an Employee Lawsuit Over a Tobacco Surcharge Claim
Tobacco surcharges on health insurance premiums for employees who use tobacco products are attractive options for employers looking to keep their workforce healthy while lowering their organization’s healthcare costs. But surcharges can go too far, and many employers may be unaware of the limitations. Alera Group's new whitepaper on tobacco surcharges is designed to assist employers in complying with federal regulations.
November 19, 2024
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