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
    Chip Buck

    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

    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

    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
    Matthew DelBorrello

    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.

    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.

    Mercy School for Special Learning: Outdoor Area Project

    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

    Stronger Together Initiative

    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!

    2019 HMK Volunteer Challenge: Easton Neighborhood Center

    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.

    HMK Clothing Drive for The Perfect Fit

    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.

    Holiday Hope Chest Drive

    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.

    100th Anniversary Habitat Home Build

    EXPERT EDUCATION

    Events and Webinars

    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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    Webinar graphic - Alera Engage

    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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    Webinar Graphic

    Employee Benefits

    Balancing Cost and Care: Could Captive Insurance Be the Solution?

    In this session, our experts will discuss how Captive Insurance works and what you need to consider for your own group’s needs.

    April 17, 2025 at 01:00 pm CT | Virtual

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    Engage Webinar Graphic

    Quote from Phil Lipschultz

    Craft-Maid Kitchens, Inc. has been working with HMK insurance for a number of years in our quest to control our health benefits and not sacrifice coverage for our employees. My experience with them has been nothing but positive. Our agents took the time to understand what my goals are for our employee benefits. They did all the research and quoting necessary to recommend what is our best option for coverages on each yearly renewal. Our implementation of the renewal policies has been smooth and they have communicated our benefits to our employees very effectively. I consider them to be a reliable partner now and into the future.
    Craftmaid
    Phil Lipschultz General Manager Craft-Maid Kitchens, Inc

    Quote from Sean Boyle

    HMK has been so much more than an “insurance broker” to me over the past 20 years. Boyle Construction has grown tremendously in the last 10 years and the construction business in general has changed as well. HMK has always been a trusted advisor to me in helping manage our growth and our risks. Obviously competitive pricing is always a factor, however for me getting the proper insurance coverages are even more important. Our agent and everyone at HMK have always been there and super responsive for not only my claims, but also to advise me on the coverages that I need for our ever changing and growing business. I am a construction person, not an insurance person so I rely heavily on HMK as a partner and they have always provided me the best service and invaluable advice.
    Boyle Construction
    Sean Boyle President Boyle Construction, Inc

    Quote from Joshua Malik

    HMK has been straight forward and offers an individual approach, simplifying the insurance process, so I can focus on the essentials of business. They are fast to respond to my requests and take the guess work out of the complicated and intimidating process of all my business insurance needs. They are continually swift to my needs and demonstrate exceptional customer service. Thanks to all at HMK for making a yearly, complicated process, such as insurance, one of ease and success year after year.
    Joshua Tree Experts
    Joshua Malik President Joshua Tree Experts

    Quote from Roger Ernst

    I have the highest regard for the professionalism of HMK Insurance. I have received excellent advice and guidance on business insurance needs since 1998. My personal insurance needs: home, car, personal liability, etc. has always been handled efficiently and pleasantly by HMK. Insurance is one of the few things we buy with the intent of never using it so it is important to buy it from people we enjoy dealing with.
    Case Design
    Roger Ernst President Case Design Corp.

    Quote from David Noel

    My relationship with HMK Insurance started over 20 years ago, when they earned their way into providing Dual Temp’s casualty and property insurance. The choice was not difficult, as they obviously understood my business and industry, and could deal with our uniqueness. Over the years, they have sourced all my insurance needs – casualty and property, officers and directors liability, workers compensation, pollution liability, automotive fleet coverage, etc. They also are instrumental in keeping our bonding line high in value and reasonable in cost. And in recent years we have entrusted them with our employees’ health care offerings and administration. Each of their products is headed by the absolute most professional agency partner who serves as our consultant in the truest sense. It is safe for me to say that I cannot imagine leading my business without their entire team on my side.
    Dual Temp Company
    David Noel CEO Dual Temp Company

    Quote from Just Born Quality Confections

    Just Born Quality Confections has had the privilege of working with HMK for over 40 years! What began as a transactional relationship fast became a partnership – in every sense of the word. We take great pride in developing longstanding partnerships, and HMK is a standout . . . always understanding our needs, and proactively addressing them. They are among our most highly valued and trusted professional advisors. Effectively providing a comprehensive insurance program has enabled us to be a sweeter company!
     Just Born Quality Confections
    Just Born Quality Confections CEO Just Born Quality Confections

    Quote from Jon Norman

    Mid-Atlantic Craft Beverage Insurance has been very helpful to our brewery. Our agent is one of the most reliable vendors that is quick to help, answer questions, and solve problems. This has made it much easier to focus on the most important parts of our business
    Funk Brewing Company
    Jon Norman Vice President Funk Brewing Company

    Quote from David Shields

    We have been a client of HMK for over twenty years and have always found them to be extremely knowledgeable and responsive to all our insurance questions and needs. Our agent helped guide us with the insurance we needed when we opened our business and he continues to make suggestions for new types of insurance which would benefit our company. HMK has been a pleasure to work with and has a wonderful team of professionals. I would highly recommend them!
    Keycodes Inspection Agency
    David Shields Owner Keycodes Inspection Agency

    Quote from Elaine Pivinski

    As a multi-faceted business, Franklin Hill Vineyards is secure in the knowledge that HMK Insurance has us covered! We are a local vineyard and winery that is growing quickly. HMK Insurance has been protecting us as we grow – covering our farm, vineyard, winery, retail locations and distribution needs. They take a hands on approach providing us with updates to our insurance, prompt responses to questions and a general feeling of accessibility. With HMK Insurance, we at Franklin Hill Vineyards can continue to create award winning wines and provide our customers with the best possible experience as we have done for more than 30 years!
    Franklin Hill Vineyards
    Elaine Pivinski Owner Franklin Hill Vineyards

    THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

    Insights

    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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    Employee Benefits

    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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    Employee Benefits

    Q4 Considerations: New HIPAA Privacy Considerations

    Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) issued a Final Rule titled HIPAA Privacy Rule to Support Reproductive Health Care Privacy.

    November 15, 2024

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