ABOUT INSURANCE PROFESSIONALS
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Insurance Professionals is an independent insurance agency that was started in 2006 when Bruce Kniefel and JoEllen Schneider decided to join forces as individual health and group benefits insurance brokers.
As an independent insurance agency, we do not work for an insurance carrier. Instead, we work for you. Insurance Professionals shops the major carriers to find the best product and best price to protect your assets.
We are a team of specialists who can tailor insurance solutions to fit your personal and business needs. From the cradle to the grave, from your first car to your booming business, we are there for you. Price, product, and service will always be our top objectives for you.
As an independent insurance agency, we do not work for an insurance carrier. Instead, we work for you. Insurance Professionals shops the major carriers to find the best product and best price to protect your assets.
We are a team of specialists who can tailor insurance solutions to fit your personal and business needs. From the cradle to the grave, from your first car to your booming business, we are there for you. Price, product, and service will always be our top objectives for you.
JoEllen Schneider
jschneider@insurancepros.org
208-395-1132 Ext 1
JoEllen is a benefit consultant and principal broker of Insurance Professionals, Inc. of Boise, ID. JoEllen specializes in employer medical, dental, vision, life and disability benefit plans – both employer paid & voluntary. She has developed and managed over 200 small employer benefit plans in the fully insured market. JoEllen acts as an extension of your HR team, providing compliance guidance for COBRA, FMLA, USERRA, HIPAA, E-Security, FSA’s, HSA’s and HRA’s, understanding that small employers don’t always have the time or resources to understand the complexities of compliance issues. JoEllen is a member of the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors and Idaho Health Underwriter’s Association. She is a past president of Business Networking International, and is Past President of Treasure Valley Association of Health Underwriters. She has been a licensed health and life insurance broker in Idaho since 1994 and in 2007 added her property and casualty designations to her Idaho insurance license.
Originally from Minnesota, JoEllen holds a BA in Business Management from Augustana College where she played intercollegiate basketball. She is an avid gardener and enjoys cooking with the bounty from her garden. She enjoys exploring the great Idaho outdoors with her husband, Nick.
Lew Chumich
lchumich@insurancepros.org
208-395-1132 Ext 3
208-861-3019 (cell)
Lew is a successful agent/benefit consultant with broad experience working with small to midsize businesses. He helps his clients develop long-term innovative strategies and solutions, which helps them, get to where they want to be. Developing trust, strong relationships, and genuinely caring about his clients is important to Lew and he works hard to bring value to each relationship. Prior to entering the insurance industry, Lew was an assistant football coach on the collegiate level, with coaching stints at both University of Idaho and Boise State University. Lew and his wife Betsy have three grown children. He is also a graduate of San Diego State University.
Stephanie Hartruft
shartruft@insurancepros.org
208-395-1132 Ext. 5
208-424-3125 (fax)
Stephanie Hartruft is passionate about partnering with businesses to navigate the complex world of insurance with precision and expertise. Focusing on selecting customized benefits that align with your company culture and fit within your budget. You will not find her face on a billboard. Stephanie has built her business on a strong foundation that is referral based. She would love the opportunity to earn your business and exceed your expectations.
Stephanie has been actively serving on the board for the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP Treasure Valley) since 2021 and have been honored with the Golden Eagle (2022) and Soaring Eagle (2023) award for qualifying for the Leading Producers Round Table. She am always looking for opportunities to grow personally and professionally, graduating from NABIP’s Leadership Academy 101 (2022) and 201 (2023).
When Stephanie is not in the office she enjoys experiencing the outdoors with her husband of over 20 years, her 3 children, and their 2 dogs. She is an avid sportsman and if given an opportunity, "I will chase fish from sunrise to sunset."
Insurance Pros Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of insurance do you offer?
We offer a full range of insurance options for individuals, families, and businesses. This includes health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, as well as employer group benefit plans designed for small and mid-sized companies.
Do you work for a specific insurance carrier or for me?
We work for you. We are an independent agency, which means we compare plans from multiple insurance carriers to help you find the right coverage at the right price.
Can you help my small business with employee benefits?
Yes. We help small businesses set up and manage group benefit plans. We can build packages that include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage. We also help you decide what works best for your team and your budget.
How do I get health insurance for myself or my family?
You can contact Insurance Professionals at any time, and we will walk you through your best options. We compare plans, explain what each one covers, and help you enroll in the plan that fits your needs.
Do you only offer health insurance?
No. Along with health insurance, we also provide life and disability coverage. These plans add extra protection and financial security for individuals and families.
Why should I choose you instead of going directly to an insurance company?
When you work with Insurance Pros, you get guidance from an independent team that compares multiple insurance companies for you. We focus on what is best for your situation, not what benefits a single carrier. Our goal is to find the best mix of cost, coverage, and support for every client.
We offer a full range of insurance options for individuals, families, and businesses. This includes health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, as well as employer group benefit plans designed for small and mid-sized companies.
Do you work for a specific insurance carrier or for me?
We work for you. We are an independent agency, which means we compare plans from multiple insurance carriers to help you find the right coverage at the right price.
Can you help my small business with employee benefits?
Yes. We help small businesses set up and manage group benefit plans. We can build packages that include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage. We also help you decide what works best for your team and your budget.
How do I get health insurance for myself or my family?
You can contact Insurance Professionals at any time, and we will walk you through your best options. We compare plans, explain what each one covers, and help you enroll in the plan that fits your needs.
Do you only offer health insurance?
No. Along with health insurance, we also provide life and disability coverage. These plans add extra protection and financial security for individuals and families.
Why should I choose you instead of going directly to an insurance company?
When you work with Insurance Pros, you get guidance from an independent team that compares multiple insurance companies for you. We focus on what is best for your situation, not what benefits a single carrier. Our goal is to find the best mix of cost, coverage, and support for every client.