Business Details
29 Years
experience
Your Trusted Insurance Partner in Salem, OR
Summit Group-Oregon is a full-service independent insurance agency dedicated to providing comprehensive insurance solutions tailored to the unique needs of businesses and individuals. Established in 1997, we operate with a commitment to local ownership and employ experienced staff who understand the specific challenges faced by our clients. Our independence allows us to represent over 100 insurance carriers, ensuring access to diverse coverage options that align with client goals. We prioritize personalized service, treating every client as a valued partner rather than a transactional entity. Our expertise spans commercial insurance, workers' compensation, health benefits, life insurance, and personal insurance, with specialized knowledge in agri-business and vineyard operations.We emphasize proactive risk management and creative problem-solving to help clients protect assets and reduce costs. Our team includes certified professionals with decades of combined experience in the insurance industry. We maintain long-term relationships with clients by delivering transparent advice and avoiding high-pressure sales tactics. Our physical presence in Salem, Oregon, reflects our deep roots in the community, and we actively support local initiatives. Summit Group-Oregon combines stability with innovation, ensuring clients receive both reliable service and forward-thinking insurance strategies.
Services
Business Insurance
Workers Compensation
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Personal Home & Auto Insurance
Agri-Business Insurance
Vineyard Insurance
Contracting & Bonding
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- We are locally owned and employ experienced staff familiar with Oregon's unique insurance needs.
- We represent over 100 insurance carriers to provide diverse coverage options.
- Our team includes Certified Insurance Counselors with specialized expertise in agri-business and construction.
- We offer personalized service without high-pressure sales tactics.
- We provide creative risk management solutions to reduce costs and protect assets.
Services
Business Insurance
We provide comprehensive business insurance solutions for companies of all sizes, from sole proprietors to multi-state corporations. Our services include property insurance, liability protection, and risk management strategies tailored to specific industries. Our team works directly with business owners to develop customized programs that protect assets while optimizing costs through access to 100+ insurance carriers.
Workers Compensation
Our proprietary 5-Step Program helps businesses manage workers' compensation insurance while reducing claims and premiums. We partner with major carriers to create customized solutions that comply with state regulations and minimize employer liability. Our approach includes safety training, claims management, and experience rating optimization to ensure comprehensive protection for employees and employers.
Agri-Business Insurance
We specialize in insurance solutions for agricultural operations in the Willamette Valley, including vineyards, seed cleaning facilities, and transport services. Our policies combine property and liability coverage tailored to specific farming exposures. With expertise dating back to 1984, we protect both small family farms and large-scale commercial operations through customized insurance packages.
Personal Insurance
We offer personal insurance products including home, auto, health, and life insurance for individuals and families. Our independent agency model allows comparison across multiple carriers to find competitive rates without compromising coverage quality. We focus on long-term relationships, providing ongoing policy reviews to ensure protection evolves with clients' changing needs.
Contracting & Bonding
Our construction insurance specialists address unique challenges faced by contractors, including fluctuating carrier availability and complex endorsement requirements. We provide comprehensive coverage solutions with stable carriers committed to the construction industry. Services include policy gap analysis, bonding assistance, and risk mitigation strategies tailored to general and specialty contractors of all sizes.
People
John C. Petrie
Agency Owner
Certified Insurance Counselor with 30+ years of experience in commercial and agricultural insurance. Founded the agency in 1997 after working with major carriers. Specializes in large commercial risks and vineyard insurance.
Aaron P. Smith
Agency Owner
Co-founder with expertise in employee benefits and life insurance. Former Air Force specialist with 25+ years in the insurance industry. Focuses on developing strategic carrier partnerships and client relationships.
Laura Miller
Operations Manager
Certified Insurance Service Representative managing workers' compensation and health insurance accounts. Brings 15+ years of experience in commercial insurance operations and client service coordination.
Leslie Usselman
Commercial Lines Manager
Certified Insurance Counselor leading the commercial lines department. Specializes in business insurance solutions and risk assessment for mid-sized enterprises across multiple industries sectors.
Gloria Petrie
Owner, Ascension Accounting
Certified public accountant with 35+ years of experience managing financial operations for businesses. Provides accounting services to The Summit Group and external clients through her own firm, Ascension Accounting, Inc.
Questions
What if I want to keep my current insurance company but lost my agent?
As an independent agency with evolving carrier partnerships, we likely represent your current provider. If not, we'll help you evaluate alternatives while maintaining your preferred coverage.
Can you help Oregon residents find regional insurance options?
Yes, we specialize in connecting Oregonians with local carriers like Oregon Mutual and Sublimity Insurance Company, recently helping clients save hundreds annually on combined policies.
How do you support business owners with multiple insurance needs?
We provide comprehensive coverage for business insurance, workers' compensation, group benefits, and bonds through our carrier network, allowing you to manage all policies from one trusted source.
How are your services different from traditional insurance agencies?
We prioritize consultation over sales, offering free no-pressure consultations with personalized attention from our experienced team. We'll advise if you already have better coverage elsewhere.
Do you offer specialized insurance for agricultural businesses?
Yes, we provide tailored insurance programs for Willamette Valley farmers and vineyards since 1984, including property, liability, and operational coverage for both small family farms and large-scale agri-businesses.
