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About Us

Terpstra Insurance Agency, a Samuelson Partner

Terpstra Insurance Agency, located in Griffith, Indiana, has proudly served Northwest Indiana since 1984, delivering trusted and personalized insurance solutions to families, businesses, and public entities across Griffith, Highland, Munster, Crown Point, Schererville, Hammond, and surrounding communities.

Our Promise & Approach

We combine decades of local experience with a dedication to exceptional service and right-sized solutions—helping clients secure effective coverage at competitive value, while simplifying the insurance experience from quote to claim.

A Samuelson Partnership

As a Partner under the Samuelson Insurance umbrella, Terpstra aligns with Samuelson’s nearly 100-year history as a family- and veteran-owned independent agency, known for strong community roots, excellence in commercial insurance, and dedicated service to public entities across Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan.

Our Timeline

1926

Samuelson Insurance Agency is founded in Portage, IN by William Samuelson. Now, one of the region’s oldest family- and veteran-owned independent agencies.

1954

Charles Lorenz takes over
as the owner of Samuelson Insurance Agency.

1984

Terpstra Insurance Agency, Inc. is established in Griffith, IN by Dale Terpstra, building a reputation for service, trust, and broad insurance solutions.

2019

James Hazzard, great-grandson of William Samuelson, takes over as President of Samuelson Insurance Agency, Inc.

2025

Terpstra joins Samuelson as a Partner Agency, strengthening resources, markets, and expertise while maintaining its Griffith identity.

Today

Together, Terpstra and Samuelson deliver full-service insurance solutions—personal, commercial, and public entity coverage—backed by nearly a century of trust.

An Independent Advantage

We are Independent Agents in Griffith, Indiana, free to choose the best carrier for your insurance needs. We do not work for an insurance company; we work for you. We work on your side when you have a loss and follow through to see that you get fair, prompt payment and service. Terpstra Insurance Agency represents a carefully selected group of financially strong, reputable insurance companies. Therefore, we are able to offer you the best coverage at the most competitive price.

What is an Independent Insurance Agent?

When you decide to buy a car, you wouldn’t purchase the first one you see. What if one day the automobile industry decided to make only one type of car, one make and one model. You wouldn’t have a choice!

The same situation holds true for insurance. You need insurance to drive a car, to purchase a house, to protect your family’s financial future and to run a small business. But if there was only one insurance company that offered only one type of insurance, you wouldn’t have a choice. The only solution would be going to that one company.

With an independent insurance agent, you have choices. Independent agents are not tied to any one insurance company. One of the advantages of using an independent agent is that he or she works to satisfy your needs. You are using an expert for an important financial decision.

An independent agent has several companies that he or she can approach to get you the best coverage at the best price. And your independent agent will know the companies with the most efficient claims departments to recover your losses as quickly as possible.

When you buy insurance, you want an advocate who will properly assess the risks you face and give you an objective analysis of the marketplace, because it’s up to you to make the final choice.

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Customer Reviews

Great Leadership and nice remodel.

Milissa E

I switched to Terpstra Insurance in Griffith for my home and auto insurance and...

Eugene E

Exceptional service and a very prompt response / call back every time they were...

John K