Our Story
Since 1986, Kern Island Insurance has been family-owned, locally rooted, and fiercely committed to doing things differently.
Led by father and son team Steve and Patrick Snitchler, we’ve grown from a small agency with big ideas into a trusted advisor for employers across California and beyond.
We consult on:
- Innovative employee healthcare & benefits
- Self-funded health plans
- Captive strategies
We’re proud to serve major, national employers—yet still small enough to hand-deliver homemade cookies to our commercial clients every Christmas. (Read about the tradition here.)
Who We Serve
Headquartered in Bakersfield, California, we work with employers, trade unions, and other plan sponsors across a wide range of industries:
- Energy
- Agriculture
- Healthcare
- Technology
- Government
- Construction
Our mission is to help businesses build cost-effective, competitive benefit programs that attract and retain top talent.
Full-Service. Forward-Thinking.
In 2023, we launched our Property & Casualty Division, expanding our capabilities to include:
- Workers Compensation
- All lines of commercial insurance
We’ve poured our deep knowledge of reinsurance and risk management into this space, with a focus on captive solutions and proactive cost containment.
At Kern Island Insurance, we’re more than brokers—we’re long-term partners, committed to delivering smart solutions and exceptional service rooted in family values.
Executive Team
Steve Snitchler – President
Steve grew up in Houston, Texas during the space race and graduated from the UT Austin in 1977. He worked in a diverse range of industries from construction to energy before founding Kern Island Insurance in 1986. Under his leadership, the agency grew to being central California’s trusted source for self-funded insurance.
In his spare time, Steve enjoys cycling, volunteering with his Kiwanas club, and playing bass guitar.
Patrick Snitchler – Vice President
Patrick is a native of Bakersfield, California. He holds bachelors degrees in Accounting and Theatre from California Baptist University. Before joining Kern Island Insurance, he worked in accounting and business management. He is a member of CIPA (California Independent Petroleum Association), Bakersfield East Rotary Club, and is one of the legislative chairs under CAHIP (California Agents and Health Insurance Professionals).
In his spare time, Patrick enjoys cycling, hiking, and singing tenor in the choir, The Bonner Singers.
