Atlantic Canada brokerage Archway acquires Halifax’s Basin Insurance

Archway Insurance, one of Atlantic Canada’s largest independently-owned insurance brokerages, announced Wednesday it has acquired Halifax’s Basin Insurance, effective Jan. 1, 2014.

“Basin is a great addition to Archway Insurance,” Archway vice president Michael Stack commented in the announcement. “The management and employees have done a wonderful job of caring for clients and growing this metro office over the past five and half decades.”

Management will change hands in the new year, but it will be “business as usual” for employees and clients at Basin Insurance, Amherst, NS-based Archway said. The firm also noted it will keep the Bedford Highway location in place.

“The aspect of this new partnership which I find most reassuring is that Basin’s family of customers will continue to be serviced by an independently owned, local insurance brokerage,” Basin president Robert Knapp commented in the statement.

“In fact, our customers will be able to access an even wider selection of rates and services through Archway’s expanded network, which includes most of Canada’s leading insurers. Archway’s business philosophy and emphasis on customer service are a marvelous fit to what Basin’s customers have come to expect.” 

The deal brings Archways total number of locations to 10, ranging from Yarmouth, NS to Miramichi, NB.  Over the past decade, Archway has purchased 16 brokerages across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Basin president Robert Knapp and his wife Lynn will stay on temporarily to assist with the management transition, and hiring of new staff to fill the gaps they will leave, according to the statement. Long-time Basin staff member Glenn Blowe will step into the role of office manager, while all other staff will continue in their roles.

Founded in 1960, Basin Insurance provides a full range of insurance coverage for auto insurance, homeowners and small business insurance, as well as large multi-peril commercial and marine insurance products.