Keyword
M&A
BrokerLink reveals 18-month growth target
April 16, 2024 by Jason ContantBrokerLink aspires to increase its direct premiums written (DPW) by more than $1 billion over the next year-and-a-half. In 2023, BrokerLink surpassed $3.5 billion in DPW. “Our ambition is to be $5 billion by the end of 2025,” president Joe…
Onlia acquired by PE firm focused on Canadian P&C distribution
March 26, 2024 by David GambrillSouthampton Financial Inc., a private equity firm focused on the Canadian property and casualty insurance distribution space, has agreed to acquire Onlia Insurance from Achmea and Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. Headquartered in Toronto, Onlia is a digital insurance agency that…
Two firms complete Ontario acquisitions
March 8, 2024 Philip PoradoBrokerLink announced its acquisition of Owen Sound, Ont.-based Hanbidge & Bowman Ltd. Insurance Professionals. The deal was effective Mar. 1, the company said said in a Mar. 5 press release. Hanbidge and Bowman Insurance was established in 1947 and provides…
Navacord’s first deal of the year
February 29, 2024 by Jason ContantCommercial insurance brokerage Navacord Corp. has completed its first transaction of the year with a partnership with Winnipeg-based Avant Insurance. Announced Wednesday, the deal with the personal and commercial lines brokerage was effective Feb. 1. Navacord said in a press…
Brokerage looking to expand outside home province
February 9, 2024 by Jason ContantBritish Columbia-based brokerage AMC Insurance Services Ltd. is looking to expand outside its home province, the brokerage’s vice president told Canadian Underwriter recently. “We realized in our core business strategy that if we want to continue to be a provider…
How insurtechs can stand out in a crowded P&C market
January 17, 2024 by David GambrillMarket dynamics are making it tougher for start-up insurtechs to find willing insurance company partners, and some say digital specialization is the key for insurtechs to make their way into the squeezed P&C industry. “Focus on specific differentiation,” advises Marcus…
Two brokerages, one MGU involved in recent deals
January 15, 2024 by Jason ContantEditor’s Note: This story has been corrected to clarify that Keyes Insurance was not acquired by the Canadian Broker Network but rather joined its membership. Keyes Insurance remains a fully independent brokerage solely owned by Shaun Keyes. Canadian Underwriter apologizes…
How brokerage mergers could create tax benefits
January 15, 2024 Philip PoradoTax filing season is on the horizon, which means it’s time for Canadian brokerages and insurance companies to consider how they’ll treat GST, HST or QST payments, Yakoob Vayani, a partner at KPMG in Canada in Indirect Tax, Advisory, told…
McDougall’s Drayden Insurance acquires Alberta brokerage
January 3, 2024 by Jason ContantAlberta brokerage Drayden Insurance has announced the acquisition of Darson Insurance Services in Stony Plain, Alta. Drayden Insurance is a division of Ontario brokerage McDougall Insurance, which itself is a subsidiary of Definity Financial Corporation. In October 2022, Definity increased…
Aon to acquire NFP in major brokerage merger
December 20, 2023 Philip PoradoAon expanded its worldwide property and casualty insurance market presence by today acquiring NFP — a leading middle market P&C broker, benefits consultant, wealth manager and retirement plan advisor. Aon will acquire NFP for an estimated $13.4 billion at closing.…
MGA acquires Echelon’s surety division
December 11, 2023 by Jason ContantMontreal-based managing general agency REVAU Advanced Underwriting Inc. has acquired Echelon Insurance’s surety division. “This acquisition aligns with REVAU’s focus on expanding its existing surety operations across Canada,” the MGA said in a press release Monday. “The teams’ shared values,…
Private equity firm acquires digital brokerage
December 8, 2023 by Jason ContantPrivate equity firm Southampton Financial Inc. has announced its acquisition of Ontario-based digital insurance brokerage aha insurance. Launched in 2017, Waterloo, Ont.-based aha insurance offers consumers the ability to quote, purchase and manage car and home insurance policies entirely online.…