Editor’s Note: An original version of this article incorrectly identified Western Financial Group as Westland. Canadian Underwriter apologizes for the error. Western Financial Group now operates coast to coast following its full acquisition of Huestis Insurance and Associates Ltd.…
ONE Insurance and BSI Insurance are combining to form the largest Manitoba-owned brokerage network, serving the province through 28 branches in 26 different communities. The new company would bring together two of Manitoba’s oldest insurance brokers, with a total of…
Ontario-based My Insurance Broker (MIB) has joined the Canadian Broker Network (CBN). Based in Richmond Hill, MIB offers a variety of insurance products including home (as well as cottage and condo insurance), auto (Uber insurance, online auto quotes, motorcycle and…
Private equity (PE) and insurer-backed brokerage acquisitions appear to have surged in recent years, but it’s difficult to get a true number as not all transactions are reported, business advisory and consulting firm Smythe LLP said in a new report.…
A brokerage has been added as a defendant in a sideline negligence claim, even though the central legal action for breach of contract involving two other parties (including a defendant reinsurer) has yet to be decided. Ontario’s Superior Court applied…
Ontario’s broker self-regulatory body is looking at its licensing exams with a stronger focus on commercial lines and MGAs, Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) CEO Patrick Ballantyne said last week during an industry event. “Those exams are currently under…
Westland Insurance has appointed senior industry executive Robert Beauchamp as its new vice president of Quebec operations. Beauchamp will spearhead operations and drive growth in Quebec, the brokerage said in a press release. “This appointment marks Westland’s commitment to expanding…
Investing in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives could literally spell the difference between survival and death for a brokerage, a panellist suggested Tuesday during a Canadian Underwriter webinar. Colette Taylor, chief operating officer at Sovereign Insurance, expressed concern about…
Brokerages that might not have resources to embark on large-scale diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs can start small by committing to change, a speaker said Tuesday during a Canadian Underwriter webinar. “If you’re a small brokerage, maybe don’t have…
BrokerLink still sees plenty of M&A opportunities in provinces where it currently operates and doesn’t have any immediate plans to expand into new geographic areas, the brokerage’s president told Canadian Underwriter in an interview Tuesday. BrokerLink is focusing its resources…
If you’re a fan of the Fast & Furious movie franchise, you’re probably looking forward to the 10th installment — Fast X — which opens May 19. But have you ever given much thought to how much it costs to…
McDougall Insurance’s recent merger with McFarlan Rowlands shows the broker distribution network continues to be a healthy investment choice, Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) CEO Colin Simpson told Canadian Underwriter recently. Of course, the larger independent brokerage groups become,…