U.K. underwriting group buys Toronto-based insurer
June 30, 2021 by Jason ContantAccelerant Holdings has entered into the Canadian market with a share purchase agreement that includes the parent company of Toronto-based Omega General Insurance Company. Accelerant is a London, U.K.-headquartered underwriting group that works exclusively with MGAs and program administrators in…
M&A growth sets Navacord on course for $3 billion in premium
June 10, 2021 by Jason ContantNavacord Corp. has finalized a record number of brokerage acquisitions in one month, with four deals already closed across the country in June. The latest transactions represent a total of 18 new locations and over 430 employees. More deals are…
Westland closes two new acquisitions in Canada
June 8, 2021 by Jason ContantWestland Insurance Group Ltd. has closed two new acquisitions in Saskatchewan, both in locations where the large brokerage didn’t have a presence before. The brokerage announced Monday it had closed the acquisitions of HK Insurance in Regina and Smith Agencies…
Hub makes back-to-back acquisitions of Canadian brokerages
June 4, 2021 by Jason ContantHub International has made its second brokerage acquisition in two days with the purchase of a family-owned firm in Nova Scotia. Hub announced on Friday that it had acquired Sackville, N.S.-based Salvatore Insurance Brokers Ltd., which provides commercial insurance to…
Mutual insurer group expands with addition of Ontario brokerage
May 5, 2021 by Jason ContantCollectivfide Insurance Group Inc. has finalized the acquisition of Barrie, Ont.-based multiline broker RK Mooney Insurance Brokers Ltd., the fourth brokerage acquisition for Collectivfide, a company formed in 2019. Collectivfide’s shareholders represent mutual insurers in Ontario and across Canada. Although…
COVID’s impact on brokerage M&A: Myth versus reality
December 10, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe onset of the COVID-19 pandemic made it difficult to raise money from major banks to finance mergers and acquisitions, but well-run brokerages will still be attractive to buyers, suggests an expert in brokerage valuation. “When COVID hit, the banks…
How Aon and Willis are progressing on proposed merger
August 4, 2020 by Greg MeckbachThe acquisition of Willis Towers Watson plc by Aon plc is on track to close in less than a year as Aon officials don’t seem concerned the deal will be blocked by competition regulators. “We are exactly on track with…
SPECS acquired by New York consulting firm
September 17, 2019 by Greg MeckbachSpecialized Property Evaluation Control Services, better known as SPECS, has been acquired by J.S. Held LLC, an American consulting firm, the companies announced Tuesday. SPECS, based in Langley, B.C., does property damage assessments, restoration consulting, construction project administration, risk management,…
Jardine Lloyd Thompson acquired by Marsh & McLennan
April 1, 2019 by Greg MeckbachMarsh & McLennan Companies Inc.’s acquisition of London, England-based Jardine Lloyd Thompson Group plc is now complete, New York City-based Marsh & McLennan announced Monday. The deal – which could form the world’s largest commercial property and casualty brokerage –…
Hub acquires two western-Canadian brokerages
November 9, 2018 by Jason ContantGlobal insurance brokerage Hub International announced this week it has acquired the assets of two western-Canadian brokerages. Hub acquired on Wednesday the assets of Tri-Line Agencies Inc., a full-service, independent brokerage headquartered in Rose Valley, Sask. Tri-Line Agencies offers personal…
How “differentiated” technology will change M&A valuations
October 3, 2018 by Jason ContantBuyers are increasingly targeting “differentiated” technology in merger and acquisition (M&A) deals, knowing they are going to be judged on the potential of what they can achieve with the technology they are purchasing. The value of an acquisition will increasingly…
This Top 5 liability insurer is looking for firms to buy
August 15, 2018 by Greg MeckbachThe corporate parent of Canada’s fourth-largest liability insurer – American International Group Inc. – is actively looking for companies to acquire. “I always look for acquisitions,” said Brian Duppereault, CEO of New York City-based AIG, during a recent earnings call.…