This listing of the top 10 insurance firms reflects an amalgam of our experience, relationships, and perceptions. While this isn’t a scientific group – there are many other companies worthy of recognition – it provides a clue about some of the diversity, initiative and focus within the insurance community.
We’ve included some nationally, even internationally, recognized firms, and others who have primarily taken a leadership role in their local communities. This list includes forward thinking practices which have embraced community engagement, high standards of service and delivery, and an overall commitment to protect and support the construction industry.
Quoted descriptions and remarks are generally from the company’s own websites or communications, unless otherwise noted. You can read more from Elm Insurance, Trisura, HUB and The Guarantee, in the linked stories. The other firms rounding out the top 10 have been randomized in order here, so the placement of names here should not be seen as a ranking within the top 10.
Detailed profiles
See comprehensive articles about these companies in their own features
Masters Insurance
Masters Insurance offers a range of insurance and investment services. From its start as a family business in 1966, the firm has grown to represent clients across North America and to be represented by “no less than 10 second generation family members” and four original partners. From offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, and Windsor, the company “continues to evolve and expand its product offerings in order to provide comprehensive insurance solutions for all clients, no matter their size. Masters Insurance proudly combines the hands-on, personal, family based traditions that have made it successful, with sophisticated financial products and broad base knowledge.”
Petrela, Winter & Associates
Founded in 1979, Petrela, Winter & Associates “are bond and construction insurance brokers specializing exclusively in the construction industry.” The firm maintains a “distinctive focus, providing professional bonding, insurance, and business consulting services to leading construction companies”, through its office in Toronto, and an affiliate office in Montreal.
Active across Canada, the firm serves construction contractors from “every sector of the construction industry, consisting of general contractors, trade contractors, civil contractors, and specialty contractors and manufacturers; ranging in size from small family run businesses to very large, multi-discipline contractors with offices across the country.”
AON
AON provides a range of risk, retirement and health solutions through more than 50,000 colleagues in 120 countries. The firm’s construction related solutions include performance security, commercial surety, contractor insurance and project solutions, as well as “risk and human resources solutions to general and specialty contractors, project owners, and industry stakeholders.”
AON says it is focused on knowing each client, their business, and to anticipating each client’s needs. “Together, we will develop and execute on shared objectives to achieve your desired outcomes. Backed by the full power of Aon, we will serve as your advocate and engage in open, two-way dialogue founded on feedback and trust.”
Travelers Insurance
Over its 160-year history, Travelers has grown to 20,000 independent agents and brokers globally, earning “a reputation as one of the best property casualty insurers in the industry” for its “care of our customers”.
The firm’s “expertise and focus on innovation have made us a leader in personal, business and specialty insurance and the only property casualty company in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.”
“Beyond managing claim costs, we help companies prepare for risk and recover faster after an unexpected event. Managing the total cost of risk creates a competitive advantage” helping owners protect and grow their businesses.
Bradley’s Insurance
Founded in Ottawa in 1956, Bradley’s Insurance has grown and developed strong relationships with “most of Canada’s leading surety companies, supporting its commitment to the construction community. The firm is an active member in the Ottawa Construction Association (OCA), National Capital Heavy Construction Association (NCHCA), and Landscape Ontario.
“Bradley’s provides creative solutions to the contractor’s bonding needs as they relate to bonding capacity/limits, the general terms of the bond facility (including rates and security), financial reporting, large/special projects, growth, succession planning, joint ventures, sub trade bonding, estate/family planning, and claims/disputes.”
FCA Insurance Brokers
From its beginnings in 1919 FCA Insurance Brokers has grown, evolved and flourished. The firm now operates three branches and is supported by a staff of more than 80.
Its related industry products include contract bonding, builders’ risk and wrap up liability, and surety services including bond facility review, e-bond issuance, bond claim, and surety rates and indemnity review.
The firm also “focuses on serving the needs of a wide spectrum of commercial and corporate clients, with attendant specialties in Private Client Personal Lines, and Financial, Health & Benefits Planning.”