The right insurance doesn’t simply boil down to price.
Most clients are concerned with how much a particular kind of insurance costs and if they are covered should a specific event occur, but there are additional factors to take into consideration that are just as important.
It’s actually your insurance advisor who matters most, says Ryan Bentley, President and CEO of Northern Insurance Brokers.
Clients should work with an advisor who understands:
- The area you live in/do business
- The unique risks you may face
- How to reduce risks and bring down insurance costs, saving you money
- How to protect your belongings and your way of life through the proper insurance policies and risk management
They should also:
- Be able to meet in person if needed
- Communicate with you effectively, however you prefer
- Have access to many insurance companies, providing you with options for your protection
Getting well-rounded, professional advice is essential. Clients need someone who understands their unique situation and needs, and who can advise them on how to best manage their risk and costs. The insurance advisor they choose should work with them on a plan to properly protect them, provide service to make things easier, and work together to lower costs.
In recent years, the Canadian insurance brokerage industry has seen a lot of change. There has been a dramatic shift from independent, family-run offices to local brokerages being acquired by large corporations and multinational firms. The focus has shifted too, with short-term corporate profits the now primary concern for many brokerages.
When brokerages are acquired, decisions that were once made locally are now made at distant head offices, sometimes outside of the country. Community support gives way to profit maximization—which usually results in service reductions, call centre outsourcing, and a disconnect between brokers and clients.
“Most insurance brokers are now based out of town, out of province, or out of country, and they don’t have as much of a focus on (or knowledge of) what makes Northern Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie, and our people unique. As a business in Northern Ontario, our strategy and decisions are focused on delivering value to clients right here in Northern Ontario,” says Bentley.
There are unique insurance needs in Northern Ontario, which is shaped by industries like forestry, mining, construction, and manufacturing. Even the recreational activities are specific to the area, with many snowmobiling and boating enthusiasts. Policies that protect your property often require specialized coverage for camps, wood stoves, and saunas. Advisors who do not live here may not understand these regional needs and may not only provide impersonal service but inadequate protection as well.
Northern Insurance Brokers has been providing personal insurance, car insurance, business insurance, health insurance, and travel insurance solutions in the Algoma District since 1941.
His brokerage has gone in a different direction than many of the competitors, deciding to continue to invest in local Risk Advisors, preserve their values, and focus on serving the community. Rather than sell to a multinational firm, Northern Insurance Brokers partnered with Navacord, one of Canada’s largest multi-line brokerages. The result? It’s the best of both worlds, allowing the company to maintain local decision-making while benefiting from national-scale resources.
“Our brokers are experienced, local experts—knowledgeable in what makes life in Northern Ontario different and how it impacts our clients’ insurance needs. All our staff are local, including our Management and Executive Team, and all decisions are made locally with our clients and the community’s best interests in mind,” he says.
The “where” is really important: service should be local and accessible, with offices and brokers living in Northern Ontario, so they understand where clients live, operate their businesses, and what they are insuring.
Clients also want guidance they can trust on the claims and settlement processes, especially when it comes to navigating the differences here in Northern Ontario. The goal is to feel confident that your belongings, businesses, and well-being are protected.
“We have options and scale in the insurance marketplace, allowing our clients access to competitive products,” says the CEO, whose brokerage works with over 350 insurers.
The company gives back because they care about the communities they live in, and have a unique understanding of the risks and how to address them. Northern Insurance Brokers recently donated towards the Sault Area Hospital Foundation and the Sault Cycling Club’s Farmer Lake Loop campaign, and they also have a refer-a-friend campaign with donations made to local charities if clients refer friends or family to NIB.
They also contribute to a number of fundraisers and events throughout the year, including:
- ARCH
- Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce (including recent International Women’s Day Events)
- Sault College Annual Scholarship
- St Vincent Place (Coldest Night of the Year)
- CTV Coats for Kids
- Crimestoppers
- National Denim Day for Breast Cancer Research
- Thessalon and Batchewana First Nations Pow Wows
- United Steelworkers Union
- Sault Ste Marie Construction Association
- The Kensington Conservancy
- Sault Ste Marie Soup Kitchen
- Joyful Socks
- Sault Women’s Hockey League Sponsorship
- Go North Music Festival
- Salty Marie Trails Festival
- SkiAbility Algoma
- Indspire
- Andy Buffone Memorial Golf Tournament
- Rotary Club of Sault Ste Marie
- Sault Ste Marie Fire Services
- Millworks Centre for Entrepreneurship
- St Joseph Island Hunters & Anglers
Northern Insurance Brokers want to see residents and businesses thrive across Northern Ontario for generations to come. Learn more in this blog post about navigating the changing insurance brokerage landscape.
Consider where your insurance broker is based and how they invest in the communities they serve.
Reach out to Northern Insurance Brokers by email or call the Sault Ste. Marie office at 705-949-6555.
Follow the company on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram @northerninsbrokers.