One Alberta brokerage and two from Ontario join BrokerLink

One Alberta brokerage and two Ontario brokerages announced on Tuesday that they will join BrokerLink, one of the largest Canadian property and casualty insurance brokerages.

Alberta-based Full Circle Insurance Ltd. and Ontario brokerages Fairview Insurance Brokers Inc. and Steven Kaluski Insurance Brokers Ltd. announced they would join on Tuesday, BrokerLink reported in a press release.

Terms of the transactions, effective April 3, were not disclosed.

“After considering different options, the brokerages chose BrokerLink as the best fit for their businesses because of the back-office and integration support, investment into brand and technology, employee development opportunities and increased access to insurance products,” the release explained.

“It’s a big decision to sell a business; BrokerLink’s process and resources gave us peace of mind,” said Stan Humphries, president of Full Circle Insurance in Edmonton. “BrokerLink has the capacity to provide technology and administrative support. Also, their human resources, marketing and operational support allows for a smooth integration.”

BrokerLink noted that brokerages who join have access to employee development resources such as support for professional development and increased career opportunities. Added Fred De Francesco, one of the founding partners of Fairview Insurance Brokers in Mississauga, Ont.: “We know BrokerLink has the tools and resources our employees need to succeed and grow in their careers.”

For Debra Leadbetter, president of Steven Kaluski Insurance Brokers in Ottawa, BrokerLink’s scale benefits both customers and employees. “It’s a win-win situation,” she said in the release. “BrokerLink has access to a wide range of insurance products, which helps expand brokers’ customer base and their ability to offer more options to existing customers. The customer, in turn, receives the best insurance for their needs.

In addition to employee development resources, brokerages that join BrokerLink gain access to a network of professionals. Peter Weightman, president of BrokerLink, noted that they have more than 1,400 employees across Alberta, Atlantic Canada and Ontario and this network allows employees to learn from one another and share best practices. “It also allows us to stay connected with the needs of communities we serve,” Weightman said. “We welcome the employees of Full Circle Insurance Ltd., Fairview Insurance Brokers Inc. and Steven Kaluski Insurance Brokers Ltd. to the BrokerLink network and community.”

Established in 1991, the BrokerLink companies, which include Canada BrokerLink Inc., Canada BrokerLink (Ontario) Inc. and Macdonald Chisholm Incorporated, together constitute one of the largest Canadian P&C brokerage operations with over 115 offices. BrokerLink companies are subsidiaries of Intact Financial Corporation.

Full Circle Insurance has served Edmonton since 1985 and specializes in personal insurance, offering coverage for home, auto and recreation/travel. It also offers commercial insurance.

Fairview Insurance Brokers was formed in 1982 as a full service independent brokerage. It offers a wide range of products to serve the needs of drivers, homeowners, tenants and commercial customers.

Steven Kaluski Insurance Brokers has more than 50 years of experience, offering both commercial and personal insurance.