Welcome to our “What’s New" section.  We will be updating this section regularly with news from within our company and the insurance industry.  Feel free to visit regularly! The Broker Advantage Why is it a wise decision to use the services of an independent insurance broker?  Working with and independent broker offers many advantages. With A Broker, Your Needs Take Priority Agents are authorized to sell only the products of the companies they work for. An independent broker, on the other hand, maintains relationships with several insurance companies. He or she will carefully assess your insurance needs, then search for the product that best meets your requirements. If your circumstances demand it, your broker will negotiate a tailor-made policy for you.   Your broker will make every effort to ensure you receive the most extensive coverage possible for the price paid. In fact, the Insurance Bureau of Ontario (IBAO) member brokers are bound by IBAO's Code of Ethics to obtain the best possible coverage for their clients.  Simply put, working with a broker allows you to purchase customized insurance that would be impossible to access on your own, or to comparison shop for the product that gives you the best possible coverage.     Brokers Are Experienced in Assisting You, Should a Loss Occur Independent brokers pride themselves on offering personalized, caring service to their clients. They understand the confusion and stress felt when a loss occurs. They will help guide you through the claims process.  If you ask your broker for help, you can rest assured that you won't reach one stranger after another at a call centre. Instead, you will be supported through a stressful period by your broker and his or her knowledgeable staff, individuals who have taken the time to build trust in their business relationships with you. Brokers Are Highly Skilled Professionals Licensed brokers must demonstrate a full complement of technical and personal skills as mandated by the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO). Established by the Ontario government in 1981, RIBO is a self-governing body that regulates the licensing, professional competence, ethical conduct, and insurance-related financial obligations of all general insurance brokers in Ontario.  To remain licensed, a broker must meet RIBO requirements in daily practice and obtain additional education credits annually. IBAO offers all the programs necessary for brokers to meet those standards.  When you deal with a broker, you deal with a skilled, highly educated professional whose knowledge of the insurance field is comprehensive and current. Brokers Protect your Privacy Both the ethical code of conduct and laws under which licensed brokers operate stipulate that they are obligated to uphold your privacy. When you work with an independent broker, confidentiality is guaranteed. Identifying an IBAO Broker To ensure your broker maintains the highest standards of professional competence and conduct, just look for our symbol. IBAO members are proud to be included amongst the brokers allowed to use this symbol. It is a registered trademark of the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC). (All independent insurance brokers in Canada who are members of their provincial brokers association are IBAC members as well.) Whenever you see this symbol, rest assured you are receiving advise from a trained professional committed to providing the following services:  - Unbiased advise  - A choice of products  - Advocacy on your behalf with insurance companies  - Personalized assistance whenever needed Remember, "Your Best Insurance Is An Insurance Broker".     Privacy Policy     Disclosure