As president of KBD, Curtis aims to simplify insurance for his clients. He’s helped lead KBD to become one of Canada’s fastest 400 growing companies according to the Globe & Mail.
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Looking for the best insurance brokers in Ottawa? Us too. So, we decided to host a little competition. In this post, we’ve rounded up the top ranking home, car and business insurance brokers in Ottawa so that you can find the one that best suits you. And we’ve included our own score to boot!
KBD is the newbie on the block among Ottawa insurance brokers, and we’re coming up on our one year anniversary in the Ontario market.
So, in true KBD fashion, we’re hosting a friendly ranking of Ottawa’s best insurance brokers.
After all, who doesn’t like a little competition?
If you’re looking for a quick answer, here are the top three brokers in Ottawa, based on Google reviews.
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Broker’s Choice
![KBD Insurance]()
KBD Insurance
Your Ottawa home, car & business insurance broker with 40+ years of experience.
Home, car & business insurance
Very high customer satisfaction
Average 4.9 stars on Google
Personalized insurance
Market expertise
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Silver
![Tanner Insurance]()
Tanner Insurance
Tanner Insurance is a family-founded broker that started in 1922.
Home, car & business insurance
Very high customer satisfaction
Average 4.9 stars on Google
Most Google reviews in Ottawa
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Bronze
![Halpenny Insurance]()
Halpenny Insurance
Halpenny Insurance Brokers offers business, car and home insurance.
Home, car and business insurance
Very high customer satisfaction
Average 4.9 stars on Google
In case we haven’t met, KBD Insurance is a home, car and business insurance broker that has been operating in Montreal for 40+ years. We just opened an office in Ottawa in 2022, and now serve Ontario province-wide.
So, to evaluate our first year as an Ontario insurance broker, we’re comparing our rankings to see how we hold up against Ottawa insurance broker mainstays.
Without further ado, let’s get into the rankings.
PS: If you just want a quick home, car or business insurance quote, we can help with that too.
Just give our Ottawa insurance brokers a call.
They’ll be happy to help.
Or keep scrolling to get to the ratings.
Jump ahead here to get to the good stuff:
- How to qualify on this list of best Ottawa insurance brokers
- The best Ottawa insurance brokers (& their rankings)
- How to choose the best Ottawa insurance broker for you
How to qualify for the best Ottawa insurance brokers list
Before we dive into the best Ottawa insurance brokers of 2023, we will explain our ranking system.
As usual, like in our round-ups of the best home & car insurance companies in Ontario & Quebec, the clients will decide on the winner.
So, how are we doing this?
Well, as we all know – customer reviews can be brutal.
So, what better (and unbiased) way to get an accurate picture of each Ottawa-based insurance broker’s client experience than by checking their Google Reviews?
And of course, in the spirit of fair competition, we’ll unveil KBD’s reviews as well.
In order to qualify for this list of Ottawa’s best insurance brokers, each broker had to meet the following criteria:
- They must be an insurance broker (not an agency, or a direct insurance company)
- They must offer home, car & business insurance like KBD (to compare apples to apples!)
- They must have a physical location in the city of Ottawa
- They must have a Google My Business account with reviews
- We did not include brokerages with less than 5 Google reviews
It’s not a perfect system – but it gives you a pretty good idea of how each broker stacks up so that you can find the best one for your insurance needs.
PS: Did we miss you? If you’re an Ottawa-based insurance broker that meets these criteria and you want to be included in the rankings, send us a quick email!
We’re not ones to shy away from a little competition.
Now, let’s get into the list.
The top 17 best insurance brokers in Ottawa (home, car & business insurance providers)
The businesses with the highest ratings and the most reviews took the top spots.
Likewise, if there were more ratings, and a lower score, the businesses were knocked down a few positions.
Now, here are the top brokers in Ottawa.
1. Tanner Insurance – 4.9 stars
With 4.9 stars and 423 Google reviews, Tanner Insurance takes the top spot on this list of the best insurance brokers in Ottawa.
According to their website, Tanner Insurance is a family-founded broker that started in 1922.
They offer home, commercial and car insurance to Ottawa residents and businesses throughout Ontario.
Tanner Insurance also offers boat and cottage insurance, among other services.
Address: 200-2435 Holly Lane, Ottawa, ON
2. Halpenny Insurance Brokers Ltd. – 4.9 stars
Halpenny Insurance Brokers offers business, car and home insurance to the city of Ottawa.
Halpenny has 4.9 Stars and 344 Google reviews, which makes them the runner-up and one of the highest rated insurance brokers in Ottawa.
Address: 1550a Laperriere Ave #104, Ottawa, ON
3. Rhodes & Williams Insurance Brokers – 4.8 stars
According to their website, Rhodes & Williams was founded in 1935, and is one of the largest insurance brokers in Ontario.
They offer home, car and commercial insurance, as well as group insurance and recreational insurance. They also have an office in Toronto.
Their Google rankings come in at a cool 4.8 stars with 289 reviews at their Ottawa office, which indicates pretty consistent quality service.
Address: 1050 Morrison Dr, Ottawa, Ontario
4. KBD Insurance – 4.9 stars
That’s us!
Like we mentioned above, KBD Insurance is a home, auto and business insurance broker.
We’ve served the province of Quebec for 40+ years, and recently expanded to Ontario where we strive to provide a 5-star service every time you call.
So far, we’re pretty close, with an average of 4.9 stars from 55 Google reviews, and we plan to keep up the momentum.
We’re placing ourselves a bit lower on the list for now – while we gain more client feedback and reviews.
You can find our office in downtown Ottawa.
Address: 440 Laurier Ave W #200, Ottawa, ON
Need a quote?
We can get your Ottawa home, car or business insured.
5. Scrivens Insurance and Investment Solutions – 4.8 stars
Scrivens Insurance and Investment Solutions are third generation brokers, and have been established in Ontario for 90+ years.
These Ottawa insurance brokers offer home, business and auto insurance, as well as life insurance and other services.
The Scrivens Insurance Ottawa office has 79 Google Reviews, and a rating of 4.8 stars.
Address: 270 MacLaren St, Ottawa, ON
6. Kyle Davis: Reliable Insurance Brokers – 5 stars
Reliable Insurance Brokers offers home, auto, and business insurance.
Kyle Davis’ office is Ottawa-based, and has a 5-star rating, with 22 Google reviews.
This is a pretty promising start, but with only 22 reviews, we will wait to see how they move up on this list as they gain more reviews.
Address: 200 Lett St #1001, Ottawa, ON
7. Rowat Insurance Brokers – Ottawa West – 4.8 stars
Rowat Insurance Brokers has been around since 1955, and offers home, auto and business insurance in Quebec and Ontario.
In addition to this, they also offer life, travel and health insurance.
Their Google page only has 9 reviews, but with an average of 4.8 stars, it’s a decent start.
We will wait to see more reviews before moving them up in the rankings.
Address: 115-1433 Wellington St. W, Ottawa, ON
8. McDougall Insurance & Financial – Ottawa – 4.7 stars
McDougall Insurance has a 75+ year history of serving an Ontario clientele.
According to their website, they are Eastern Ontario’s largest insurance brokerage.
They offer home, car and business insurance, and have a location in Ottawa, as well as offices throughout the rest of the province.
Their Ottawa location only has 17 reviews, but with 4.7 stars it’s not a bad start.
Address: 854 Bank St Suite 200 B, Ottawa, ON K1S 3W3
9. Smith & Reid Insurance – 4.6 stars
Smith & Reid Insurance is an Ottawa-based insurance broker offering home, auto, and commercial insurance.
Their Ottawa Google account has 4.6 Stars, with 9 reviews.
We will keep an eye on Smith & Reid as they gain more reviews.
Address: 835 Carling Ave Suite 100, Ottawa, ON
10. Whitley Newman Insurance and Financial Services – 4.4 stars
Whitley Newman is an Ottawa insurance broker that was established over 60 years ago. They offer home, car and business insurance, as well as health, life, and other coverages.
With only 17 Google reviews, it’s safe to say their client-base isn’t spending a lot of time on Google. However, they do have 4.4 stars – which is a pretty solid ranking.
Address: 1730 St. Laurent Blvd Suite # 800, Ottawa, ON
11. Acera Insurance – 4.3 stars
(formerly: Smith Petrie Carr & Scott Insurance Brokers Ltd.)
Acera Insurance has been around since 1969, and offers home, car and business insurance to Ottawa residents.
They also offer group and life insurance.
With 156 Google reviews, they have a solid rating of 4.3 stars.
Address: 100 Gloucester St suite 476, Ottawa, ON
12. Oegema Nicholson & Associates – 4 stars
Oegema Nicholson & Associates is an Ottawa-based insurance broker offering home, car and business insurance.
This broker has several locations around Ottawa, and also offers farm and life insurance.
This brokerage has been around for 50+ years, but their Google presence is just getting started with 58 reviews and 4.0 stars.
Time will tell if they move up in the rankings over the next year, but with long-standing roots in the Ottawa area, they may rely more on word of mouth.
Address: 1451 Woodroffe Ave, Nepean, ON
13. All-Risks Insurance Brokers Limited – 4 stars
All-Risks Insurance Brokers offer home, auto and business insurance in Ottawa and Ontario.
They also provide travel and life insurance, and have two locations in Ottawa.
For the purposes of this post, we’re including the location that has more reviews.
The most-rated location has only 19 Google reviews, and 4.0 stars.
Address: 880 Taylor Creek Dr #123B, Orléans, ON
14. Trigon Insurance Brokers Ltd. – 3.9 stars
Trigon Insurance Brokers was founded in 1985, and offers home, auto, and business insurance services in Ottawa.
They offer group insurance and special event insurance as well.
Their head office is in Ottawa on Kaladar Avenue, and has a 3.9 star Google rating, with 48 reviews.
Address: 2412 Kaladar Ave, Ottawa, ON
15. Gifford Carr Insurance Group – 3.9 stars
Gifford Carr is the result of a 2016 merger between two local Ottawa insurance brokerages, and has a 70+ company history.
They offer a large range of insurance coverages, along with home, car and business insurance.
Their Ottawa location has 3.9 stars, and 15 Google reviews.
We will wait and see how their rankings improve with more client testimonials.
Address: 2781 Lancaster Rd Unit 201, Ottawa, ON
16. Orbit Insurance Services – 3.8
(formerly: AGR Insurance Brokers)
AGR Insurance Brokers, now called Orbit Insurance Services, has been around since 1964.
They offer home, car and business insurance, as well as motorcycle, health and travel insurance.
Orbit Insurance’s Ottawa office has 74 Google reviews and a 3.8 star rating at the time of these rankings.
Address: 1400 St. Laurent Blvd, Ottawa, ON
17. Craig Hamilton Insurance Brokers – 3.7 stars
Craig Hamilton Insurance Brokers has 25+ years of experience offering insurance services to businesses and individuals in Ottawa.
They provide home, car, and auto insurance, and also insure recreational vehicles and boats.
This broker currently has a 3.7 star Google rating, and only 12 reviews.
We’ll see how their rankings increase as they get more customer reviews.
Address: 1673 Carling Ave, Ottawa, ON
The best insurance brokers in Ottawa – At a glance
With an average ranking of 4.3 stars among these Ottawa insurance brokers, the competition is tight.
We tip our hats to some of the established Ottawa insurance brokers that have consistently earned 5 star testimonials, with a few hundred reviews.
Their clients are consistently happy, and it shows!
The recap the best insurance brokers in Ottawa, here are the rankings at a glance:
| 1. Tanner Insurance | 4.9 stars | 423 reviews |
| 2. Halpenny Insurance Brokers | 4.9 stars | 344 reviews |
| 3. Rhodes & Williams Insurance Brokers | 4.8 stars | 289 reviews |
| 4. KBD Insurance | 4.9 stars | 55 reviews |
| 5. Scrivens Insurance & Investment Solutions | 4.8 stars | 79 reviews |
| 6. Kyle Davis: Reliable Insurance | 5 stars | 22 reviews |
| 7. Rowat Insurance Brokers | 4.8 stars | 9 reviews |
| 8. McDougall Insurance | 4.7 stars | 17 reviews |
| 9. Smith & Reid Insurance | 4.6 stars | 9 reviews |
| 10. Whitley Newman Insurance and Financial Services | 4.4 stars | 17 reviews |
| 11. Acera Insurance | 4.3 stars | 156 reviews |
| 12. Oegema Nicholson & Associates | 4 stars | 58 reviews |
| 13. All-Risks Insurance Brokers | 4 stars | 19 reviews |
| 14. Trigon Insurance Brokers Ltd. | 3.9 stars | 48 reviews |
| 15. Gifford Carr Insurance Group | 3.9 stars | 15 reviews |
| 16. Orbit Insurance Services | 3.8 stars | 74 reviews |
| 17. Craig Hamilton Insurance Brokers | 3.7 stars | 12 reviews |
How to choose the best Ottawa insurance broker for you
Need help choosing the best Ottawa insurance broker for your needs?
Google reviews are a great place to start, because they’re a good indicator of overall customer satisfaction.
That said, insurance is a personalized service, and there are a few key factors to keep in mind when choosing the best broker for you:
- Research and evaluate their expertise: Look for brokers who specialize in the type of insurance that you require, whether it’s auto, home, or business insurance. If you’re shopping for business insurance, assess their track record in your industry.
- Check their reputation: You can ask for recommendations from friends and family, read online reviews and testimonials, and check if they are licensed and registered with the Ontario regulatory body (RIBO).
- Shop & compare options: It can pay off to take the time to gather quotes, compare coverage options, and assess the overall value that the insurance broker offers.
- Check out their customer service: Opt for a broker who is responsive, attentive, and takes the time to understand your specific insurance needs. Good communication and a willingness to address your concerns are essential.
- Consider the range of products offered: Not every broker offers every type of insurance. So make sure that the broker can provide the range of insurance options that suit your needs.
- Check the fees and commissions: You can ask how the broker is compensated and ensure their fees are transparent and reasonable. For example, at KBD we only charge a broker’s fee to commercial clients, as the files are more complex.
These are just a few ways that you can find the best Ottawa insurance broker for you.
As always, if you have any questions, give us a call.
Wrap-up
There you have it, the customers have spoken.
You now know who are the best insurance brokers in Ottawa.
And a few great providers nearly tied for the top spot.
So, if you choose to go with them, you’ll be in good hands.
BUT remember: Insurance isn’t a one-size-fits-all service.
As a final note, here are a few things to consider when shopping around for the best insurance broker in Ottawa:
- The broker’s rating
- If they offer the kind of coverage you need
- Which insurance companies in Ottawa that they work with
- If you’re happy with their style of customer service
Still have questions? Looking for an Ottawa home, car or business insurance broker?
We’ll be happy to help.
Call the team at KBD today.
PS: Check us out on social media. We’re up to some cool stuff.
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