History of Wawanesa Insurance

1896

Founded in Wawanesa, Manitoba Founded in Wawanesa, Manitoba

On September 25, 1896, The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, created by and for farmers, was founded by Alonzo Fowler Kempton and Charles Kerr in the town of Wawanesa, Manitoba. Two weeks later, Kerr hand wrote Policy No.1, insuring a thresher for $600 at a premium of $24 for three years.

1907

Rapid Growth in Western Canada Rapid Growth in Western Canada

Western Canadians responded enthusiastically to the company's promise of lower costs and fair dealings. The value of property insured by Wawanesa jumped to $20 million. Three years later, Wawanesa boldly claimed to be "the largest Mutual Fire Insurance Company in Canada.

1922 Charles Morley Vanstone appointed managing director View image

1926

Expanded Coverage Expanded Coverage

Wawanesa took a major step forward by offering, for the first time, coverage on private buildings in towns and cities. Two years later, diversification continued with insurance being offered on automobiles.

1929

Dominion Charter Granted Dominion Charter Granted

Wawanesa was granted a Dominion charter, allowing the company to, for the first time, offer coverage in every province in the Dominion of Canada.

1930

Toronto and Vancouver Branches Open Toronto and Vancouver Branches Open

Wawanesa Insurance opened branch offices in Toronto, Ontario and Vancouver, British Columbia. Within the next five years, branches were opened in Montréal, Winnipeg, and Moncton, giving Wawanesa coast-to-coast coverage in Canada.

1939

Second World War Second World War

Throughout the Second World War, Wawanesa was a strong backer of Victory Bonds, encouraging all Canadians to support the war effort. During both World Wars, Wawanesa's employees were committed to country and community. While many workers enlisted, female employees were excused from work to make gas masks.

1943 Harry E. Hemmons appointed managing director View image

1948 Milton Carman Holden appointed managing director View image

1953

Québec Main Office Erected Québec Main Office Erected

Twenty-two years after the first Wawanesa branch opens in Montréal, Québec's mid-century modern main office was built at the junction of Décarie Boulevard and Metropolitan Expressway. The building stood here for 45 years before being expanded in 1999 due to the company's growth.

1961

Wawanesa Life Introduced Wawanesa Life Introduced

In the spring of 1961, The Wawanesa Mutual Life Insurance Company sold its first policy. The next few years saw the steady growth both of the fledgling life insurance company and its parent general insurance company.

1971 G. Claude Trites appointed President and CEO View image

1975

Expansion into California Expansion into California

Wawanesa obtained its license to sell insurance in California — a market as large as all of Canada — and became the first Canadian general insurance company to successfully enter the United States. The San Diego office opened in April 1975. In its first month, it wrote 102 policies.

1976

Executive Office continues to grow Executive Office continues to grow

With the expansion to the United States, and continued prosperity in Canada, executive office functions required larger, modern facilities. Wawanesa moved its Winnipeg-based executive office to a newly constructed building on 191 Broadway, where it continues to stand today.

1982 Ivan M. Montgomery appointed President and CEO View image

1992 Gregg J. Hanson appointed President and CEO View image

1993

Wawanesa Life converted to wholly owned stock subsidiary Wawanesa Life converted to wholly owned stock subsidiary

The Wawanesa Mutual Life Insurance Company was converted into a wholly owned stock subsidiary of the older, general insurance company, a move which streamlined operations. The new structure clarified the relationship between the two companies, and created better mutual support.

1996

Wawanesa enters its second century Wawanesa enters its second century

Wawanesa embarked upon its second century of service, with some 1,300 employees and a time-honoured partnership with a similar number of independent brokers.

Old Pathways New Horizons published Old Pathways New Horizons published

Wawanesa published Old Pathways New Horizons, tracing the history of The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company from its inception in 1896 to 1996.

1997

2000

2007 Ken McCrea appointed President and CEO View image

2014 Jeff Goy appointed President and CEO View image

2021

Wawanesa Today Wawanesa Today

Now celebrating 125 years of service, The Wawanesa Group of Companies employs over 5,700 people in Canada and the US. With assets of over $10.5 billion and over two million policies in force, Wawanesa is one of the top 10 largest property insurers in Canada.