Find Your Best Commercial Insurance Company In British Columbia
There are multiple commercial insurance companies operating in Ontario today, providing a wide array of options for businesses seeking coverage. However, having so many insurers to choose from can quickly lead to confusion, making it difficult to determine which insurer is the best fit for your needs.
To simplify the process of finding commercial insurance, we’ve compiled a list of some of Canada’s top commercial insurance providers. Use MyChoice to compare rates among these companies, allowing you to make an informed decision. Whether you’re looking for general liability coverage or more specialized policies, this guide will help you navigate your best available choices for business insurance in Ontario.
Finding the right business insurance can be overwhelming, especially with numerous options available in British Columbia. To make it easier to find the best fit for your small business’ needs, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten companies for business insurance in BC, highlighting their key features and ratings.
Compare these insurers’ rates on MyChoice to find the best fit for your business’ size and needs. Whether you’re looking for affordable basic types of business coverage or more flexible, custom policies, this guide will help you learn more about the best insurers in BC and make an informed decision.
Business Insurance Provider | Average Online Rating | Key Features |
---|---|---|
Trueshield | 4.5/5 | Customized coverage options, quick online quotes, 24/7 claims support |
Northbridge Insurance | 4.4/5 | Wide selection of insurance plans, specialized coverage for different industries, excellent client services |
BCAA | 2.9/5 | Local 24/7 emergency claims team, savings with BCAA Membership, custom coverage recommendations |
Apollo | 4.6/5 | Online purchase 24/7, proof of insurance within minutes, industry-specific coverage |
InsureBC | 3.1/5 | Specialized coverage options, over 100 physical offices, unique offerings like surety bond insurance |
Intact | 4.4/5 | Comprehensive policy selection, digital claim management system, flexible business coverage options |
Zensurance | 4.8/5 | Multiple provider comparison tool, entry-level plans from $19/month, potential savings up to 35% |
TD Insurance | 2.5/5 | Adaptable protection plans, multi-policy savings, streamlined digital enrollment |
Westland | 3.2/5 | Customized business protection, national and international market access, corporate advisory services |
Waypoint Insurance | 4.8/5 | Tailored coverage for diverse industries, strong community involvement, access to specialty programs |
Trueshield
Online Rating: 4.5/5
Key Features:
- Customized coverage options
- Quick online quotes
- 24/7 claims support
Trueshield offers insurance solutions tailored to the needs of small and mid-sized businesses, with custom coverage options. Their user-friendly platform allows business owners to get quotes quickly and efficiently. With a focus on exceptional customer service, Trueshield provides 24/7 claims support to ensure that clients can access assistance whenever they need it.
Northbridge Insurance
Online Rating: 4.4/5
Key Features:
- Wide selection of insurance plans
- Specialized coverage for different industries
- Excellent client services
Northbridge delivers a broad portfolio of business protection options. Their tailored coverage serves multiple business sectors, from consultancy firms to wholesale operations, helping organizations secure appropriate insurance protection.
The company stands out for its client-focused approach, delivering round-the-clock claims processing, flexible payment structures, legal assistance, and programs to help businesses minimize risks.
BCAA
Online Rating: 2.9/5
Key Features:
- Local 24/7 emergency claims team
- More savings with a personal BCAA Membership
- Custom coverage recommendations
Ranked the #1 Most Trusted Insurance Brand in Canada by the 2022 Gustavson Brand Trust Index, BCAA boasts a fast online quote system and customizable protection to suit your business’ particular risks. This company notably has claims-free discount offers and flexible plans for businesses in industries such as construction, real estate, and retail.
Apollo
Online Rating: 4.6/5
Key Features:
- Commercial insurance can be bought from them online 24/7
- Proof of insurance ready within minutes
- Industry-specific coverage for different businesses
Leading online insurance provider Apollo earns a spot on this list as the only place in Canada where you can fully buy insurance online, 24/7 – a big time-saver for business owners who need immediate coverage. You can pick from a wide range of business types to create an affordable custom quote on their site and receive proof of insurance in mere minutes.
InsureBC
Online Rating: 3.1/5
Key Features:
- Specialized coverage options
- Over 100 physical offices
Notable as one of BC’s largest insurance brokerages, InsureBC has over 100 provincial locations and provides a comprehensive range of business insurance products. InsureBC stands out for offering unique types of coverage that other insurers don’t typically provide, such as surety bond insurance and directors and officers liability insurance.
Intact
Online Rating: 4.4/5
Key Features:
- Comprehensive policy selection
- Digital claim management system
- Flexible business coverage options
Based in Toronto, Intact stands as a major figure in Canadian insurance. Their business coverage spans traditional commercial policies, as well as specialized offerings like vehicle fleet protection and business performance bonds. Clients benefit from continuous claims support and can manage their policies through Intact’s mobile platform and online portal.
Zensurance
Online Rating: 4.8/5
Key Features:
- Multiple provider comparison tool
- Entry-level plans from $19 monthly
Zensurance is an easy-to-use platform that streamlines business coverage selection, instantly providing quotes from multiple providers. It enables quick and simple rate comparisons, with potential cost reductions up to 35% making it popular with small and mid-size business owners.
TD Insurance
Online Rating: 2.5/5
Key Features:
- Adaptable protection plans
- Multi-policy savings
- Streamlined digital enrollment
TD’s business insurance department provides extensive commercial protection with adjustable terms. Apart from offering comprehensive coverage solutions, TD rewards customers who combine multiple policies with reduced rates. BC business owners can also quickly obtain estimates through their online platform, saving time and effort.
Westland
Online Rating: 3.2/5
Key Features:
- Customized business protection
- Broad national and international market accessibility
Westland Insurance serves BC businesses with personalized insurance solutions to suit different industries, budgets, and preferences. They distinguish themselves by offering both domestic and international market access, plus specialized business consultants who assist with assessing and minimizing risk.
Waypoint Insurance
Online Rating: 4.8/5
Key Features:
- Comprehensive coverage tailored to diverse industries
- Strong community involvement and support
- Access to a wide range of specialty programs
Waypoint is a prominent commercial insurer with over 150 years of experience, known for its extensive range of tailored coverage options catering to various business sectors. BC businesses can benefit from its access to specialty programs designed for various industries such as marine, mining, and strata insurance.
How Do You Buy Commercial Insurance in BC?
Business owners in BC can buy commercial insurance by reaching out to these different channels, each of which offers distinct pros and cons:
Insurance Aggregators
These are online platforms like MyChoice which let you compare multiple insurance quotes at once. After providing some basic information, you can get instant quotes from different providers, making it easy to find the best rates quickly.
Insurance Brokers
Unlike insurance agents, brokers work with multiple insurance companies and shop around on your behalf. Apart from comparing rates, they can also provide advice based on your industry and help you navigate complex coverage decisions.
Insurance Agents
These independent professionals work exclusively with one provider. While they only offer coverage from one company, they often have access to special discounts you can’t get elsewhere. They’re especially helpful when you want to understand one company’s policies in detail.
Direct Writers
Similar to insurance agents, these providers sell insurance from one provider directly through their websites and call centers instead of physical offices.
How Do You Make a Commercial Insurance Claim in BC?
If you need to make a commercial insurance claim in BC, follow these steps:
Inform your insurer immediately:
Contact your commercial insurer to report your claim as soon as a covered risk causes loss or damage.
Collect evidence and documents:
Gather all relevant materials that can strengthen your claim, such as photographs, purchase records, and security camera footage.
Complete your claim paperwork:
Make sure you completely and accurately fill out all the claim forms provided by your insurer, as errors can lead to delays in processing.
Monitor your claim and follow up:
Claims can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of months to process, depending on the circumstances. Monitor your claim’s progress by regularly contacting your provider for updates.
Maintain detailed records:
Keep records of all communication with your insurer for future reference.
Settlement process:
When your claim is fully processed, you will receive compensation based on your policy terms and coverage or a resolution in case of denial.
Methodology for Selecting Top Commercial Insurance Companies in BC
Our comprehensive assessment of BC’s commercial insurers incorporates several factors, such as customer satisfaction, sufficiency of coverage, and financial stability. All of these affect how happy a policyholder will be with their performance and how adequately they can meet their needs.
Here’s what we take into consideration to provide a reliable list of the best providers of commercial insurance in BC:
Customer Feedback and Testimonials
We thoroughly examine user experiences across various platforms, considering both numerical ratings and more detailed customer testimonials. Key feedback includes how well an insurer handles responses and customer interactions, as well as how smooth their resolution processes are.
Coverage Options
We evaluated the range of commercial insurance products offered by different BC providers, assessing their ability to cover different kinds of businesses. Insurers on this list provide both the most widely availed types of business insurance (e.g. general liability and commercial property insurance), as well as specialized options like cyber insurance.
Flexibility is also key – we chose commercial insurers who made it easier for applicants to customize their coverage to best suit their needs and goals.
Financial Performance
We measured each insurer’s ability to meet its obligations to its policyholders in the event of a claim. Ratings from independent agencies like A.M. Best, Standard and Poor’s, and Moody’s were assessed to evaluate continued consistency in claim payment and providing quality service.
Quality of Service
We look for companies that make it easier for people to apply for a policy, monitor their coverage, and contact representatives if they need help. To make our top 10, providers should have clear claims procedures, efficient digital policy management systems, and streamlined quote generation processes.
Providing consistent support is also a big factor when we assess the quality of service, so we look for providers that have continuous support availability and multiple communication channel options (email, phone, etc.)
Regular Assessment
Choosing and ranking the best for small business insurance in BC is a continuous process. Our rankings undergo regular review to keep this list accurate. We regularly monitor and assess BC commercial insurers, then make updates to this list based on changes like provider performance, service improvements, and coverage modifications.