Corporate Overview
Today, trading under the name Horizon Insurance, we have 17 offices throughout Manitoba, 2 in Nunavut and 1 in Northwest Territories (trading under the name Nunavut Insurance). Under the strategic leadership of Horizon’s Management Team, along with the all-star team of insurance specialists we’ve assembled, our diverse customer base now includes 3,000 businesses, 750 farms, 20,000 homeowners and more than 70,000 Auto insurance clients.
Looking forward, we plan to continue expanding. In an industry like insurance where you’re helping protect the things that people hold most dear, when you’re good at it you feel especially compelled to bring your service to as many people as possible.
Personal Insurance Division
The Personal Insurance Operations of Horizon Insurance provides personal property and liability insurance solutions (home, auto, life & benefits, travel, and private client services) to Manitobans out of 17 offices in Winnipeg, Brandon, Portage la Prairie, Anola, Whitemouth, Lac Du Bonnet and Pinawa. Each office offers a wide range of products and services. Six of our Winnipeg offices remain branded as Ryan Gateway Insurance, so that they’ll continue to be associated with the unique home insurance product that they designed.
Commercial Insurance Division
Individually and collectively, Horizon’s Commercial Division team has years of insurance experience and knowledge under their belt. This includes a proven ability to settle claims to the client’s permanent, everlasting satisfaction. Working together with Horizon's company partners they craft insurance and risk management programs that are suited to each distinct business client.
Life Insurance Division
Brokerages typically shy away from Life Insurance. At Horizon, there’s no shying. It’s just not our style. So in 2008 we expanded our offering into this area of the insurance industry. Why? So we could address our clients’ gaps in coverage wherever we saw them, of course. Horizon's specialists focus on three areas: Life Insurance, Employee Benefits and Corporate Insurance.
Private Client Services
Leipsic Private Risk Management is the Private Client Services Division of Horizon Insurance. Leipsic designs, implements, and manages personal property and personal liability insurance portfolios that address the unique needs of affluent clients, thereby protecting the assets on their personal balance sheet. (And yes, we realize this might just be the most complicated service description in insurance history.)
A wholly owned subsidiary of Horizon Insurance. Created in 2007, Leipsic now markets its wealth preservation advice nationwide, and has become a trusted name in Canadian insurance solutions for affluent individuals and families.
Nunavut Insurance Brokers Ltd
In 2002, Kitikmeot Corporation, Nunasi Corporation, Sakku Investments Corporation, and Horizon Insurance joined forces to form Canada’s only majority Inuit-owned insurance brokerage. Its objective is to provide Northern Canada with the same kind of insurance products and services offered in Southern Canada, while creating northern employment opportunities and financial returns for its shareholders. With offices in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, Yellowknife and Winnipeg, Nunavut Insurance provides home, auto, commercial, and life insurance, bonding, and group benefits in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
History
1904 to 1905
Both Ryan Agency and Aronovitch Agency are established. Begrudging mutual respect is exchanged.
1911
Louis Leipsic joins his brother-in-law to create Aronovitch & Leipsic. Moratorium placed on in-law jokes during office hours.
1914 to 1921
A&L becomes the Winnipeg general agent for Great West Life Assurance. Caring about insurance begins paying serious dividends.
1931
Louis secures a $100,000 loan from Sam Bronfman allowing A & L to continue operating. Every year onward, Bronfman family receives one heck of a nifty Holiday card.
1939 to 1945
The 2nd generation Sylvan & Barry leave to join the war effort. Families add “War Heroes” to list of accolades.
1960s
The 3rd generation Michael and Peter Leipsic join A&L. Each tries to claim credit for recruiting the other.
1980
A&L separates. Kind of like Zeppelin except without the tragedy. Michael & Peter form Leipsic Insurance.
1997-2001
Acquisitions begin throughout Manitoba. Agencies with funny names are targeted first.
2002
Nunavut Insurance opens for business in Rankin Inlet. Winnipeg seems balmy by comparison.
2003
The company rebrands under the name Horizon Insurance and continues to acquire new offices. Staff members repeatedly suggest that the Caribbean be incorporated into expansion planning and volunteer to participate in fact-finding missions.
2007
Leipsic Private Risk Management (Leipsic) is created to focus on delivering private clients service. Individuals in Manitoba with high value assets feel wave of enlightenment regarding previously unseen financial risks.
2008-2009
Stewart-Greenslade and Ryan Gateway merge with Horizon. Like Lebron, Dwayne and Chris except without the egos.
2010
Management restructures for continued growth, completes strategic plan, begins consolidating brands, and sets its sights on delivering insurance advice to customers beyond the Manitoba and Northern Canadian borders. Entire organization continues reaping the rewards of caring about insurance.
People
Management Team
|
Brent Gilbert, BEd, CCIB, CSP |
Keith Jordan, CA |
Wendy Harrison, B.Comm, CA |
|
Tony Cesario, CAIB, AIPC |
Ryan Matthews |
Robin Steel, CPM, CHRP |
|
Kevin Solomon, B.Comm, CAIB, CPIB |
Colin Matychuk, B.Comm, CAIB, CPIB, CRM |
Board Of Directors
|
Michael Leipsic, CCIB |
Peter Leipsic |
Keith Jordan, CA |
|
Brent Gilbert, BEd, CCIB, CSP |
Insurance Philosophy/Approach
Innovation. One of the most rewarding results of caring about insurance. Take our approach to Product Development, for example: a dedicated insurance placement team whose sole focus is to bring together the ideal combination of insurance products to create a tailored insurance portfolio for each customer's specific situation.
Then, of course, there’s Horizon's collaborative approach to Integrated Risk Management: a proprietary process of uncovering and addressing previously unnoticed yet critical gaps in the customer’s insurance protection. We apply it to each new customer we meet with, and in a nutshell here are the steps involved:
- Risk Identification: Customer and advisor embark on a rigorous needs analysis process to identify potential property and liability risks..
- Risk Management & Transfer: Once critical risks have been identified, Horizon works with the customer to determine which risks they can afford to manage on their own, and which risks should be transferred to an insurer.
- Insurer Selection & Coverage Design: Horizon matches the customer's Risk Transfer Requirements, with specific insurers experienced in the types of risks that the customer presents. We also specify the terms and conditions the insurer must provide.
- Customer Proposal: Once the best possible combination of coverage, price, and service have been collected from the various insurers' responses, Horizon creates a proposal for the customer outlining the optimal coverage recommendations.
- Implementation & Management of Insurance Portfolio: Upon customer approval, the Horizon Advisor Team implements and manages the customer's insurance portfolio on ongoing basis.
Of course, this is all before we even get into the level of expertise that we believe should be inherent in assisting a customer when they have a claim. This is why we have our own in-house Claims Care department — even though the insurance providers we work with already have their own claims departments and adjusters. We feel it’s very important to advocate for Horizon's customers to insurers, ensuring that claims are settled quickly and fairly.
Mission, Vision, Values
- Ensure that every decision we make is in the best interest of our clients.
- Establish valued and long-term relationships.
- Provide well-researched, independent advice.
- Find the right solution for every client.
- Advocate for our clients in the event of a claim.
- Protect client privacy and confidentiality without compromise.
- Provide complete transparency at all times.
- Define our conduct by teamwork and respect.
- Empower our people and partners to enhance client value.
