Origins in Ash and Ambition
Two centuries ago, fire was a constant threat to growing Canadian towns. That’s when Halifax’s merchants banded together, not just to rebuild after the flames, but to preempt them. Over the decades, this local mutual would evolve into a national force. By the 1950s, the Dutch insurer Nationale-Nederlanden saw promise in Canada’s expanding insurance landscape and bought in, spurred by waves of Dutch immigration and transatlantic optimism.
The acquisition streak began modestly. Quebec’s Commerce Group and Belair, Alberta’s Western Union—all absorbed under the wing of what would become ING Canada in 1993, thanks to the Dutch parent’s merger into ING Group. By then, ING Canada wasn’t just a national player; it was the quiet powerhouse threading itself through homes, businesses, and lives across the country.
The Breakaway Moment
But in 2009, everything changed. As ING Group shed assets during the global financial crisis, its Canadian offspring broke free. Renamed Intact Financial Corporation, it didn't flinch—instead, it accelerated.
The newly independent Intact wasted no time. In 2011, it devoured AXA Canada for $2.6 billion. In 2012, it swallowed JEVCO Insurance. Newfoundland’s Metro General joined the family in 2014, and Canadian Direct Insurance closed the loop in 2015, giving Intact a coast-to-coast footprint in both broker and direct-to-consumer channels.
Thinking Bigger: Beyond Borders and Basics
The insurance industry is often averse to risk. Intact is not. In 2017, it made its boldest move yet—acquiring the U.S. specialty insurer OneBeacon for $2.3 billion. Now it wasn’t just guarding Canadian homes—it was underwriting America’s complex, niche sectors too.
Then came the moonshot: RSA Insurance Group, a British titan. Partnering with Denmark’s Tryg A/S, Intact seized RSA’s Canadian, UK, and international arms in a transatlantic chess move worth £7.2 billion. The deal, finalized in 2021, didn’t just crown Intact as Canada’s top dog—it marked its entry into the global elite.
Smart Bets on the Future
Intact isn’t just buying growth—it’s insuring tomorrow. In 2018, it took a $3 million bet on autonomous vehicle startup Voyage, signaling that the future of driving—and underwriting—was software-defined. Its acquisition of On Side Restoration that same year showcased a vertical leap, integrating emergency response with long-term protection.
Culture, Clarity, and Continuity
Under CEO Charles Brindamour, Intact has played the long game. He’s steered the firm with a mix of actuarial discipline and entrepreneurial swagger, preserving a culture that blends old-school prudence with modern agility. Whether it’s through Belairdirect’s slick digital platform or Intact Public Entities’ tailored municipal coverages, the company has never lost sight of its true north: protecting people when it matters most.
Intact Financial isn’t just an insurer. It’s an institution built to thrive in volatility, a company that evolved from firefighting to future-proofing. In a business of risk, Intact has become Canada’s safest bet.