Our story dates back to 1948. Over seven decades of experience in insurance. Both founded in Ottawa, Carr & Company and Gifford and Associates merged in 2016 bringing together collective wisdom that is bar none in the industry. Our loyal base of clients speaks to the foundation of trust we’ve built over seventy (plus) years.

At Gifford Carr, we emphasize the importance of customized service for our clients to ensure each individual and business is protected. Our brokers will go out of their way to understand your needs and develop an insurance plan that is tailor-made for you.

Our Philosophy

The Gifford Carr philosophy is a simple one — protecting what matters. We build our business on three key pillars; trust, connect, and protect.

Our experience and expertise are your best insurance. Find comfort and assurance in trusting that not only are we intimately familiar with the ins and outs of insurance, but that we are also constantly working to connect you with the best fit, so you are protected. This means having a deep understanding of each client’s situation, and continuously following market changes and trends that will impact that situation. Put your trust in Gifford Carr Insurance Group. We know insurance.

Protecting what matters. It’s what we do.

Tune in to Matthew Carr’s Interview with Ottawa Mayor, Mark Sutcliffe:

Our Team

Our team is incredibly knowledgeable and experienced in all types of business and personal insurance. From classic cars, snowmobiles, and motorcycles to cyber liability and fleet insurance – and everything in between – we have you covered. As an independent insurance brokerage, we work for you. With access to all the carriers across Canada, you can be assured that we are always working in the best interest of you, our client.

As a fully-licensed firm, our brokers must meet the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario RIBO requirements. Our focus on continuing education and professional development ensures our team is in the know and armed with the best tools to serve you.

Bottom line, we take our work – your insurance – very seriously.

Meet the team

Our Story

Beyond where we’ve been, where are we going? Protecting what matters. It’s what we do. And it’s why we do things the way we do, and not just the way it’s always been done. Our President, Matthew Carr, sat down with Mark Sutcliffe, Entrepreneur, TEC Canada Chair, and Podcast Host, Digging Deep to talk about the Gifford Carr story. Who we are, how we came to be, and where we are going.

As we grow across Ontario, our mission remains the same. Protecting what matters. We are a local, Canadian-owned brokerage serving our neighbours and the business in our communities. Our promise to our clients, we are on your team.

We work for you. We are your local broker.

75 Years Of Protecting What Matters.

Our Communities

As an independent, community-oriented insurance firm, we are licensed across Canada, with locations in Ottawa, Burlington, and North Bay to serve local communities across Ontario. We combine the warm, family feel of a small business with the big city convenience of access to insurance solutions nationwide.

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Why choose Gifford Carr Insurance Group?

1. The team

We have a team approach on each and every one of our accounts.

Our Account Executives, Managers, and Administrators work together to ensure you are taken care of. From policy placement and renewals to claims management, certificates of insurance, and any other changes along the way, you can trust that we have you protected. We are on your team.

2. 24-hour claims service

Claims do not always fall into the 9-5.

We understand that you will need 24-hour access to assistance in the event of a loss. Our service experts are available, on-call, around the clock.

3. Claims management

We are here to help manage the claim process.

We understand a loss is a stressful time for you. Trust us to help ensure the process is as smooth as possible. Making sure your claim is prioritized with the insurance companies to ensure minimal downtime if your unit is repairable and getting you back on the road as quickly as possible, our team is here for you. If your vehicle is not repairable and deemed a total loss, we ensure that the settlement offer is fair and done quickly.

4. We understand timelines

For many transactions from commercial spaces to new home buyers, certificates of insurance are critical elements of the deal.

We realize time is money, and in situations when a quick turnaround time is needed, we ensure a quick turnaround time on all our certificates of insurance for your customers and suppliers. We are on your team.

5. Risk management experts

We provide you with valuable insight to minimizing your risk, policy coverage audits, various deductible options comparisons, new driver selection, and hiring practices, policies and procedures manuals, and other “best-in-class” comparables. We help set you up for success. We are on your team.

6. Our industry network

Established in 1948, a fully-independent brokerage licensed across Canada.

We have valuable relationships with the leading insurance companies from coast to coast. You are our number one priority, we work hard to obtain the best possible pricing and coverages available. We work for you – our valued client!

7. We get commercial vehicle operator's registration (CVOR)

Commercial vehicle operators in Ontario must have a valid Commercial Vehicle Operator’s Registration (CVOR) certificate and carry a copy.

We provide regular CVOR reviews with our clients to ensure your information is up-to-date and as accurate as possible with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO).

In the event of an MTO Facility Audit, we can also assist, teaming up with several independent transportation industry veterans to support your needs. We understand your CVOR rating is crucial to your daily business operations, it can be viewed by existing and potential new customers alike and is extremely important to insurance companies as well.

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