About Us

Neighbour Helping Neighbour

mutual

mu • tu • al \ 1 myu-che)we)l \ adj. 1: given and received in equal amount (~ trust) 2: having the same feeling, one for the other (~ respect) 3: common, joint (a ~ friend)

It seems that in so many of our day to day affairs, the human touch has been diminished or often altogether lost; and even though at Westminster we pride ourselves in keeping current with the latest in training and technological advancements, we've never lost sight of the importance of the “Neighbour Helping Neighbour” approach. The word mutual is in our company name for a reason… because Westminster is owned and operated by its Policyholders, you are a genuine member of the Company, and our goals and visions are common… to provide comprehensive insurance to you, at cost. You, in effect, own the Company and aid in its election of Board Members and can dictate Company Operations.

Westminster Mutual (Fire) Insurance Company came into existence on November 18, 1857; and since its inception has understood how local needs in small towns and rural areas differ from those in larger urban centres. Westminster takes those differences into account, and reflects those insights with policies that are tailored to meet your specific requirements. We do this so effectively because our directors, staff, agents and brokers live, work and raise their families in the same communities as you, our Policyholder.

Westminster operates within a financially secure insurance network of over 50 Ontario Mutual companies. So, even though we may seem small, our assets are completely backed by the assets of all other member companies; and we can ensure solid protection for you through our jointly owned Guarantee Fund and Reinsurance Company. We offer you strength, stability and peace of mind, without having to pay dividends to outside shareholders, because we're a non-profit organization.

Nearly 150 years ago, a small group of farmers in the Township of Westminster had the foresight to come together and establish a company to insure one another against fire risks when they could not obtain insurance elsewhere. We still operate today on the same foundation of honesty, integrity and community-based principles that was laid back then. We provide you with reliable, efficient services and strive to foster strong relationships between our Policyholders and our Brokers. We know that working together enriches the services we offer our public, and we're dedicated to keeping abreast of the current issues, trends and training in order to better comprehend how these changes affect you, our Policyholder.

This commitment to service is evident in our initiative to not only insure our Policyholders against potential risks, but to provide in-depth education through the use of preventative measures in reducing those risks. Westminster holds several town hall meetings yearly, and works in conjunction with police and fire departments in our community to acquire the information needed to aid in that education.

Our fundamental endeavour is, and always has been, a “mutual” partnership. Our greatest strength lies in our membership, our insistence on maintaining the highest standards of personal service, and our ability to offer a broad range of insurance products and protection. In times when the trend seems to be toward bigger companies and fewer choices, Westminster is one member of a family of mutual companies that is among the strongest in the industry. Give us a call, and find out for yourself how mutually beneficial it can be to do business with your neighbour.