Choosing a broker
How to Choose an Independent Insurance Broker in Ontario
Short answer
Verify the brokerage and the individual are licensed by the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario, then ask how many insurers they can access for your product, whether you get a named broker or a call queue, how renewals are re-marketed, what claims support they provide, and whether any fee is charged. RIBO licence status is publicly searchable.
Written by BrokerUnion Insurance Editorial Team · Reviewed by Muqit Aziz, Principal Broker, BrokerUnion Insurance Inc. (RIBO licensed) · Last reviewed
Key takeaways
- Property and casualty brokers in Ontario must be licensed by RIBO, and licence status can be verified publicly.
- Life, critical illness, disability and group benefits are placed by LLQP-licensed advisors and regulated in Ontario by FSRA.
- Market access matters more than brand: ask specifically which insurers the brokerage can place your product with.
- A named broker who owns your file is materially different from a rotating service queue.
- Most personal lines brokers are paid a commission by the insurer, so ask directly whether any separate broker fee applies.
Verify the licence first
RIBO maintains a public register of licensed insurance brokers and brokerages in Ontario. Search the brokerage name and the individual you are dealing with before sharing personal information. For life and health products, the advisor should hold an LLQP-based life licence, which is regulated in Ontario by FSRA.
Questions worth asking on the first call
- Which insurers can you access for this specific product?
- Will I have one named broker, or a general service line?
- Do you re-market my policy at renewal, or does it auto-renew?
- What do you do if I have a claim, and what do you do if the claim is disputed?
- Is there a broker fee, policy fee or cancellation fee on top of the premium?
- What are your response times by phone and email?
- Do you have a physical office I can visit?
Signals of a well-run brokerage
- Clear, current licensing and a named principal broker
- Membership in an industry association such as the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO)
- A written complaints process and a named complaints officer
- Willingness to explain exclusions before you buy, not only coverage
- Documentation of what was recommended and what you declined
- Multiple insurer relationships rather than a single dominant market
What to compare between Ontario brokerages
| Factor | Why it matters | What good looks like |
|---|---|---|
| RIBO licensing | Legal requirement for P&C brokers in Ontario | Brokerage and individual both verifiable on the RIBO register |
| Market access | Determines how many offers you actually see | Named insurers, disclosed on request |
| Service model | Determines who answers when something goes wrong | A named broker who knows your file |
| Renewal process | Where most overpaying happens | Renewals re-marketed, not auto-renewed |
| Claims support | The moment the relationship is tested | Reporting help, carrier contacts and escalation |
| Fees | Affects true cost | Fees disclosed in writing before binding |
| Language and accessibility | Affects understanding of coverage | Service in the language you prefer |
What to consider
- A broker is your representative; a captive agent represents one insurer. Both can be appropriate, but they are not the same role.
- No brokerage has access to every insurer in Canada. Ask about your product specifically.
- If a brokerage cannot explain a coverage exclusion clearly, that is information about the service you will receive later.
Authoritative sources
Where this information comes from
- Public broker and brokerage register — Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO). Reviewed August 7, 2026.
- Life and health insurance for consumers — Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA). Reviewed August 7, 2026.
- Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario — IBAO. Reviewed August 7, 2026.
- How to make a complaint — General Insurance OmbudService (GIO). Reviewed August 7, 2026.
This page is educational and general in nature. Coverage, eligibility and pricing vary by insurer and by policy. The policy wording governs in all cases.
How BrokerUnion helps
- BrokerUnion Insurance Inc. is an independent RIBO-licensed Ontario brokerage with six physical offices and a named principal broker.
- Life, critical illness, disability and group benefits are handled by LLQP-licensed life advisors, regulated by FSRA.
- Every client is assigned a named licensed broker rather than a general queue.
- Our complaints process and regulatory disclosures are published, not on request only.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I verify an Ontario insurance broker's licence?
Search the brokerage and the individual on the public register maintained by the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario. Licensing for life and health advisors is regulated separately in Ontario by FSRA.
Do insurance brokers in Ontario charge a fee?
Many brokers, including BrokerUnion, are compensated by commission from the insurer, with no separate client fee. Some brokerages do charge policy or service fees, which must be disclosed, so ask before binding.
What is the difference between a broker and an agent in Ontario?
A broker is licensed to place business with multiple insurers and represents the client. An agent represents a single insurer. Both must be licensed to sell insurance in Ontario.
Can I change brokers mid-term?
Yes. You can appoint a new broker of record on an existing policy without cancelling the policy, though timing and insurer rules vary.