Reliance is a trusted insurance advisor. We provide protection beyond insurance.

Our Story

When Jim purchased Reliance Insurance in 1985, it was a tiny – 500 square feet – storefront insurance agency on Hastings at Boundary in Vancouver. But Jim’s vision was to grow the company into a major personal and commercial insurance brokerage. Over the next 35 years, Reliance moved a number of times as it grew and gathered more companies, and at one point, the business was spread out over several locations. Over and over, Jim was told that his venues were too big for a small staff, too far away from foot traffic, too much of a storefront to be commercial, and over and over, Jim stuck to his vision and proved them all wrong.

Today, Reliance Insurance Agencies Ltd. is proudly housed in the 14,000 square foot building he bought in 2014 completing Jim’s mission and keeping everyone in Reliance’s insurance family together under one roof in the Greater Vancouver Regional District. The Reliance Group of companies has a team of 125 people with additional offices in Toronto and Montreal.

We are a full-service insurance agency with specialized support in all lines of insurance related to small business, commercial, home, car and employee benefits programs. We are a WING partner – a global broker network – enabling us to place coverage for clients anywhere in the world, and have many clients with USA operations. Jim Ball and the senior executives are strong advocates for our clients through their role as advisory board members of several insurers.

Our Burnaby Neighborhood

Reliance Insurance is proud to be a part of Burnaby Heights, a vibrant neighbourhood, close to our roots and is small business and family-focused. We have grown to be one of the top 15 insurance agencies in BC and our staff, who is like our extended family, is an integral part of our success. Burnaby Heights is a perfect fit for the way we do business.

Our Mission

Reliance Insurance Agencies Ltd. offers a unique and holistic approach to business-related risks and how to mitigate them, whether insurable or not insurable. Our mission is Protection Beyond Insurance®: Protection of our client’s assets, the livelihood of our staff and the protection of our profitability.

We are consistently among the top 10% of Insurance Brokers in Canada, which allows us to stay focused on our mission: to be your trusted insurance advisor. We want to help you reduce your risk, lower your total cost of risk and ensure that any claim you make is settled promptly and fairly.

Vision

We are a strong competitor in the insurance industry, achieved by our commitment to diversified growth. We have clarity in understanding our vision. We are committed to leading by example, having the right people in the right jobs and giving them the resources to succeed. Working together with respect for each other is critical to our success and allows us to focus on giving our clients prompt, courteous and knowledgeable service.

PROTECTION BEYOND INSURANCE®

For media inquiries please contact:

Louise Cropley
Marketing Strategist
Phone: 604-412-5956
Email: lcropley@reliance.ca

Steffi Dipp
Marketing Strategist
Phone: 604-412-5909
Email: sdipp@reliance.ca

Memberships & Affiliations

Better Business Bureau
BC Food Processors Association (BCFPA). Sponsor of annual Innovation Award
BC Pharmacy Association
Bridges to Community Canada
Burnaby Board of Trade
Burnaby Heights Business Association
Canadian International Freight Forwarders Association (CIFF)
Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Insurance Brokers Association of BC
Insurance Council of BC
Marine Association of BC
Union Gospel Mission
Vancouver Club
Wing Insurance – Global Brokers Network
Manufacturing Safety Alliance of BC

Acquisitions

2016 – Acquisition of Charlton Insurance & Whyte Insurance
2014 – PMU expands into Quebec
2013 – Acquisition of Pat Anderson Insurance Group
2012 – Acquisition of Dolphin Insurance Services Ltd.
2010 = Acquisition of Pro Form Insurance Services (B.C.) Ltd.
2009 – Incorporation of Premium Pay Inc.
2007 – Pacific Marine Underwriting Managers Ltd. available in ON, AB, SK, MB
2007 – Acquisition of Harbour Insurance Services Ltd. (Ontario)
2002 – Incorporation of Pacific Marine Underwriting Managers Ltd. (PMU)
2000 – Acquisition of Black Gavin & Company Ltd.
1997 – Acquisition of Duggan West Insurance Services Ltd.
1996 – Acquisition of Mandarin Insurance Services Ltd.
1985 – Acquisition of Greengrowth Insurance Agencies Ltd.
1985 – Jim Ball purchases Reliance Insurance Agencies Ltd.

Learn about the history of Reliance and Jim’s vision for the company, including how Reliance is changing lives with Bridges to Community.