Ontario Construction News special feature
Cowan Insurance Group began as the Frank Cowan Insurance Agency in Princeton, Ontario in 1927 with just a handful of employees. The company has since grown in its expertise, its reach, and its range of services and now employs more than 450 through 10 locations.
What has always remained through the company’s growth is founder Frank Cowan’s desire to attract and retain top industry talent who continuously deliver service excellence to clients. Kevan Thompson, vice president construction, says this commitment to understanding client needs, and being intuitive and proactive in response, has helped this third generation family owned company achieve its success.
Cowan specializes in property and casualty insurance. Thompson says the company provides the best value to businesses, organizations and individuals for their insurance and risk management needs. The organization also consults and creates group retirement, group benefits, international benefits, and disability management solutions for employee groups, and offers wealth management, personal insurance, financial planning, and succession planning services to individuals.
Thompson says as Cowan grew, through both acquisitions and organic growth, the company also expanded its services to fill marketplace gaps, and learned that a focused approach works best.
“We have a specialized and dedicated construction segment, for instance, that has built a strong reputation as a knowledgeable, capable and experienced team in the field,” he said.
“In addition, our multi-line product capability aligns with robust relationship management to empower us in delivering an unparalleled value, and providing the trusted advice and thought leadership on which our clients have come to expect and rely on.”
He says the staff who work in this dedicated group truly understand the industry’s unique exposures and can tailor a solution to meet the sometimes complex business needs.
Cowan offers clients risk management solutions, cost optimization, and loss control services backed up with customized account management. A regular part of its service also includes reviewing current contracts to ensure proper coverage is in place and that clients maintain an accurate understanding of risk.
Cowan also works to help clients develop their businesses through information sessions dedicated to specific interests. One such example is the company’s annual Construction Forum, a complementary panel discussion with industry experts designed to share knowledge, consider alternative viewpoints, and ask questions.
“Our Construction Forums have addressed areas like risk management, better business, and legislation – more specifically, Bill 69: Prompt Payment, the Lien Act, Public-Private Partnerships (P3s) and the intricacies of design build projects. We also publish articles related to construction insurance topics in a number of relevant magazines and trade publications.”
Thompson says as a preeminent Canadian owned and operated insurance brokerage and consulting operation with access to more than 70 markets, Cowan is able to compete and win in the global marketplace. Because Cowan is not owned by an insurance company, he says the business is a true independent broker. That means the company works for its clients, not the insurance companies, and can provide unbiased advice on each client’s individual insurance needs, he says.
“We don’t try to be everything to everyone, but what we do, we focus on doing well.”
Thompson says that among the company’s many assets is its own dedicated claims department. “We don’t just tell our clients we’re going to work hard for them; we show them. Our experienced claims professionals provide the guidance and support our clients need, ensuring they are well looked after and that is reflected in the positive feedback they provide.”
As part of Cowan’s continued commitment to innovation and providing valuable expertise and client support, the company recently signed up with DataBid. Thompson says Cowan will use DataBid’s search capabilities to identify projects and potential clients who can benefit from early advice and insurance support.
For more information about Cowan Insurance Group, visit www.cowangroup.ca.
This article is one of a series of profiles of clients served by DataBid.com. For more information and a free trial, see www.databid.com.