Zehr Insurance Brokers

What Zehr Insurance Brokers does

Zehr Insurance Brokers Ltd. is a privately-held, family-owned insurance brokerage founded in 1954 by Horace J. Zehr in New Hamburg, Ontario, and currently led by President Richard Zehr and Counsel John Zehr (who served as 2nd-generation President for 34 years). The firm operates seven offices across South Western Ontario (New Hamburg, Milverton, Tavistock, Listowel, Clinton, Waterloo, and Mitchell) and serves both personal and commercial customers with a 11-50 person staff. Its core product set spans personal auto, home/property, life and living benefits, commercial/business insurance, and farm/agricultural lines, distributed through in-person broker consultations, phone sales, and website-driven quote requests.

The company differentiates itself through a portfolio of specialty programs targeting niche markets: Vintage C.A.R.S. (the original Ontario collector-car insurance program since 1968, underwritten by Intact Insurance), Zehr Brew (craft brewery, distillery, and winery), Zehr Garage (collector car dealers and restoration shops), Zehr Cottage Plus (short-term rental cottages, endorsed by the Ontario Cottage Rental Managers Association), Zehr F.A.R.M.S. (firefighter farmers via an exclusive FFAO partnership), and Zehr Care (health benefits for agri and small businesses). Underlying technology is a conventional brokerage platform with the ZehrGO customer portal for online policy management. Zehr earns commissions from placing policies with more than 10 auto carriers and multiple farm/commercial mutuals (Heartland, Trillium, Howick), supplemented by group affinity programs through Economical, Aviva Traders, and Novex.

The go-to-market blends a sales-led brokerage model with community-led marketing — champion sponsorship of Moparfest, car club engagements, the Helmets for Life / Brain Injury Canada charity partnership, and an active blog and social media presence. The company is privately owned within the Zehr family, has no disclosed external funding, and has grown historically through organic means and mergers with other agencies.

Name

Zehr Insurance Brokers

Legal name

Zehr Insurance Brokers Ltd.

Website

https://zehrinsurance.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1954

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zehr Insurance Brokers Ltd. is a family-owned Ontario insurance brokerage founded in 1954, operating seven offices across South Western Ontario and providing personal, commercial, farm, and specialty insurance (notably Vintage CARS, Zehr Brew, Zehr Cottage Plus, and Zehr F.A.R.M.S.) to individuals and small businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Insurance Brokerage

NAICS

Agencies, Brokerages, and Other Insurance Related Activities (5242), Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (524210), Insurance Agencies and Brokerages (52421)

SIC

Insurance Agents, Brokers & Service (6411)

akta.pro primary industry

Retail (Personal Lines) Insurance Brokerage (FSAEADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Classic / Collector Car Insurance (FSAJAAAG), Mid-Market Commercial Package (Package Policies) (FSAJAFAB), Specialty & Excess/Surplus Lines (E&S) (FSAJAMAH)

Keywords

• Insurance brokerage services
• Commercial insurance programs
• Personal property insurance
• Specialty vehicle coverage
• Farm insurance solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

New Hamburg

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Insurance Brokerage Commissions: As an insurance brokerage, Zehr Insurance earns commissions from insurance companies for placing policies. They have access to over 10 different auto insurance companies and multiple farm and business insurance providers, earning commissions on each policy sold and renewed.
2. Specialty Program Fees: Revenue from specialized insurance programs including Vintage CARS, Zehr Brew, Zehr Cottage Plus, Zehr Garage, and F.A.R.M.S. These niche programs serve specific market segments and generate premium revenue.
3. Group Insurance Administration: Fees from administering group car and home insurance programs for employee groups, clubs, and professional associations through partners like Economical, Aviva Traders, and Novex.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Zehr Insurance Brokers Ltd. is an independent insurance brokerage that places personal, commercial, farm, and specialty lines of insurance with multiple carriers on behalf of customers across Southwestern Ontario. Core offerings include car, home, life, and business insurance, alongside proprietary specialty programs such as the Vintage C.A.R.S. collector car program (since 1968), Zehr Brew (craft beverage), Zehr F.A.R.M.S. (firefighter-farm), Zehr Garage (collector car dealers), and Zehr Cottage Plus (short-term rentals).

Product overview

Zehr Insurance Brokers Ltd. is a full-service insurance brokerage established in 1954, offering both traditional insurance products and specialty programs. Their core personal lines include Car Insurance, Home Insurance, Life Insurance & Living Benefits, while their specialty portfolio centers on niche vehicle and property insurance. The flagship Vintage C.A.R.S. Program (Classics, Antiques, Rods & Specialty) has been operating since 1968 and is underwritten by Intact Insurance. Additional specialty offerings include Zehr Brew (craft brewery/distillery insurance), Zehr Garage (collector car professional insurance), Zehr Cottage Plus (short-term rental accommodation), and the Zehr F.A.R.M.S. Program (firefighter agricultural insurance). Commercial products span business insurance, surety bonds, and group affinity programs. The company operates through 7 offices in southwestern Ontario and accesses multiple insurance markets to provide competitive pricing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Vintage C.A.R.S. Specialty vintage, antique, and classic car insurance program covering Classics & Customs, Antiques, Rods & Replicas, and Specialty vehicles.
• Zehr Brew
• Zehr Care
• Zehr Cottage Plus
• Zehr Garage
• Zehr F.A.R.M.S. Program
• ZehrGO

Products and services

• Car Insurance
• Home Insurance
• Vintage CARS Insurance
• Business Insurance Commercial coverage including property, equipment breakdown, business interruption, crime, commercial general liability, professional liability, E&O, umbrella, D&O, and commercial automobile/fleet policies for Ontario businesses.
• Life Insurance & Living Benefits Life insurance products including whole life, term life, critical illness, disability, and individual health benefits for individuals and families.
• Zehr Brew Craft Brewery, Distillery and Winery Insurance Package covering commercial general liability, liquor liability, property, stock spoilage, contamination, product recall, infestation, exhibition floater, business interruption, and boiler and machinery.
• Agricultural/Farm Insurance Farm and agri-business insurance covering poultry, dairy, beef, cash crop, custom farming, equine, hog operations, hobby farms, drying operations, feed mills, and antique tractors through Heartland Farm Mutual, Trillium Mutual, and Howick Mutual.
• Zehr Care Health & Wellness Program for agri and small businesses with 2+ employees, covering dental, drugs, travel, vision, life, critical illness, and paramedical services with tax-deductible premiums.
• Zehr F.A.R.M.S. Program Firefighter Agriculture Risk Management Solutions program providing blanket farm machinery coverage ($50,000), accident recovery plan, 20 additional coverages at $100,000 aggregate limit, preferred pricing, and extra claims experience discount for active FFAO members.
• Zehr Garage Garage & Dealer Insurance Program tailored for collector car professionals including restoration shops, dealerships, vehicle museums, and storage facilities with commercial general liability and agreed value garage auto coverage.
• Zehr Cottage Plus Short-term rental accommodation insurance for cottage owners, covering daily, weekly, and monthly rentals with all-risk dwelling coverage, rental income, liability, sewer backup, and overland water protection. Preferred program of the Ontario Cottage Rental Managers Association.
• Group Home and Auto Insurance Association group insurance through Economical, Aviva Traders and Novex offering up to 30% discounts for groups of employees, clubs, or professional associations, with potential savings up to 60% combined with other discounts.
• Vintage Motorcycle Insurance Vintage motorcycle insurance offering 40% savings off regular rates with agreed value policy based on recent appraisal for riders aged 30+ with full M license, 6 years claims-free, motorcycles aged 25+ in stock condition.
• Surety Bonds Specialty surety bonds including contractor bonds, customs and guarantee bonds, and estate bonds for Canadian businesses and individuals.
• Vintage Car Club Liability Insurance Not-for-profit car club insurance since 1954 providing commercial general liability and D&O liability for car clubs, associations, and corporations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Vintage CARS clients can receive 20% discount on property insurance in addition to other discounts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Intact InsurancecoreTechnology or IntegrationIntact Insurance underwrites the Zehr Vintage CARS specialty insurance program for classic, antique, and collector vehicles. This is a core partnership enabling their flagship vintage car insurance product.
• Heartland Farm MutualcoreTechnology or IntegrationFarm and Agri-Business insurance provider partnership. Heartland is one of the leading Farm & Agri-Business Insurance companies in southwestern Ontario that Zehr accesses for farm clients.
• Trillium MutualcoreTechnology or IntegrationFarm insurance partner providing coverage options for agricultural operations. Part of Zehr's network of farm insurance providers.
• Economical InsurancecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner for group car and home insurance programs through Economical's affinity group offerings.
• Aviva TraderscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGroup insurance program partner providing auto and home insurance for affinity groups.
• NovexcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInsurance partner for group home and auto programs serving employee groups and associations.
• Fire Fighters' Association of Ontario (FFAO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExclusive partnership for the Zehr F.A.R.M.S. (Firefighter Agriculture Risk Management Solutions) program designed specifically for active firefighters who own farms. Includes group discounts for FFAO members on home and auto insurance.
• Sea & Ski Vacation RentalsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCottage rental agency partner for Zehr Cottage Plus short-term rental insurance program serving Huron Shores and Bruce Peninsula areas.
• Rentcottage.comminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCottage rental management partner for the short-term accommodation insurance program covering Huron Shores and Bruce Peninsula cottage rentals.
• Beaver ValleyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCottage rental partner in the Beaver Valley area for the short-term rental insurance program.
• Ontario Cottage Rental Managers Association (OCRMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOCRMA is the preferred and recommended insurance program by this association which provides rental management to over 1,000 cottages across Ontario. Zehr Cottage Plus is their endorsed insurance solution.
• Brain Injury CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZehr Insurance's corporate designated charity since 2015. Joint initiatives include Helmets for Life (brain injury prevention) and annual Poker Run & Car Cruise with proceeds going to Brain Injury Canada.
• MoparfestcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor event sponsorship - Zehr is the champion sponsor of Moparfest, Canada's largest all-Mopar car show attracting over 1700 registered show cars and 20,000 spectators annually in New Hamburg.
• Insurance Brokers Association of OntariominorOthersIndustry association membership providing professional credentials and industry representation for insurance brokers in Ontario.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BrokerLink: One of Canada's largest independent insurance brokerages with significant Ontario presence and a multi-line personal/commercial offering. Directly comparable to Zehr as a competing brokerage, though materially larger.
• McFarlan Rowlands Insurance Brokers: Southwestern Ontario-based brokerage with multiple branches and deep farm/agricultural expertise. Closely comparable to Zehr in regional footprint, specialty agribusiness focus, and family-firm culture.
• Morison Insurance: Independent Southwestern Ontario brokerage offering personal, commercial, and farm insurance. Comparable in geography, target customer (rural/agricultural Ontario), and multi-channel brokerage model.
• Acera Insurance: Canadian brokerage owned by Brokers Trust, providing personal, commercial, and specialty insurance across multiple provinces. Comparable in brokerage model and mid-market commercial focus.
• Hagerty Insurance: Specialty classic/collector vehicle insurance provider in North America. Zehr already offers Hagerty as an alternative carrier, and both compete for the classic-car owner segment through specialty programs.
• Oakwood Insurance Group: Independent Ontario insurance brokerage with multi-branch presence and personal/commercial/farm expertise. Comparable size and regional footprint to Zehr among Southwestern Ontario brokerages.

Broad incumbents

• Westland Insurance Group: Large Western-Canada-based brokerage expanding into Ontario with broad personal and commercial lines. Comparable as a multi-branch Canadian brokerage, though broader in scale and geographic mix.
• Belairdirect: Direct-to-consumer auto and home insurer backed by Intact Financial. Represents a competing distribution model rather than a brokerage, but competes for the same Ontario personal lines customers.
• Hub International: Large global insurance brokerage with Canadian operations. Competes for mid-market commercial and specialty business in Ontario, though at much larger scale and broader geographic/sectoral exposure.

Others

• Heartland Farm Mutual: Farm mutual insurance carrier that is a core Zehr partner for agricultural lines. Listed as a peer because it underwrites the same farm customers and represents an alternative direct-mutual distribution channel.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ZehrInsurance
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC0wum6EgfVl-V84O8H0x_3g
• Facebookfacebook.com/ZehrInsurance
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zehr-insurance-brokers-limited/mycompany/?viewAsMember=true
• Instagraminstagram.com/zehrinsurance

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zehr Insurance Brokers