Gallagher Skippers’ Plan
Gallagher Skippers' Plan is a Canadian marine insurance specialist brand under Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited that provides boat insurance to individual recreational boaters across nine Canadian provinces through licensed advisors, an online quote portal, and an exclusive Sail Canada partnership.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1943
- HeadquartersMarkham, Canada
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Gallagher Skippers’ Plan does
Gallagher Skippers' Plan is a Canadian marine insurance specialist brand operating under Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited (itself a subsidiary of NYSE-listed Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.). Founded in 1943 by WJ 'Bill' Robertson as a general insurance agency in Toronto, the firm developed the Skippers' Plan concept in the early 1950s to serve Ontario boaters and has operated continuously in marine insurance for over 70 years. The brand was acquired by CG&B Group in 2010 and by Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited in 2014. Its core offering is comprehensive boat insurance for recreational vessels across Canada, covering cruisers, sailboats, pontoons, PWCs, runabouts, fishing boats, bass boats, sport boats, jet boats, and deck boats, with liability limits up to $3 million, agreed-value settlements, and endorsements such as racing coverage and emergency towing. Distribution is hybrid: licensed insurance professionals serve as personal advisors via toll-free and Toronto phone lines; an online quoting system delivers 24/7 self-serve quotes; and an exclusive broker partnership with Sail Canada (since 2011) provides channel access into yacht clubs and sailing schools nationwide.
The revenue model is brokerage-based and multi-stream: commissions from placing and servicing policies with a network of more than 35 insurer partners (commission rates of 3%-19.75% on personal auto, 10%-20% on marine/freight, 15%-25% on watercraft), contingent commission arrangements tied to portfolio-level underwriting and retention goals with carrier partners, premium-financing referral fees (0.4%-1% of financed premium) via Momentus Canada Inc. and FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada, and ancillary fee-based services such as data entry, claims payment processing, site surveys, and market-opportunity analysis. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with annual billing as the standard cadence and optional monthly PAC plans and premium-financing installments. The company maintains a headquarters in Markham, Ontario (169 Enterprise Blvd., Unit 400) and a Toronto/GTA sales-and-service office, with coverage available across nine Canadian provinces and navigation extensions into the U.S. (above 40° N latitude) and the Caribbean.
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Gallagher Skippers’ Plan
- Legal name
- Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited
- Website
- https://skippersplan.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1943
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Gallagher Skippers' Plan is a Canadian marine insurance specialist brand under Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited that provides boat insurance to individual recreational boaters across nine Canadian provinces through licensed advisors, an online quote portal, and an exclusive Sail Canada partnership.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Insurance (Boat Insurance)
- NAICS
- Direct Insurance (except Life, Health, and Medical) Carriers (52412)
- SIC
- Fire, Marine & Casualty Insurance (6331)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Yacht & Pleasure Craft Insurance (FSAJAHAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Marine Specialty (Hull/P&I/Cargo) (FSAJAGAJ)
Keywords
Where Gallagher Skippers’ Plan is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Markham
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Insurance Brokerage Commissions: Compensation from commissions received from brokerage and servicing of insurance policies placed with insurance companies. Commission rates vary by coverage type (e.g., personal automobile 3%-19.75%, marine/freight 10%-20%, watercraft 15%-25%)
- Contingent Commission Arrangements: Additional compensation when stipulated underwriting, profitability, volume or retention goals are achieved with insurance company partners. Based on total amount of coverage placed with particular insurance company across the entire portfolio
- Premium Financing Services: Arranging premium financing for clients through partnerships with Momentus Canada Inc. and FIRST Insurance Funding of Canada. Earns 0.4% to 1% of total premium amount financed
- Fee-Based Services: Additional services such as data entry, claims payment processing, site surveys, and market opportunity analysis platforms provided for additional compensation through agreed fees or commissions
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Quote-based customized boat insurance |
| Other | Monthly | Premium financing options |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Gallagher Skippers' Plan is a marine insurance brokerage that places and services boat insurance policies for Canadian recreational boaters, covering all major vessel types (sailboats, cruisers, pontoons, PWCs, runabouts, fishing boats, bass boats, sport boats, deck boats, jet boats) with all-risk physical damage, agreed value, liability up to $3 million, emergency towing, and specialized coverages. The brokerage operates under an exclusive partnership with Sail Canada and serves individual boaters, yacht club members, sailing schools, and regatta organizers across nine Canadian provinces.
Product overview
Gallagher Skippers' Plan is a marine insurance specialist operating as part of Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited, providing comprehensive boat insurance coverage for Canadian boaters for over 70 years. The core offering is Canadian Boat Insurance covering multiple boat types: cruisers, sailboats, pontoon boats, PWC (personal watercraft), runabouts, fishing boats, bass boats, jet boats, sport boats, and deck boats. The company operates a platform-plus-regional-variants architecture with province-specific insurance products (such as Saskatchewan Sport Boat Insurance, Jet Boat Insurance, Bass Boat Insurance, and Fishing Boat Insurance) that offer tailored coverage including agreed value, actual cash value, all-risk coverage, and liability protection up to $3 million. The Sail Canada partnership program provides exclusive benefits including decreasing deductible riders, emergency towing coverage, and regatta expense coverage for Sail Canada members. Additional offerings include group home and auto insurance for Sail Canada members, and specialized insurance programs for yacht clubs, sailing schools, instructors, and coaches.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Canadian Boat Insurance Comprehensive marine insurance for Canadian recreational boaters covering all major vessel types (sailboats, cruisers, runabouts, pontoons, PWCs, fishing boats, bass boats, sport boats, deck boats, jet boats) with all-risk physical damage, agreed value, liability up to $3 million, personal effects, emergency towing, and 15-day automatic coverage for newly acquired boats. Consolidates the boat-type-specific variants (Cruiser, Pontoon, Sail, PWC, Runabout, Fishing, Bass, Jet, Sport, Deck) into a single product line.
- Sail Canada Member Insurance Program Exclusive Sail Canada member insurance program offering additional endorsements on individual boat insurance (declining deductible rider, emergency towing expense rider, regatta expense coverage, protest committee-based claims settlement) and preferential rates on home, auto, and commercial insurance.
- Yacht Club and Marina Insurance Program Specialized insurance programs for yacht clubs, sailing schools, instructors, and coaches, including regatta liability insurance, instructor liability insurance, directors and officers insurance, sailing school insurance, and legal expense insurance.
- Sail Canada Group Home and Auto Insurance Exclusive group home and automobile insurance for Sail Canada members offering comprehensive coverage and competitive rates with personalized service, bundled with the Sail Canada member benefits program.
Quantifiable outcome
- Agreed value coverage - claims settled at insured value with no depreciation
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Gallagher Skippers’ Plan
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Arthur J. Gallagher Canada LimitedcoreParent company acquisition in 2014. CG&B Group (which acquired Robertson & Robertson in 2010) was acquired by Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited, one of the three largest insurance brokerages in the world and a leading marine insurance broker globally. Provides enhanced product range and global resources to Skippers' Plan clients.
- Sail CanadacoreExclusive insurance broker relationship with Sail Canada (formerly Canadian Yachting Association) since 2011. Provides exclusive insurance benefits to Sail Canada members including preferential rates, declining deductibles, emergency towing coverage, and racing coverage. The partnership offers Sail Canada members access to Gallagher Skippers' Plan insurance services with exclusive advantages.
- CG&B GroupminorRobertson & Robertson Yacht Insurance (operating as Skippers' Plan) joined the CG&B Group in 2010, one of Canada's largest insurance brokerages, providing access to a larger marine insurance department and additional insurance products.
- Robertson & Robertson Yacht InsuranceminorOriginal Skippers' Plan business founded in 1943 by WJ Bill Robertson. Operated as family business for three generations as Robertson & Robertson Yacht Insurance before joining CG&B Group in 2010.
- Boating BCminorProud member and supporter of Boating BC, a provincial boating advocacy organization. Gallagher Skippers' Plan supports the organization as part of their commitment to Canadian boating community.
- Insurer Partners NetworkcorePartnership network of over 35 insurance companies including Aviva, Intact, Chubb, Lloyd's, Northbridge, Tokio Marine, Travelers, Wawanesa, Zurich, and others. Not tied to any particular insurer allowing market analysis to find suitable coverage solutions.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BoatUS: Leading US-based boat insurance specialist and boat owner advocacy organization. Directly comparable to Skippers' Plan as a marine insurance specialist serving recreational boaters, though operating at much larger scale and US-focused.
- Navigators Insurance (Hartford Financial): Specialty insurer with marine focus offering yacht and pleasure craft coverage. Directly comparable as a marine insurance specialist serving recreational boating market, though operates primarily in the US and at larger scale.
Broad incumbents
- Aviva Canada: Major Canadian P&C insurer offering marine insurance among broader product lines. Listed as one of Skippers' Plan's carrier partners. Competes indirectly for boat insurance customers but operates as a multi-line carrier rather than marine specialist.
- Chubb Insurance: Global specialty insurer with significant marine insurance capabilities, including yacht and pleasure craft coverage. Carrier partner to Skippers' Plan. Comparable in offering marine/yacht insurance but at global scale across many specialty and standard lines.
- Intact Insurance: Canada's largest P&C insurer offering boat insurance among many other lines. Also a carrier partner to Skippers' Plan. Comparable as a Canadian insurance provider for recreational marine, but operates across all P&C lines rather than specializing.
- Wawanesa Insurance: Canadian mutual insurer offering boat insurance as part of broader P&C portfolio. Listed as Skippers' Plan carrier partner. Comparable in offering marine coverage to Canadian consumers, but as multi-line carrier rather than marine specialist.
- Progressive Insurance: Major US insurer with boat insurance offerings accessible through direct-to-consumer online platform. Represents the disintermediation threat to brokers like Skippers' Plan, competing on convenience and pricing rather than advisory service.
- Northbridge Insurance: Canadian commercial and specialty insurer offering marine coverage including yacht and pleasure craft. Carrier partner to Skippers' Plan. Comparable in marine insurance offerings, though focused more on commercial mid-market than pure recreational.
- Lloyd's of London: Global specialty insurance market with deep marine insurance heritage. Carrier partner to Skippers' Plan for complex marine risks. Offers yacht and pleasure craft coverage as part of broader specialty insurance portfolio.
- Zurich Insurance Canada: Global insurer with marine capabilities offering yacht and pleasure craft coverage in Canada. Carrier partner to Skippers' Plan. Comparable in marine insurance product offering, though operates across many specialty and commercial lines.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan social profiles
Digital presenceGallagher Skippers’ Plan financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles10 records
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Gallagher Skippers’ Plan
What does Gallagher Skippers’ Plan do?
Gallagher Skippers' Plan is a marine insurance brokerage that places and services boat insurance policies for Canadian recreational boaters, covering all major vessel types (sailboats, cruisers, pontoons, PWCs, runabouts, fishing boats, bass boats, sport boats, deck boats, jet boats) with all-risk physical damage, agreed value, liability up to $3 million, emergency towing, and specialized coverages. The brokerage operates under an exclusive partnership with Sail Canada and serves individual boaters, yacht club members, sailing schools, and regatta organizers across nine Canadian provinces.
Is Gallagher Skippers’ Plan a public or private company?
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was Gallagher Skippers’ Plan founded?
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan was founded in 1943. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Gallagher Skippers’ Plan based?
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan is headquartered in Markham, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Gallagher Skippers’ Plan make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Insurance Brokerage Commissions are the primary driver. The others are contingent Commission Arrangements, premium Financing Services and fee-Based Services.
Who are Gallagher Skippers’ Plan's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BoatUS and Navigators Insurance (Hartford Financial). Broad incumbents are Aviva Canada, Chubb Insurance, Intact Insurance, Wawanesa Insurance, Progressive Insurance, Northbridge Insurance, Lloyd's of London and Zurich Insurance Canada.
Does Gallagher Skippers’ Plan have an API?
No public API is recorded for Gallagher Skippers’ Plan.
What industry is Gallagher Skippers’ Plan in?
Gallagher Skippers’ Plan's product category is Marine Insurance (Boat Insurance). Its primary akta.pro industry code is FSAJAHAI, Yacht & Pleasure Craft Insurance, with a secondary code of FSAJAGAJ, Marine Specialty (Hull/P&I/Cargo). Its NAICS code is 52412 and its SIC code is 6331.