If you’ve ever wondered what insurance brokers do or you’re not quite sure whether to reach out to a broker or an insurer for your insurance needs, you’re not alone. They both help you get coverage, but their roles are very different, and understanding that difference can have a big impact on how much you pay and what kind of protection you receive. In this article, we’ll explain what insurance brokers and insurance companies actually do, how they operate in Ontario, and how brokers like Levitt Insurance help clients find the right policy across top providers across the province.
What Is an Insurance Company?
An insurance company is the business that underwrites your policy. They’re the ones taking on the financial risk and paying out if a claim is approved.
In Canada, examples of major insurance companies include:
- Aviva Insurance – Offers home, auto, travel, and small business coverage
- Intact Insurance – Known for flexible auto and home insurance options
- Chubb Insurance – Specializes in commercial, liability, and high-value personal insurance
These companies:
- Set the pricing and terms for your policy
- Handle claims and payouts
- Offer insurance directly or through brokers
So, when you buy a policy, it’s the insurance company that provides the actual contract and takes on the risk.
What Is an Insurance Broker?
An insurance broker is a licensed professional who works on your behalf to find and explain the best insurance options available on the market. Brokers are independent. They don’t work for just one insurance company; instead, they work for you.
Brokers are regulated provincially. That means insurance brokers in Ontario must follow guidelines set by FSRA (Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario) and by RIBO (Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario), including strict rules around transparency, commissions, and ongoing education.
In practical terms, here’s what a broker like Levitt Insurance does:
- Gets to know your needs and risk profile
- Shops around with multiple insurance companies
- Compares quotes and coverage side by side
- Advises you on what options and coverages are best for your situation
- Helps you apply and manage your policy
- Supports you during claims
So when you’re wondering what insurance brokers do, the answer is: we make the whole insurance process easier, faster, and often cheaper for you.
What About Insurance Agents?
It’s easy to confuse brokers with agents, especially when people search for things like “insurance agents near me.”
Here’s the key difference:
- Agents typically represent one insurance company.
- Brokers represent you, the customer, and work with many companies to get the best policy for your needs.
So if you call an Aviva Insurance agent, they’ll only offer you Aviva Insurance products. But if you call Levitt Insurance, we’ll offer Aviva Insurance, Intact Insurance, Chubb Insurance, Economical Insurance, Travelers Insurance and many others, so you can compare.
That’s why it pays to ask: what do insurance sales agents do, and are they tied to one company? Because when you want unbiased advice, a broker is on your side and gives you more options.
Example: Shopping for Auto Insurance in Ontario
Let’s say you’re looking for car insurance in Toronto. You want competitive pricing, decent coverage, and someone to walk you through it.
If you go straight to an insurance provider, they’ll show you their best available policy, but nothing else.
But when you come to Levitt Insurance:
- We ask about your vehicle, driving history, and budget
- We pull quotes from top insurers
- We explain how each company calculates rates and what discounts you qualify for (for example, Aviva Insurance uses telematics to reward safe drivers, while Intact Insurance offers personalized bundle discounts)
- We break down the pros and cons of each option and advise you on what’s best for you
You get to make an informed decision, not a rushed one.
What About Home or Business Insurance?
The difference between brokers and insurers becomes even more important when you’re dealing with home, tenant, or commercial coverage. Policies can get complex, and not all companies specialize in the same things.
For example, at any point in time:
- Intact Insurance might have strong home and auto bundles with competitive pricing in Ontario suburbs.
- Economical Insurance could be ideal for businesses needing errors and omissions or commercial liability insurance.
- Aviva Insurance might offer great custom options for landlords, cottage owners, and even rideshare drivers.
Insurer’s premiums and preferences change all the time. We help you match your needs to the insurer that fits best. No guesswork, no jumping between websites.
Should You Work With a Broker or an Insurance Company?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Insurance Broker | Insurance Company | |
| Offers multiple quotes | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (only their own) |
| Works for you | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (they work for themselves) |
| Gives unbiased advice | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Helps you compare | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Manages claims with you | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (but with less advocacy) |
At the end of the day, working with a broker gives you more choice, more flexibility, and more support.
Choosing the right insurance is about more than price; it’s about peace of mind. When life throws something unexpected your way, you want to know that your coverage works for you, not just for the insurance company.
Whether you’re shopping for auto, home, or business insurance, Levitt Insurance helps you find the right fit. We work with trusted insurers, and we’ll make sure you understand every detail of your policy before you sign anything.
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This article is a brand contribution and may not reflect the views of Tech Help Canada. All content is reviewed by our editorial team before publication.
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