Dufferin Mutual – celebrating 120 years

February 11, 2015 · 0 Comments

Dufferin Mutual Insurance Company is celebrating its 120th Anniversary this year.

Originally founded in 1895 by local farmers who had difficulty finding fire insurance for their farms, they have evolved to offer high quality insurance products for homes, farms, commercial operations and automobile.

Rooted in the community they remain 100 per cent policy owner owned, and have protected generations of policy holders.

Currently they have 11 staff members and six directors, with the majority of their dedicated team living in Dufferin County. As such, they proudly support several local community organizations. As a provincially licensed insurance company located in the town of Shelburne, their products are distributed through highly qualified independent insurance brokers throughout Ontario. Their largest broker, Crewson Insurance Broker Ltd., is also located within the Town of Shelburne.

Steeped in history in Dufferin community you can find a wide range of historical archives at Dufferin Mutual’s office. Currently they have many of their artifacts, including the first minute book dated 1895 as well as pictures, claims and their seal press on display in a beautifully crafted showcase made especially for them. Included in these artifacts you will see names of past presidents such as William Dynes, whom the old Shelburne hospital is now named after as well as William Jelly who founded Shelburne.

Originally called Dufferin Farmers’ Mutual Insurance Company, they later changed their name in view of the changing nature of insurance, to what it is know as today.

In 1951 their first office was located at 110 Adeline Street, which is now occupied by Crewson Insurance Brokers. The large building that Dufferin Mutual currently occupies was built in 1993 with future growth and expansion in mind.

As technology has improved, president and CEO Edward Forbes says they are looking to “right size” the space they occupy. Dufferin Mutual is 80 per cent paperless, so they are currently looking at ways to minimize overhead and streamline. With that being said, staying in Dufferin County and most likely in Shelburne is something that is mandated in their by-laws.

With their AGM set to take place on March 23, Edward encourages all policy holders to attend and help celebrate 120 years of success, and says they look forward to continued growth in the future.

To learn more about Dufferin Mutual go to www.dufferinmutual.com or follow them on social media at www.facebook.com/dufferinmutual or on twitter @DufferinMutual

By Michelle Austen

Photos by Michelle Austen
Lisa White, Elaine Henderson, Jill Armstrong, Leanne Doig, Katherine Ionno, Jessica Emmons, Diane Craig, Joan Scriver, Ed Forbes.