In the late 19th century, a time when fire insurance was both expensive and difficult to find in rural Ontario, two farmers from Usborne and Hibbert townships created a mutual insurance company to help their neighbours find stability and peace of mind.

Alex Duncan from Usborne and Robert Gardiner, who lived on the Hibbert boundary, launched Usborne & Hibbert Mutual Fire Insurance Company in 1876 with a simple idea that continues to guide the company 145 years later. Neighbours helping neighbours.

Every policy holder is also a shareholder in the company, and the board of directors is elected from the policy holders. This not only creates an exceptional level of local accountability; it also entitles every policy holder to a share of the company’s profits.