Oshawa brokerage launches streamlined online provider

Oshawa, Ont.-based Petley-Hare Insurance Brokers has launched a new website called Insurance Jack that offers a streamlined buying process for customers across Ontario.

It provides a quick and easy auto insurance quoting process and also online policy information access.

"Petley-Hare has been around for almost 100 years and the brick and mortar model is not broken, but we have expanded and now can do both (traditional and online business)," said Adam Hare, Insurance Jack’s vp of business development and marketing.

The Insurance Jack website, www.insurancejack.com, has been in the works for the past year and is available on desktops and mobile devices.

It provides a quick and easy auto insurance quoting process and also online policy information access.

"We want to rebuild the online experience," Mr. Hare told Thompson’s. "Why have customers answer 40 questions before we give them a quote?

"Typically, online conversion rates are low and drop off rates are high so we only ask for basic information and develop basic assumptions in order to give them something to start with."

He said that while it is starting with a tool for auto insurance, the company intends to eventually expand into all personal lines.

Mr. Hare said he believes that their new vision of online services can make insurance more interesting.

"Insurance is a painful transaction for so many people, and I think that we can change that.

"We provide services for people who are experiencing big milestones in life — buying a car, buying a home — and that’s something that is often forgotten.

"Our culture at Insurance Jack is that we can make a difference and provide a positive client experience and a smooth transition into purchasing insurance."

Insurance Jack is initially focusing on 12 Ontario cities: Barrie, Belleville, Cornwall, Kingston, Kitchener, London, North Bay, Ottawa, Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, Waterloo and Whitby.

Insurance Jack’s insurer partners include Intact, Echelon General, Aviva, Northbridge, Jevco, Coachman, Gore Mutual and The Guarantee.

Petley-Hare’s roots date back to 1922, when James Bickle founded the South Oshawa Insurance and Real Estate Co. Jim Hare bought the firm in 1963, changing the name to Petley-Hare, and Jim’s son David took over the reins in 1976. It also has an office in Bowmanville, Ont.