Commercial Insurance Solutions in Ontario
From general liability to specialty risks, we insure Ontario businesses with access to 25+ markets. Contractors, restaurants, manufacturers, tech companies, hard-to-place commercial insurance and high-risk commercial operations.
The Insurance Lab is Ontario's trusted commercial and high risk insurance broker. A RIBO-licensed Ontario brokerage serving businesses and communities across the province, including declined or cancelled policies and newcomer-owned businesses.
Commercial Insurance Solutions in Ontario
Tailored business insurance for every industry. We work with standard and specialty markets.
Commercial insurance in Ontario is a business policy package that combines Commercial General Liability (CGL), property, equipment, professional liability and specialty endorsements to protect Ontario businesses from lawsuits, property loss and business interruption. The Insurance Lab places coverage from 25+ standard and specialty markets, including high-risk and hard-to-place commercial accounts that other brokers decline.
Standard vs High-Risk Commercial Markets
| Factor | Standard Market | High-Risk / Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Carriers | Intact, Aviva, Economical, Wawanesa, Northbridge | Echelon, Pafco, Cansure, Lloyd's, Facility Association |
| Underwriting time | 24 to 72 hours | 3 to 10 business days |
| Typical accounts | Office, retail, professional, low-claim contractors | Roofing, demolition, vacant, prior fire, cancelled, newcomer |
| Minimum premium | $500 to $1,500 | $2,500 to $7,500+ |
| Pay plans | Monthly auto-debit | Quarterly or premium finance |
| Path forward | Standard renewals | Rehabilitate to standard over 2 to 3 clean years |
Tenant Legal Liability is one of the most common reasons Ontario landlords come to us. If you rent room-by-room to multiple unrelated tenants, see our rooming house insurance page. If you rent to post-secondary students, see our student housing insurance page for a tenant legal liability and landlord program that fits.
High-Risk & Hard-to-Place Commercial Insurance
Declined or cancelled? Cancelled for non-payment? Newcomer driver or new business with no insurance history? As a high risk insurance broker Ontario, we place coverage other brokers turn away.
I'm a high risk insurance broker Ontario, what do I do if my insurance was cancelled in Ontario?▼
If your auto, home or commercial policy was cancelled in Ontario, whether for non-payment, misrepresentation, multiple claims or a conviction, you usually have a short window to secure replacement coverage before driving or operating becomes illegal. The Insurance Lab is a high risk insurance broker in Ontario that places coverage through specialty markets such as Echelon, Pafco, Cansure and the Facility Association. We rehabilitate clients back into standard markets over time.
Which brokers accept high-risk drivers and hard-to-place commercial accounts?▼
Most standard brokers will quietly decline drivers with impaired driving convictions, multiple tickets, cancelled policies or contractors with claims history. The Insurance Lab specifically takes on high-risk driver insurance Toronto and hard-to-place commercial insurance, including roofers, demolition contractors, restaurants with prior fires, vacant buildings and new businesses with no insurance history.
Can a new immigrant with no Canadian driving history get insurance?▼
Yes. Newcomer drivers with no Canadian driving record are one of the most common files we place. We work with markets that recognize foreign driving experience from many countries, accept international licence translations, and offer competitive rates instead of treating new immigrants as brand-new G1 drivers. We do the same on the commercial side for newcomer-owned businesses with no Canadian insurance history.
Can you insure a brand new business with no insurance history?▼
Yes. New businesses with no insurance history, including contractors, restaurants, cleaners, tech start-ups and home-based businesses, are placed every week through our specialty commercial markets. We package CGL, property and any required professional liability into one policy that satisfies landlords, clients and licensing bodies.