The right time and the right opportunity — that’s what prompted Colin Brien to have his firm join Acera Insurance in July 2024.
With his business partner looking to retire, Colin was considering his options when Acera Insurance came along with an unbeatable offer: to be the flagship Atlantic Canada location for the national brokerage.
But helping to establish Acera Insurance’s roots in Atlantic Canada was only part of the draw for Colin.
“There were some real appealing things that stood out to me — the first Atlantic location, the employee ownership model and of course access to all the markets.”
Colin Brien, Area Managing Director | Atlantic Canada
The right choice for employees
Taking care of his Jacobi Brien Insurance team was a top priority for Colin when choosing a partner.
Ensuring his entire team would remain intact with their same core responsibilities was a significant factor for his decision to partner with Acera Insurance.
The opportunity for his team to become employee-owners was an added benefit — one that approximately half of his group has embraced.
“I wanted to make sure the deal would be good for all the employees involved, too.”
Colin Brien, Area Managing Director | Atlantic Canada
More options for clients
The Nova Scotia team is largely concentrated on commercial insurance, with a deep focus in construction, hospitality, real estate and golf courses.
Colin says they have experienced positive momentum with carriers and are now better able to negotiate terms for clients through Acera Insurance’s access to more than 100 insurers and specialty underwriters.
“You have to have size in this business. We’ve really seen that with size comes greater weight with insurers,” Colin says, referencing the core benefit of Acera Insurance’s multi-billions in gross written premium.
Acera Insurance also has in-house underwriters and several in-house specialty programs, which Colin says provides another avenue to secure competitive and comprehensive coverage for clients.
Acera Insurance has dedicated teams that provide expert insurance and risk management solutions through our specialty programs, including:
- childcare and private schools
- agriculture and equine
- construction (wrap-up liability)
- high-net-worth individuals
- foster parents
- real estate
- Indigenous communities and organizations
- immigration and citizenship consultants
- jewellers
- religious and faith-based organizations
- RVs
- firearms
- travel
- adventure travel/recreation operators
- motorcycles
Growth in the forecast
As a nationwide organization — with locations from the Pacific to the Atlantic and into the Territories — Acera Insurance continues to focus on expanding in Eastern Canada. Colin is looking forward to the role his Nova Scotia team will play in supporting this goal.
“I want to see our team grow to the point where we’re a big player in Atlantic Canada, similar to how Acera Insurance is in the West and increasingly in Ontario, too.”
Colin Brien, Area Managing Director | Atlantic Canada
Acera Insurance offers brokerages the unique opportunity to build scale while remaining independent and Canadian. Discover how your brokerage can grow market access, retain independence and gain nationwide expertise by partnering with Acera Insurance.