McDougall’s History

When you deal with McDougall Insurance, you’re dealing with people who live and work in your community. Since 1946, our company has provided qualified insurance and financial services to area families and businesses. McDougall’s friendly personal service won’t cost you any more, and you can always count on us for your insurance claims, when you need us the most.

Over the almost 70 years, McDougall has successfully grown to include over 140 employees and over 20 offices spread across Eastern Ontario, from Oshawa to Deep River to Carleton Place. Our story has been one of perseverance, family, and a commitment to customer service which we’ve clinged on since our company’s earliest roots, in 1934.

1934:

Haig Brothers decided to expand, hiring Lorne McDougall to reorganize their office, and Arthur Bateman to focus on their farm insurance.

1941:

Haig Brothers has its name changed as Lorne and Arthur become partners in the business. It is renamed Haig, McDougall and Bateman.

1946:

Lorne McDougall purchased interests of his two partners, and renamed the business Lorne McDougall Insurance Brokers’ Ltd.; office employed four staff. McDougall Insurance has effectively begun.

1947:

Lorne McDougall, along with 9 other businessmen, form the Hastings Fire & Accident Company. They sold a full package plan for automobiles for only $58.00.

1948:

Moved to new office space at 150 Front Street, Belleville; number of staff has grown to 14.

1952:

First branch office opened in Picton, Ontario. Would later be sold to Don Stanton Sr., the father of current Vice-President Don Stanton J.

1955:

McDougall enters the real estate field and merged with W. J. McCormick Reality Ltd. Lorne reverted to the insurance business exclusively after three years.

1956:

McDougall Insurance opens branch office to sell auto and property insurance in Kingston. This second branch office closed before the end of the 50s.

1957:

Lorne McDougall sells Hastings Fire & Accident Insurance Company to a Toronto firm. The business is renamed Gibraltar Insurance Company, which would be purchased by Axa, which would later become part of Intact Insurance.

1969:

Entered the life insurance field and contracted with Empire Life of Kingston. Now one of Belleville’s largest investment and financial product agencies.

1972:

Lorne McDougall steps down as president of McDougall Insurance after 26 years; giving the position to his brother Stuart McDougall. Lorne remains very active working for McDougall Insurance.

1976:

Extremely difficult year for McDougall Insurance, as president Stuart McDougall is killed tragically in a boating accident. Leaderless and struggling, McDougall Insurance reorganizes to survive.

1977:

Reorganization concludes with McDougall Insurance moving to a new space in Century Place, Belleville. McDougall Insurance becomes one of the first insurance agencies in a small town to make the move from storefront to actual office space. New officers are selected. Lorne McDougall’s son Ross McDougall becomes president, George Ward becomes the VP, and Ken Wheeler is given the duty of secretary-treasurer.

1981:

McDougall Insurance purchases Burrows & Morgan, a small brokerage in Belleville. This purchased marked the beginning of a period of intense growth for McDougall Insurance, fueled in part by the purchase of other insurance brokers.

1985:

Frank Downey Insurance Brokers is purchased. They operate in Madoc, focusing on selling car and home insurance.

1989:

New office opened in Trenton. Trenton sells commercial insurance, in addition to personal lines items like car insurance and home insurance. Ray Bickle Insurance Brokers also purchased, to add auto, home, business and life insurance products in Cobourg.

1990:

Expansion into Brighton through purchase of Fred Wake Insurance Brokers and Mitchell Insurance.

1991:

Eventful year for McDougall Insurance. Addition of AQ Financial from Bill Yeotes and addition of Paul Newell augments McDougall Insurance’s financial services. Also purchased Quinte Insurance Brokers2. On a sad note, founder Lorne McDougall passes away from Parkinson’s Disease.

1993:

Eagleson Insurance is purchased from Murray Eagleson, strengthening presence in Cobourg.

1994:

Purchased Stanton Insurance Brokers, providing McDougall Insurance with it’s first presence in Picton since the early 50s. Don Stanton stays on, eventually becoming vice president of McDougall Insurance.

1995:

Purchase of Gerald Joyce of Belleville, situating McDougall Insurance as the largest insurance broker in Belleville, and marking the end of the high-paced purchasing on the early 90s.

2000:

Courtice office opened, to provide auto, home commercial and life products to it’s residence. McDougall’s gains its first presence in Courtice, and the surrounding areas of Oshawa, Bowmanville and Clarington.

2001:

Purchase of Donald C. Johnon Insurance Brokers, adding offices in Eganville, Arnprior, Carleton Place and Barry’s Bay, establishing McDougall Insurance’s presence in the Ottawa Valley.

2002:

Purchase of Appleton Insurance in Oshawa. Couples with Courtice to give McDougall Insurance a strong presence east of Toronto. With Appleton in the fold, McDougall Insurance begins to sell auto, property, life and commercial insurance in Oshawa.

2004:

Amalgamated with Kingfisher Financial Services. Ross McDougall becomes longest tenured president in McDougall Insurance history, passing his father.

2008:

McDougall Insurance merges with Napanee’s George A. Grant Insurance brokerage. Chuck Airhart continues as manager in Napanee.

2009:

O’shaughnessy Insurance Brokers in Bancroft is added to McDougall Insurance, providing auto and home insurance to Bancroft and its surrounding area.

2010

Pearson Insurance is purchased to allow McDougall Insurance to sell insurance in the Pembrooke/Deep River area.

2011

Hickey Insurance is purchased, complementing the Pearson Insurance purchase and further strengthening McDougall Insurance’s position in Deep River. LaPalm Insurance purchased, giving McDougall Insurance two storefronts in Belleville.

2013

Purchase of Bickerton Insurance Brokers finalized, adding Kingston and Gananoque offices to bring the number of branches up to 20.