Sutherland Insurance in Guelph has been an insurance broker to the Guelph area since 1870. We provide insurance services across Ontario including Automobile, Property, Business and Life insurance. We are here to help with all of your insurance needs!

Our Philosophy and Mission

"Hard working, as one, to satisfy and exceed customers' expectations using the latest technology and good old fashioned one-on-one personal service. Our customers will be greeted live and will never get voice mail unless they request it. We will strive every day to earn and maintain your trust in us."

John Sutherland and Sons Limited has been a family business for five generations. The founder, John Sutherland, began his insurance career in 1870 and since then, our brokerage firm has grown to be one of the largest in the area. We deal in all forms of insurance and service many commercial, retail and professional establishments in the City of Guelph, surrounding area and in and out of the Province of Ontario, along with a large personal lines portfolio.

Over the years, we have aligned ourselves with only the best insurance companies that have established reputations for reliability, stability and dependable service. We take pride in our integrity and hold in strict confidence all information acquired in our professional capacity.

Our qualified staff is fully trained in every aspect of the insurance field, and their expertise will assure you that your insurance requirements will be properly assessed and tailor-made to meet your specific needs.

Quality Service...The Tradition Continues

John Sutherland

John Sutherland began his insurance career in 1870 with the Gore Fire Insurance of Galt. By 1875 he joined Robert Cunningham Agency in Guelph, which was to become the foundation of John Sutherland and Sons.

As an Insurance agent for the Cunningham agency in the 1870's, he made trips to Wellington, Bruce, Grey and Huron Counties by horse and buggy, and in the winter by sleigh. At the age of thirty-five he married the former Annie Saunders of Paisley and they had six children.

Many stories have been told of his prowess as an insurance man. When the railway line was established by 1875 to reach Paisley, he traveled by rail, then rented a horse and buggy or sleigh and drove to outlying villages to see clients and find new ones. In the 1890s there was a severe fire in the village of Chepstow, which wiped out the hotel, some stores, and dwellings upstairs. No one had any insurance, and the next day, before the ashes were cold, who should come riding into town with a big hamper of vittles but Johnnie Sutherland from Guelph. He stayed the whole day, and by sundown, he had signed up the entire village.

2nd GENERATION


John Sutherland Jr.

James Sutherland

Robert Sutherland

The two oldest sons, John and James, joined the firm in 1907 and by 1922 the youngest son Robert (who was named after Robert Cunningham) followed. Two daughters, Mary and Margaret, worked in the office and Anne went on to gain distinction as the poetess. In association with his sons, the present Company of John Sutherland and Sons was incorporated in 1912. By 1932 he disposed of his interest in the company to his three sons but remained the president.

3rd GENERATION

In 1949, Bob Jr., son of Robert Sr., worked as an office boy while being taught the insurance business by his father and uncle John. In 1968, Bob Jr. purchased the firm from his father and assumed the presidency and Robert Sr. continued as a senior executive until his death in 1978.

 

4th GENERATION

After the untimely death of Bob Jr., his eldest son Jeffrey Robert joined the firm in 1980. He worked his way from the bottom up and was named president in 1995. He continues to provide his wealth of knowledge and insurance accumen to our clients today.

 

5th GENERATION

After spending summers working in the office from the age of 13 and learning all areas of the business, Zac Sutherland joined the brokerage full time upon completion of his BBA degree. Proudly representing our 5th generation, Zac was named President in 2023.