About Sutherland Insurance
Sutherland Insurance (John Sutherland and Sons Limited) is a fifth-generation, independently owned insurance brokerage at 240 Victoria Road North in Guelph, Ontario, founded in 1870 and incorporated in 1912. Sutherland Insurance places personal, commercial and employee-benefits insurance across Ontario under a RIBO licence.
- Legal name
- John Sutherland and Sons Limited, incorporated 1912
- Founded
- 1870, in Chepstow, Ontario
- Ownership
- Independently owned by the Sutherland family, five generations
- Head office
- 240 Victoria Road North, Guelph, Ontario N1E 6L8
- Employees
- 59
- Brokerage licence
- Active, in good standing
- Network
- Member, Canadian Broker Network since January 2025
Who leads Sutherland Insurance today?
Sutherland Insurance is led by Zac Sutherland, the fifth-generation chief executive, and Steve Kurtz, Chief Revenue Officer and Partner. The brokerage has been owned by the same Guelph family since 1870.
Zac Sutherland, CEO
Zac Sutherland is the chief executive of Sutherland Insurance (John Sutherland and Sons Limited) in Guelph, Ontario. He is the fifth generation of the Sutherland family to lead the brokerage, which has operated continuously since 1870, and became its president in 2023.
Steve Kurtz, Chief Revenue Officer
Steve Kurtz is Chief Revenue Officer and Partner at Sutherland Insurance in Guelph, Ontario. He leads sales, marketing, business development and revenue growth for the brokerage, which has placed insurance for Ontario families and businesses since 1870, and is part of the firm’s fifth generation of leadership.
How long has Sutherland Insurance been in business?
Sutherland Insurance has brokered insurance since 1870. The business was incorporated as John Sutherland and Sons Limited in 1912 and is now run by the fifth generation of the same Guelph family. The timeline below sets out the dated milestones.
First generation
Second generation
Third generation
Fourth generation
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1870 | John Sutherland begins his insurance career in Chepstow, Ontario, founding what becomes Sutherland Insurance |
| 1907–1922 | Second generation: John Jr., James and Robert Sutherland join the firm |
| 1912 | The business is incorporated as John Sutherland and Sons Limited |
| 1968 | Third generation: Bob Sutherland Jr. purchases the firm |
| 1980 | Fourth generation: Jeffrey Robert Sutherland joins |
| 1995 | Jeffrey Robert Sutherland becomes president |
| 2023 | Fifth generation: Zac Sutherland becomes president |
| 2024 | Sutherland Insurance joins the Canadian Broker Network |
Which insurers does Sutherland Insurance work with?
Sutherland Insurance compares more than 10 personal-lines carriers and places commercial business across more than 45 carriers, plus multiple managing general agents. The named contracts below are the ones it holds directly.
Named markets include Aviva, Aviva Elite (specialty), Definity, CAA, HD Mutual, Echelon, Commonwell Mutual, Jevco, Hagerty, Max Insurance and Northbridge Insurance.
Where is Sutherland Insurance located?
Sutherland Insurance works from one office at 240 Victoria Road North in Guelph, Ontario, and is licensed to place business across the province. There is no call centre and no branch network.
The brokerage answers its own phone at 519-822-0160, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
What licensing does Sutherland Insurance hold?
Sutherland Insurance holds a Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario licence for property and casualty insurance, active and in good standing. Life and travel insurance are licensed separately through the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario, and Sutherland Insurance holds both.
Verify the brokerage licence with the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario. Life and travel licensing is held through the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario.
What does Sutherland Insurance do differently?
An in-house claims representative is available to every Sutherland Insurance client on a claim, alongside the broker who placed the policy. It is an independent brokerage, so it compares multiple insurers rather than selling one company's product. A person answers the phone during business hours.
How Sutherland Insurance handles a claim · The team, by division · The Canadian Broker Network
What is the Canadian Broker Network?
The Canadian Broker Network is a national group of independent Canadian brokerages that share market access, specialist expertise and buying power. Sutherland Insurance joined in January 2025, which gives a Guelph client access to markets and specialisms a single independent office would not reach on its own.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Sutherland Insurance?
Sutherland Insurance is owned by the Sutherland family and has been since 1870. It is independently owned, not part of a national brokerage chain or owned by an insurer. Zac Sutherland is the fifth-generation chief executive, and the business is incorporated as John Sutherland and Sons Limited.
Is Sutherland Insurance independent?
Yes. Sutherland Insurance is an independent brokerage, which means it compares coverage across the insurers it holds contracts with rather than selling one company’s product. It compares more than 10 personal-lines carriers and places commercial business across more than 45 carriers.
Get Your Insurance Quote
A licensed Sutherland Insurance broker compares the available markets on every quote request.
Get Your Insurance Quote Call 519-822-0160
A real person answers, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.