Jones DesLauriers in Ottawa

Jones DesLauriers in Ottawa (formerly Binks Insurance) has looked after the needs of New Car Dealerships in the Ottawa area since 1979, working with Pitcher & Doyle since 1983. We are now backed by the full strength of Jones DesLauriers, one of the founding partners of Navacord.

We are pleased to announce that as of June 1st, Binks Insurance has now rebranded as Jones DesLauriers in Ottawa.

Jones DesLauriers, one of Navacord’s largest Broker Partners, is pleased to enhance its presence in Ottawa by integrating Binks Insurance and Risk Balance Insurance into its brand, effective June 1. Both companies have been collaborating with Jones DesLauriers since joining the Navacord group, and the combined expertise of the Binks’ and Risk Balance’s teams strongly positions Jones DesLauriers to service businesses in the Ottawa community.

Binks Insurance, founded in 1918, brings deep roots within the Ottawa area to the Jones DesLauriers name as a multi-generational brokerage. In operation for over a century, Binks is well-known for their expertise in servicing automotive dealerships, non-profit organizations, and high-risk commercial placements.

“By joining forces with Risk Balance and coming together to establish Jones DesLauriers in Ottawa, we are confident that our clients will continue to be in good hands thanks to the knowledge and deep history we share as two Ottawa-based businesses. We look forward to achieving even greater success together,” says Harry S. Binks, President of Binks Insurance and the third-generation leader of the brokerage.

Risk Balance Inc. Insurance, established in 2016, has developed a reputation as a leading Ottawa brokerage in knowledge-based sectors including technology and life sciences, as well as non-profit organizations.

“We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead as we come together with Binks Insurance, and we are optimistic about this next chapter,” says Neil Moloney, President of Risk Balance. “Moving forward, we seek to make an even greater impact servicing our niche sectors as Jones DesLauriers in Ottawa.”

In addition to amplifying Jones DesLauriers’ presence in Ottawa, Harry Binks and Neil Moloney have a shared history in the Ottawa insurance scene. This moment brings them together once again to serve the unique needs of their clients under one fortified business.

“We are pleased to expand our footprint in Ottawa with the additional location of Petrela Winter and through bringing the Binks and Risk Balance businesses together under the strength of the Jones DesLauriers name,” says Shawn DeSantis, President and CEO, Navacord. “The combined expertise of all three brokerages underscores Navacord’s commitment to growth and excellence in serving diverse and specialized sectors in our nation’s capital.”

Glad to support great community services for families in Ottawa. Jewish Family Services of Ottawa is an outstanding organization.

Thank you Binks Insurance Brokers for your supporting not only the work of JFS, but also the entire Family Services sector.

🙀You know what's really scary? Not understanding your insurance coverage!

Fortunately, our friends at Business Insurers of the Carolinas (BIC), PSI's Preferred Provider for pet-sitter insurance in the U.S., have been answering pet sitters' top "what if" questions all year long in PSI's member magazine, Pet Sitter's World.

PSI members, the Oct-Dec '23 issue was mailed to you last month, but you can also access the digital version at www.petsit.com/magazine.

Be sure to check this article out, and contact BIC directly if you have any questions about your insurance coverage!

🍁We encourage our Canadian members to reach out to Binks Insurance Brokers, PSI's Preferred Provider for pet-sitter insurance in Canada.

History repeats itself. For the second time now, a Harry S. Binks is looking back on more than a half-century in the insurance business.

In 1973, my father John Stuart Binks had just died, and it was either get into the business or see it sold. I had to obtain my license quickly, and after passing a 2 week course at McMaster University, I became the youngest insurance agent in Ontario at the time.

After attending Queen's University for my Bachelor of Commerce, Ward Strickland and I purchased the business from my mother in 1980. Geoffrey Binks and Diana Binks joined us later, and over the next twenty years, we grew the business to one of the largest independent brokerages in Eastern Ontario, specializing in auto dealers, high tech firms, contractors and general commercial lines.

We formed a subsidiary specializing in credit & political risk (Millennium CreditRisk), another specializing in technology risk (Globalex Ottawa) and another called Binks Life and HealthRisk with Steve Levinson. All were spun off into independent firms.

I was involved in various industry organizations, as President of the Ottawa Insurance Brokers Association , Chairman of CSIO - Centre for Study of Insurance Operations, and as a Director of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario.

In 2010, we sold our Personal Lines Division to focus on Commercial Lines, and in 2022, we became part of Navacord, gaining access to the resources of one of Canada's largest commercial insurance brokers with over 200 insurers represented and an infrastructure to support us, giving us Local Touch and National Strength. Navacord is truly building the Great Canadian Brokerage, and I am proud to be a partner.

When I look back over my career in this business, I must say that I have never been bored. There were always new coverages to learn, and better ways of providing our clients with risk management and insurance advice. It truly is a noble business, helping clients continue to operate after a major physical disaster, and helping restore them to some sense of normalcy.

Beyond anything, however, it is the people I have met along the way who inspired me to be better, both within and outside of the industry. Their enthusiasm for helping, and their kindness, often stopped me in my tracks. My daughters Allison, Erin and Lauren always had my back. And I am eternally grateful for all of those staff over the years who gave of their hard work and loyalty to help the business succeed.

And I am grateful to still be a part of something almost romantic. With Property and Casualty insurance, bridges can be built, manufacturing and retail don't face huge unprotected risks, and property owners sleep well at night, knowing that their assets are protected. Insurance is a solid foundation upon which risk-takers can build and innovate and reach for the stars.

I am proud to be an insurance broker. And I look forward to seeing what the future brings.

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Diana Catherine Binks-Proulx on Monday, June 13, 2022 at the age of 71.

Diana worked tirelessly as our Comptroller at Binks Insurance Brokers for over 20 years, and contributed greatly to our success over that time. She was also a Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker. We will miss her.

Her obituary follows:

https://beechwoodottawa.ca/en/services/diana-catherine-binks-proulx

So you think you've been hacked? What now? Join us online next Wednesday, May 12th at 9:30 AM for a lively discussion of the technical, legal and insurance issues!

Our webinar will feature a panel of experts from Grade A , Luminant Digital Security, Perley-Robertson, Hill & McDougall, and Binks Insurance Brokers Limited. This will be an interactive session with opportunities for questions, we look forward to sharing our lessons learned and prevention methods.

Register here:

https://www.gradea.ca/webinar-so-you-think-youve-been-hacked/