The main objective of insurance companies is to grow their business and provide a wide range of services to their customers. Therefore insurance companies around the world have teamed up with brokerage companies, banks and other financial institutions to grow their businesses and provide a wider range of services to their customers. This is certainly the case for the Canadian insurance industry, which has experienced numerous acquisitions and mergers in recent years.
The largest insurance companies in Canada hold combined assets of almost $2.6 trillion, indicating an industry that is on the path to continued growth, despite the challenges the sector faces. These insurers also registered a combined $227 billion in gross written premiums (GWP), an 11% rise from last year’s $204 billion. Unsurprisingly, most of these companies anticipate a rosy outlook for their businesses this year. Below are the five largest Canadian insurance companies, defined by their total assets in 2022. Revenue (or income) figures are provided as well. Revenue amounts can reflect insurance premiums charged to policyholders, earnings from investments, and other financial products embedded in investment products, such as mutual funds.
It’s important to note that some financial firms might be larger than the companies listed here, but their insurance businesses, if they have them, are not a major driver of their revenue. This list focuses on diversified insurance companies and reports figures as of the end of 2022. Figures are stated as provided by each company, whether in Canadian dollars and converted to U.S. dollars, or as U.S. dollars alone. Conversion is approximately C$1 to $0.73 U.S. dollars.
MAIN HEADINGS –
- – Manulife Financial is the largest insurance provider in Canada and offers a broad range of financial services.
- – Great-West Lifeco, Inc., the second-largest insurer, operates as a holding company for six subsidiaries.
- – Coming in at number three, Desjardins Group offers a mix of insurance, wealth management, and personal and business services.
- – Fourth on the list, Sun Life Financial, based in Toronto, is one of the oldest insurance providers, having been established in 1865.
- – Fairfax Financial is a relative newcomer to the insurance scene, having been founded in 1985.
The top five Canadian insurance companies as of the end of 2022, as measured by total assets, are Manulife Financial Corp., Great-West Lifeco, Desjardins Group, Sun Life Financial, and Fairfax Financial Holdings. About which are described further.
Manulife Financial Corp.
Main Summary – Total assets: $849 billion , Gross written premiums: $44.1 billion , Headquarters: Toronto, ON
Manulife Financial (MFC) is Canada’s largest insurance provider, as well as providing other financial services such as financial advice, wealth management, and asset management solutions. Manulife had total assets of C$848.94 billion ($622.92 billion U.S.) as of year-end 2022. Headquartered in Toronto, the company earned C$17.14 billion in revenue ($12.58 billion U.S.) in 2022, which included insurance premiums and income earned from investing those premiums.
Manulife is not only Canada’s largest insurance company in terms of total assets, it also ranks among the world’s top 10 in the category. Apart from insurance products, the Toronto-based insurance giant offers financial advisory and wealth and asset management services for individuals, groups, and organizations. The insurer has offices across Canada and has a global reach spanning the US – primarily as John Hancock – Europe, and Asia.
Manulife operates in Canada, Asia, and Europe as well as in the United States, through its John Hancock subsidiary. At the end of 2022, the company served over 34 million clients with the help of over 40,000 employees and more than 116,000 agents.
Manulife. “Our Story: Our Mission.”
The firm was established as The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company in 1887 and sold its first out-of-country policy in Bermuda in 1893. In 2002, the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) granted the company approval to open a branch in Guangzhou. It was the first license granted to a foreign-invested joint-venture life insurance company to open a branch in China. Manulife now has licensed branches in more than 50 cities on the Chinese mainland.
Great-West Lifeco
Main Summary – Total assets: $701.4 billion , Gross written premiums: $64.7 billion , Headquarters: Winnipeg, MB
Great-West Lifeco, Inc. is a financial services provider headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada and operates as a holding company for six subsidiaries. It provides insurance to customers in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Great-West Lifeco’s portfolio consists of the following:
- Life and health insurance products
- Reinsurance products
- Retirement and investment services
- Wealth management services
In 2022, Great-West Lifeco had C$701.45 billion ($514.36 billion U.S.) in total assets. It generated C$44.66 billion in revenue ($32.79 billion U.S.), which included insurance premiums, deposits, and income from investments such as dividends. Great-West Lifeco offers a variety of insurance policies, including life, health, and disability insurance. The company employes more than 31,000 people and has 234,500 advisor relationships serving 38 million customers.
Desjardins Group
Main Summary – Total assets: $407.1 billion , Gross written premiums: $12.2 billion , Headquarters: Lévis, QC
Desjardins is an insurance provider headquartered in Quebec, Canada. It offers insurance products as well as a full range of other financial services, including wealth management and personal and business services. Desjardins functions as a financial services cooperative and is the biggest federation of credit unions – also called caisses populaires – in North America. The insurer boasts the largest regional presence of any financial institution in Québec, as well as a strong presence in Ontario. In these two provinces, the firm has 195 participating caisses. It also has 412 accredited trainers from 114 partner organizations across the country.
In 2022, it had 58,774 employees and 7.5 million members and clients. At the end of 2022, its total assets were C$407.1 billion ($298.78 billion U.S.). Its total income was C$18.04 billion ($13.23 billion U.S.). Desjardins has more than 58,774 employees and 7.5 million members and clients throughout Canada.
FAST FACT – Insurance companies make money by charging customers fees (called premiums) for various types of financial protection (or coverage) and then investing those amounts to generate additional returns.
Sun Life Financial
Main Summary – Total assets: $330.9 billion , Gross written premiums: $29.1 billion , Headquarters: Toronto, ON
Sun Life Financial (SLF) is based in Toronto and is one of the oldest insurance providers, having been established in 1865. It offers health insurance policies, investment products, and wealth management services. The company has clients in Asia and the United Kingdom, as well as in North America.
Sun Life Financial had 52,400 employees, 85 million clients, and 97,400 advisors as of the end of 2022. Its total assets were C$330.9 billion ($242.66 billion U.S.). Total revenue was C$23.32 billion ($17.09 billion U.S.), including insurance premiums and segregated fund deposits, which are life insurance products embedded within mutual funds.
Sun Life offers an array of insurance and asset management services. These include:
- Life insurance
- Health insurance
- Disability insurance
- Critical illness insurance
- Dental insurance
- Long-term care insurance
- Business insurance
- Savings and retirement income plans
- Mutual and segregated funds
- Brokerage services
Fairfax Financial Holdings
Main Summary – Total assets: $92.1 billion , Gross written premiums: $27.6 billion , Headquarters: Toronto, Canada
Fairfax Financial Holdings has its headquarters in Toronto, Canada. Its major focus is property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, plus the related investment management. As of the end of 2022, Fairfax Financial had total assets of US$92.12 billion. Total revenue was US$28.05 billion. Fairfax Financial was founded in 1985 on the principles of fair, honest dealings and friendly acquisition of companies. It operates in a decentralized fashion, with each of its companies run by its own President but overseen from a financial review and performance standpoint by Fairfax Financial.
FAQ’s – The 5 Big Names in Canadian Insurance
What Is the Largest Insurance Market in the World?
The U.S. is the largest, with revenue from life and non-life insurance of $2.8 trillion. China and Japan are the next largest markets.
Where Does Canada Rank Among the World’s Insurers?
Canada is the ninth largest market in the world, as measured by life and non-life premium value.
The Bottom Line – Top 5 Big Insurance Companies In Canada
Canada’s insurance industry has grown and diversified in recent years. Some companies have added wealth management, asset management, and personal and business financial products and services to their range of insurance offerings. The top five Canadian insurance companies as of the end of 2022, as measured by total assets, are Manulife Financial Corp., Great-West Lifeco, Desjardins Group, Sun Life Financial, and Fairfax Financial Holdings.