The FINANCIAL -- Aviva Canada Inc, one of Canada’s leading providers of home, auto and business insurance, and Hagerty Insurance Agency, one of the world’s leading providers of collector vehicle insurance, on March 8 announced that Hagerty collector vehicle insurance is now available in Ontario.

The news follows the companies’ partnership announcement in June of 2009.

Under the partnership, Aviva Canada (through Elite Insurance Company) will underwrite Hagerty Insurance in Canada and assist in distribution via their broker network, with Hagerty providing service, call centre operations and marketing support.

The move adds to Aviva’s five decades of expertise in leisure and lifestyle insurance and allows Canadian enthusiasts access to similar Hagerty insurance products and services that are currently offered in the United States and the United Kingdom. The Hagerty products will complement the Silver Wheel Plan and Custom Wheel Plan products that Aviva continues to provide to its customers through Lant & Co Insurance Brokers Limited and their associate brokers across Canada.

Hagerty will extend its “Hagerty Plus” program to Canadian enthusiasts. The membership-based program includes benefits such as flatbed towing and roadside assistance, regulatory advocacy, youth programs and support of the Collectors Foundation - a nonprofit organization helping to preserve the collector car hobby through grants to clubs and museums, and scholarships to accredited colleges with special automotive programs. In addition, members also have access to Hagerty’s online information resources and receive Hagerty’s Magazine, a quarterly publication designed to inform, educate and entertain car enthusiasts everywhere.

Featured in Hagerty’s programs are their “Agreed Value” insurance policy, a single liability fee, flexible usage with no mileage restrictions and the ability for enthusiasts to pick their own repair shop in the event of a claim. Hagerty is one of the few true collector car specialists in Canada.

“Our commitment to serving Canadian enthusiasts continues to grow with the addition of Ontario,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance. “Collector car owners in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario are now able to take advantage of the unique products and services we offer. In partnership with Aviva Canada, we are excited about being actively involved in the Canadian collector car community, by providing unique coverages and a host of related services that support the collector lifestyle.”

“By joining forces with Hagerty, we can now offer our customers greater access to specialty insurance for their collector cars through brokers in the Canadian market,” stated Greg Somerville, executive vice president of broker distribution, Aviva Canada Inc. “This is great news for Aviva brokers, as it significantly increases their ability to provide specialty insurance products through one of the country’s most trusted insurers.”

Hagerty Insurance is now available in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.

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