A neutral profile of Wawanesa Insurance: when it started, where it is based and where to find its own claims and complaint information. AdvisorPro is not connected to Wawanesa and does not rate, rank or recommend insurers.
At a glance
Started: 1896, as The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company, in Wawanesa, Manitoba. It was founded by Alonzo Fowler Kempton and Charles Kerr as a mutual company by and for farmers
Head office: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Owned by: A mutual company, owned by its policyholders rather than by outside shareholders
Names you may see: Wawanesa Insurance and Wawanesa Life
A short history
1896: Founded in Wawanesa, Manitoba.
1926: Begins offering automobile insurance.
1929: Receives a federal (Dominion) charter, allowing it to offer coverage in every province.
1961: Wawanesa Life sells its first policy.
1975: Enters California, becoming the first Canadian general insurer to enter the United States market.
A mutual company is owned by its policyholders. That tells you who owns the company. It does not tell you how it treats customers.
Dealing with Wawanesa
Claims, questions and changes. Use the phone number, website or app on your policy documents. If you bought through a broker or an agent, they can also help you start a claim or make a change.
A complaint. Start with Wawanesa's own complaint process, which you can find on its website or in your policy documents. If it is not resolved, there are independent bodies you can turn to. See where insurer complaints data and help live.
Companies change names, owners and brands over time, so confirm anything that matters to you on the company's own website or in your policy documents. This page uses the name only to say which company it is about.
AdvisorPro does not rate, rank or recommend insurers, and no single company is the best choice for everyone. What matters depends on your situation: the cover you need, the policy wording, how you want to deal with the company, and its financial strength. Our guides explain how to look at each of those.
Is AdvisorPro connected to Wawanesa?
No. AdvisorPro is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wawanesa, and it does not sell insurance. Company names are used only to say which company a page is about.
Can I get a policy from Wawanesa through AdvisorPro?
AdvisorPro is not an insurer and does not sell policies. It can connect you with a licensed advisor, who can explain which insurers they work with and what each one offers.
More in Insurance companies in Canada: plain facts
General information, not advice or a recommendation. Rules differ by province and by insurer, so confirm with your insurer or a licensed advisor. This page was last checked in November 2026.