The Co-operators insurance company has had an office in Bradford for the past 11 years,so the celebration on Sept. 12 wasn’t exactly a ‘Grand Opening.’
It was a Grand Re-opening, to mark the relaunch of the company under new ownership, and the expansion of The Co-operators' Bradford team.
Eric Andrews, CIP, took over as owner of The Co-operators at 442 Holland St. West about a month and a half ago - and on Thursday held a special celebration to introduce his team to the community.
For Andrews, it was truly a special occasion.
His grandfather started his own insurance agency; his father and aunts have been involved in the business and, Andrews said, “I’m finally, after my entire life wanting to do this, fulfilling my dream.”
Dad, Rick Andrews was on hand to provide family support and help pour out the champagne to celebrate.
“It’s so great that young people are taking this job on,” said Bradford West Gwillimbury Coun. Ron Orr, who is also in the insurance sector. “This is a growing community. There are a lot of people looking for services.”
The theme of a growing community was repeated by representatives of the Bradford Board of Trade, and other members of town council who attended the ribbon-cutting.
“A grand opening brings jobs and opportunity, but it’s more satisfying to see business retention,” said Coun. Raj Sandhu – a reference to the continuing presence of The Co-operators in Bradford.
Sandhu noted that there is a “booming demand. With so many new families calling Bradford home, they will be seeking your services.”
The Co-operators provides home, auto, life, group, business, farm and travel insurance, as well as financial advice on investment – and a toll-free claims line.
Mayor Rob Keffer presented Andrews with a certificate of congratulations, and a possible explanation of a recent study that ranked Bradford drivers among the worst in the province, based on reported tickets and collisions.
Mayor Keffer suggested the ranking might be due to a local driver training instructor who told his students to apply for insurance online – first reporting a clean driving record, and then reporting traffic tickets, to see the impact on their insurance rates.
When the students re-entered their data, claiming to have tickets, it may have skewed the statistics.
“It’s a nice story anyway,” Keffer said, as he welcomed Andrews to the community. “I don’t think we’re any worse than anywhere else.”
Andrews was accompanied by wife Brandy and children Ryan and Chloë – the next generation in the insurance business.
The Co-operators, 442 Holland St. W., Unit 3 in Bradford, can be reached at 905-778-1661 or 905-778-1287.
