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Union Power Insurance and the Power of the Union

Danny Mitchell is the Secretary Treasurer of Teamsters Local 879 “Insurance premium pricing is based on risk,” explains Union
in Hamilton, Ontario. He recently did something that most people Power’s John Mitchell. “For an insurance package sold to the
never do. He wrote a letter to his insurance broker to thank them general public you have to factor in everybody who is insured to
for living up to their pricing and service commitment on the come up with a rate. By necessity that includes some extremely
insurance package he purchased through them. high-risk policies. Insurance prices are set to accommodate those
anticipated losses. The thing is,” John Mitchell continues, “our
“I want to take this opportunity to commend Union Power
prices are lower because with the building trades union members
Insurance Brokers and CUMIS Insurance company,” Mitchell
the risk isn’t as high. They are trained to factor in safety in
wrote. “First of all, for believing in the Canadian Building Trades
everything they do.”
Unions, but also for my own personal experience.”
The Union Power business model is based on that simple truth.
Like most people, Mitchell had been doubtful that Union Power
Canada's Building Trades Unions members are people who have
could deliver the significantly lower rates on home and auto
been trained and have enhanced skills and knowledge that they
insurance it promised. Like everyone else, he had read the
apply in the workplace and at home.
headlines touting increases in insurance costs across the board.
It seemed to be an industry trend. Union Power’s Rob Vosseler backs that up. “We see it all the
time. Skilled tradespeople live by a safety-first approach that they
“I was a skeptical to be honest,” says Mitchell, “hoping that this
apply throughout their lives. In their cars it makes them better
much lower price would not translate into poor customer service
drivers. At home it means they routinely do the maintenance that
or poor claims handling.”
reduces costly claims. It is a lifelong approach to managing both
When he finally purchased the Union Power package he was personal and professional risk.”
quoted, he was happy to discover that his insurance costs were,
A professional trades person, by their nature, thinks about
in fact, reduced by 30 per cent over what he had previously been
workplace safety, will anticipate risks and will always approach a
paying. On top of that, when he filed a claim for a car accident,
situation with accident prevention in mind. It becomes second
the response was everything it was supposed to be.
nature to them. The numbers support that analysis.
“The service I have received from both Union Power and CUMIS
Union Power is certain that this also translates to safety at home
has been stellar. From the moment I reported the claim I was
and an appreciation for driving safely on the road. Trained skilled
treated like a VIP. The adjuster was fantastic, and my claim was
tradespeople will, by their nature, keep their home and vehicles
taken care of right away. I was impressed all around.”
in good working order. That eliminates avoidable losses than result
The reason Union Power can offer lower rates and quality service from poor maintenance. If they can’t fix it usually someone they
is tightly connected to the attributes of the people to whom they know can and claims caused by poor maintenance are significantly
are selling their insurance products; auto and home for individuals reduced.
and commercial insurance for Union Halls and training centres.
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