Rempel Insurance is the largest independent trucking insurance broker in Manitoba. Owner and CEO Shawn Graydon and his team are committed to encouraging the understanding and alignment of the insurance industry to support transportation in Manitoba. 

Rempel Insurance has specialized in transportation for over 30 years. Graydon started working in the insurance industry in 1999 and quickly found his passion for protecting transportation risks after joining Rempel Insurance in 2000. He has served on the Manitoba Trucking Association’s Associated Trades Division (ATD) Executive since 2011, and has been on the MTA’s Board of Directors since 2021. 

His company has experienced strong and steady growth over the past several years, which has led to a substantial expansion of his team. It now has over 60 years of transportation experience combined. “I am fortunate to work with a group of enthusiastic professionals who are dedicated risk advisors to our clients. The importance of taking care of client needs and high-quality service is made evident right from the interview process, which has attracted team members who get their energy by being of service.” It is this mentality and unyielding commitment to client care that led to Graydon being awarded the first Broker of the Year in Canada award in 2016. Other criteria for the award included innovation within the industry and understanding that time is of the essence when it comes to transportation to ensure trucks keep moving. The team at Rempel Insurance developed a certificate of insurance program in 2019 to significantly expedite the rate at which they can get certificates of insurance in the hands of their clients. They have an exceptionally high standard when it comes to the turnaround time for certificates in transportation, as they recognize that part of what they can do to set their clients up for success. Other areas of experience on their transportation team include information technology, agribusiness, claim management, leadership, fleet safety, and hands-on trucking experience. These have all contributed to how the team can support our clients and improve efficiencies. From an insurance perspective, the transportation industry has unique challenges, and the need for specialization in the sector is essential. “From the ability to read a contract to claims management, working within transportation makes us better insurance brokers. You need to be very diligent, detail-oriented, see the comprehensive picture, and keep up with the fast pace to protect a client’s risk properly,” says Graydon. 

His role at the MTA couples well with his involvement with the Insurance Brokers Association of Manitoba (IBAM) to act as a liaison between the two industries to ensure mutual understanding. Without insurance, transportation companies cease to operate, and communication between these two industries is crucial.

Graydon noted how much more time he spends talking to clients about their other business issues and challenges, far more than they talked specifically about insurance. This led to a shift in mindset from not just being an insurance broker to their clients but a partner in risk management with the goal of creating further solutions to serve the client’s needs; this process started with the development of the Rempel Fleet Safety Program through their exclusive alignment with GL Transport Consulting. The program thus far has included in-person seminars on the topics of accident investigation and driver training. With help from the US Department of Transportation, the program also discusses updates to vehicle inspections, ELDs, personal conveyance, and proposed changes to the safety measurement system. Other services include fleet safety audits, preparation for loss control visits, safety manual development, driver training and onboarding programs, safety manager coaching, ongoing consulting, and leading safety meetings. In order to further their resources to serve their clients’ risk management needs, they invested in a broker performance group that works with select brokers in Canada and the United States who want to challenge the status quo.

As the landscapes of the insurance and transportation industries have changed immensely over the past few years, it has become imperative for adaptability to be a key priority.

He has many close relationships within the transportation industry, and many business owners he works with have become close friends. He has a particular affinity for working with owners whose values align and whose actions illustrate their commitment to safety and good business. As an organization, they have a deep respect for the transportation industry and the pivotal role it plays in the well-being of the economy as a whole. Celebrating National Trucking Week has become an annual tradition for their entire team when they do their annual Honk Challenge, where their team heads out to cheer on trucks passing by their office building along a major transportation throughway to say thank you in person with signs and expressions of gratitude to the passing drivers. Last year, they hung a large banner across their building. They created a community youth activity engaging local daycares to submit colouring pages designed to celebrate the event. They also take part in the Truck Pull event hosted by the MTA every year in support of the United Way and continued that tradition of their team pulling a truck when the formal event had to be paused over the pandemic. 

His work and personal life are closely intertwined as he works alongside his wife and business partner, Janice, who is the Director of Strategy for the brokerage. Together they are the sole owners and bring different skill sets to running and growing the business. They have two kids; their daughter Aspen is seven, and their son Ash is four. As a family, they love being active together, playing games, and travelling with family and friends. Shawn himself loves to play golf, where he clears his mind and thrives on building relationships.