With over 30 years of insurance industry experience, Dario Battista—founder and CEO of isure insurance—has helped shape the modern digital brokerage landscape in Ontario and beyond.
After graduating from post-secondary studies in 1993, he entered the insurance industry and built a company that challenged tradition. We sat down with Dario to discuss his journey, his experience as President of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO), the challenges facing the insurance sector, and what lies ahead for isure and the industry.
From Door-to-Door to Digital: The Evolution of isure insurance
Q: How would you describe the isure business model?
When Dario Battista first launched isure, he was selling insurance policies door-to-door. What started out as what he calls “kitchen table insurance” quickly evolved into a modern, digital-first brokerage.
“I would quote people during the day and then in the evening, go to their homes with my manuals and handwrite applications for them,” he says.
Today, isure generates the majority of its business online, supported by a contact center of licensed brokers who deliver fast, efficient, and personalized service to clients across Ontario.
“The business then evolved, and we began to expand. 17 years ago I came up with the idea of transitioning the business from that traditional model to an online model. We [began to] generate business through our website, and built out a contact center of brokers to service [clients] more efficiently and effectively.”
What’s Changing in the Insurance Industry?
Battista touched on a few factors, but climate change is one major influence that has significantly impacted the insurance industry.
Q: What are some of the major shifts you’ve seen in the insurance landscape in recent years?
Battista points to two key forces reshaping the industry: climate change and rising repair costs due to supply chain disruptions. One major event he referenced was the devastating hailstorm in Calgary, now ranked as the second-largest insurance claim in Canadian history.
“We’ve seen floods in Toronto. We’ve seen them in Montreal. We’ve seen wildfires, all of these things. And so the industry is trying to figure out how to deal with climate change and the costs and the claims associated with climate change,” says Dario Battista.
He also points to rising tariffs, material costs and inflation affecting the cost of repairs and how insurers settle claims.
“The cost to repair houses, building materials, all those things come into place or come into play when we have to settle claims. And all those costs are going up as well. So the industry is trying to find more efficient ways to do that.”
Another development on the horizon? Ontario’s upcoming auto insurance reform, which is expected to bring greater flexibility for consumers.
“There are changes to the auto policy happening. There’s a discussion about how they will be rolling out a whole bunch of changes to add choice for consumers over the next year.”
Leading the Way: Dario Battista’s One-Year Term as IBAO President
Q: What did your role as President of the IBAO teach you about the industry?
As president of the IBAO—representing over 17,000 brokers across the province—Battista had the unique opportunity to understand the inner workings of insurance at a national scale.
“It helped me to gain a broader view of the industry. Not just in terms of the operations of the industry, but also how other brokers operate in different parts of the country, how regulatory bodies deal with the insurance business. And then similarly, how insurance companies manage their brokerage force across the country. So it’s been a great experience from that perspective.”
He gained insight into regulations and insurance company operations. Additionally, he realized how Ontario insurance brokers play a uniquely independent role in Canada’s insurance space.
“We’re the only ones who are genuinely independent, and we represent five million drivers across the province. More than about 50 to 60% of personal lines insurance and 95% of commercial insurance. So when we speak to regulators, they see us as that independent voice that actually speaks for consumers. And I think that is something that has been a real eye-opener for me.”
Empowering the Next Generation of Brokers
Q: What inspired you during your time as IBAO President?
One of Dario Battista’s biggest takeaways was the energy and innovation coming from young professionals and new talent in the industry. He fondly recalls attending his first Young Brokers Conference, calling it “a highlight” of his presidency.
“When I think about the industry and I think about industry trends, one thing that I’ve been excited about is the efforts towards bringing in new talent into the industry, training and education,” he says.
Rocking the Stage: A Personal Highlight at IBAOcon
Q: What was your most memorable moment during your IBAO presidency?
Without hesitation, Battista points to IBAOcon, the country’s largest insurance event with over 3,000 brokers in attendance. He left his imprint on the annual convention by encouraging a musical theme inspired by his background as a drummer.
“I talked about my history as a drummer and what I learned from being a drummer and how I applied it to business. I pitched the idea of making it a music theme, which we did. We brought in a rock drummer [Mark Schulman] as our keynote, and tied leadership lessons to music and rhythm. It was something different—and very personal to me.”
Dario’s top highlight from IBAOcon? The afterparty, Brokers Rock, was especially meaningful, as he performed on stage with his daughter. The event also raised funds for MusiCounts, an initiative near and dear to his heart.
“The highlight for me would have [have to be] the after party that we had, where we brought in a band and we asked brokers to come up and play. I had a very special opportunity to do that with my daughter, who got up on stage and sang with the band. And I got to play with her in front of a thousand brokers, at the after party. So, it was a special personal event for me.”
The Future of isure insurance: Growth and Expansion
Q: What’s next for isure? What does growth for isure look like?
To put it simply, this is just the beginning for isure. Battista is confident that isure is primed for national growth, with year-over-year increases of 10–15%, and plans to expand outside Ontario.
“There’s room to do much more and then take our share outside the province ultimately, and to bring it across Canada…We have an amazing team that’s worked hard over the last five years to build… It’s the team, but it’s also the culture, the technology, the capability. And so we’ve built a great, scalable company now.”
He sees the future of insurance as one that’s digital, consumer-focused, and driven by trust and innovation—values that are central to isure’s mission.
Advice for Future Leaders, Brokers and Young Entrepreneurs
Q: What advice would you give your younger self—or someone just starting out in the insurance industry?
Apart from insurance, we asked Dario Battista what he would tell a younger version of himself or someone in a similar position. His message is simple, yet powerful:
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Ignore the noise. If you’re passionate and willing to put in the hard work, you’ll find a way to [reach] and achieve your goals.”
Final Thoughts
At isure, innovation, independence, and customer-first values remain at the core of everything we do. With Dario Battista’s continued leadership and vision, the future of insurance in Canada is looking brighter than ever. Have questions about your insurance coverage or want to learn more about isure’s journey? Looking to become apart of our growing team? Contact our team today and experience insurance the isure way.
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