Promutuel Insurance: Working together to protect what matters most

People. More than anything, it’s about people. People coming together to protect what matters most to them. How? Through the mutual model.

Here at Promutuel Insurance, we have plenty of experience with the mutual model—more than 170 years across Québec, in fact. Today, our team is proud to say that we’re THERE for you, now more than ever. Day after day, mutuality guides our mission, our values, and our initiatives. We take every opportunity to connect with our communities, understand their needs and realities, and take part in local events. We give back to causes that matter to local residents— supporting and protecting what truly matters.

People. More than anything, it’s about people.

Promutuel Insurance and the rise of the mutual model

Our story is woven into the history of the mutual movement in Québec. The first mutual life insurance company, the Société de bienfaisance du Québec, opened its doors in 1789, inspired by Britain’s “friendly societies” during the Industrial Revolution. By supporting the most vulnerable and promoting the well-being of others, it laid the first foundations of Québec’s social economy.

In the 19th century, the mutual movement gained momentum. At the time, fire posed a constant threat to people’s peace of mind, as many lived in wooden homes where flames could spread quickly. Mutual fire insurance companies began to appear—first in cities, then in rural areas. In 1852, the Compagnie d’assurance mutuelle contre le feu du comté de Beauharnois was founded. A pioneer in rural Québec, it became the first mutual company at the origin of what is now Groupe Promutuel. By 1862, about 30 mutual companies were operating in Quebec. By 1950, that number had grown to nearly 300.

Then came 1956—a pivotal year for our organization. Mutual insurance companies joined forces to align their missions and officially founded the Fédération des sociétés mutuelles d’assurance générale, which today operates under the name Promutuel Insurance. From that point on, our offering gradually expanded to cover more types of losses and to include car, home, and business insurance. What hasn’t changed, however, is our focus on people and our deep understanding of the issues that matter to them.

Over the years, the mutual movement has helped Quebecers contribute to the province’s economic development—from Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean to Estrie, and from Abitibi-Témiscamingue to the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Thanks to mutual groups like Promutuel Insurance, Québec is now recognized internationally as a model of cooperation and mutuality.

Our core values: the heart of Promutuel

Inspired by the unique geography of our mutual companies and communities, we took time to reflect on our identity and key messages. That process helped us define our core values—the ones that unite us and set us apart.

Solidarity – This powerful and personal mutualist value guides us in every decision we make, every action we take, and every partnership we commit to. It is the beating heart of a group like ours.

Openness – Being open in the spirit of respect and inclusion is how we grow, evolve, and succeed together—today and tomorrow.

Engagement – The pride and care our dedicated teams put into ensuring our members’ satisfaction is the secret to our success as an organization.

Ambition – Our never-ending thirst to excel and push our limits makes all the difference, for the benefit of our members as well as our communities.

By staying true to these values in everything we do, we deepen our understanding of our teams’ needs and the evolving realities of our communities—taking another step together toward our shared future.

The human impact

By focusing on strength in numbers rather than the numbers themselves, our mission remains centred on people, not profit. That’s why we’re so deeply rooted in Québec’s 17 regions.

Today, Promutuel Insurance brings together 12 mutual insurance companies and one federation, forming Groupe Promutuel. And what about you, our members? More than 630,000 of you have taken out an insurance policy with us—and, in doing so, gained the right to elect your mutual insurance company’s board of directors under the “one member, one vote” principle. As soon as you become a member of a mutual, you have a say in what happens there.

And plenty happens! We created the In the Heart of Your Community program to encourage local residents to take part in inspiring, community-driven projects that promote collective well-being. Beyond our branches, we’re there with you as partners, presenters, and hosts of events that celebrate community and connection.

Year after year, we take pride in making a tangible difference by supporting local organizations. In 2024, we contributed $22 million in donations, dividends, and sponsorships—our way of supporting meaningful, transformative initiatives that strengthen the economic and social health of our regions.

The mutual model: More relevant than ever

The United Nations (UN) has declared 2025 the International Year of Cooperatives. Why now? Because the UN recognizes that cooperatives and mutual insurance companies—with their people-centred business model focused on long-term community well-being—are powerful tools for addressing today’s challenges.

Did you know? Much of what we do at Promutuel Insurance puts the principles of mutuality into practice by:

sharing wealth and reducing inequality
strengthening our lasting role within communities
promoting democracy and stability
deepening our social impact and accountability

And we do all this while offering protection tailored to the needs of our insured members. But that, you already knew!

By bridging the social and economic dimensions of our work, the mutual model is more relevant than ever. That’s why, every day, we work to create the right conditions to take it further—and bring it closer to you.

Promutuel Insurance: There for you, close to home

Promutuel Insurance is committed to protecting what matters to you and contributing to the well-being and vitality of our communities in a spirit of solidarity, openness, engagement, and shared ambition. These are our core values—the very heart of our mutualist nature.