In September 1919, Irvin E Erb hung out his shingle on Queen Street South, signalling the establishment of his new general insurance office. When his father, Ephraim Bricker Erb, joined him in the business six years later, the firm’s name was changed to Erb and Erb Insurance.

Some years later, the firm moved to 1 King Street East, above the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, taking office which had earlier been occupied by the law firm of John King, the father of William Lyon Mackenzie King.

Just after the end of World War II , Ralph J Westfall, the husband of Irvin’s niece – Hazel, joined the business. In 1970, Ralph and Hazel and another long time employee, Catherine Bast, purchased the firm and it was incorporated the following year.

In 1979, the firm moved to its present location at 30 Queen Street North, the former home of the Kitchener-Waterloo Record.

Nine years later, the ownership of the firm was again passed to a younger generation, comprised of David Westfall (the son of Ralph and Hazel), Byron Moffitt and James Kibble.

In 1992, the firm merged with Kirkwood Insurance Brokers Ltd (established in 1946), and William Kirkwood joined the firm as a partner. 1994 saw the closure of Alexander & Alexander / Reed Stenhouse, which prompted their local files to be transferred to Erb and Erb Insurance Brokers Ltd.

In 2006, the partnership expanded to include James Chmiel, Sandy Hill (David’s sister), Christopher Hill and Jonathan Hill (Sandy’s two sons).

Today, Erb and Erb Insurance Brokers Ltd has over 60 staff, who handle a complete range of general insurance and financial service products