The company, originally named Harlock Williams Lemon Ltd., was founded in 1976.

In 1989, HWL was acquired by The Sovereign General Insurance Company, a member of the Co-operators Group, the largest Canadian owned insurer.

In 2001, Sovereign General formed a joint venture partnership with Salvus Bain (Management) Ltd., managers of Sunderland Marine Mutual Insurance Company Ltd. one of the world’s leading marine insurers.

During 2003 HWL purchased the Vancouver based Murray Underwriting Limited and the new combined operation became known as Harlock Murray Underwriting Ltd.