The basic principles of mutual insurance in Ontario have not changed much since the beginning. Community based, mutual companies are owned and operated by their Policyholders. There are no stockholders. The mutuals are run by a Board of Directors which is elected from among the Policyholders. The Board appoints the Officers of the Company. In return for agreeing to secure Policyholders against loss, the Company collects premiums. This fund, together with income from investments, is used to pay losses sustained by the Policyholders as well as the expenses of running the Company. Any surplus either remains in the Company's surplus account or may be refunded to Policyholders at the discretion of the Policyholder Directors. The concept is of mutual trust