Car insurance: Protect your vehicle

Collision and comprehensive coverage work together to protect your car from many kinds of damage – so you won’t need to pay out-of-pocket to repair or replace your car.

Collision coverage protects your car when you’re at-fault in an accident, such as:

• Your car hits another car
• Your car hits an object (like a road sign or a street light)
• Your car rolls over

Heads up! For some not-at-fault accidents, like if you’re involved in a hit and run collision, you're still covered under your collision coverage.

Comprehensive coverage is a little different, because it protects your car from damage that’s caused from things other than an accident. This could be a rock hitting your windshield or a tree falling on your car during a storm. While comprehensive coverage can differ between insurers, here’s what it commonly covers you for:

• Your car is damaged by fire
• Your car is vandalized
• Your car is stolen
• Your car is damaged by a falling object
• Your car is damaged from a wind or hailstorm

Heads up! Although not mandatory coverage, if you lease your vehicle, both collision and comprehensive coverage are usually required by your leasing or financing company. Learn more about insuring your leased or financed vehicle.

Once you've purchased your car insurance, we’ll send you an email with a link to activate your Sonnet account. Your pink slip and proof of insurance will be accessible directly through your account dashboard. Here you can also get the steps to add your eSlip right to your phone’s digital wallet.

If you would like to download an eSlip, here are the steps to add it to your phone:

1. Download the Sonnet Insurance app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play store app (Android).
2. Log in to your account in the app using the same email and password you set up for your Sonnet account.
3. For first-time users, tap the ‘Get your eSlip’ banner over the ‘More’ tab. Agree to the terms and conditions for eSlips. Choose your vehicle (for single policies) or choose your policy then vehicle (for multiple polices).
4. eSlips will automatically update in your digital wallet app after a policy change or renewal. If you notice that it hasn’t automatically updated, tap on the ‘More’ tab, then tap ‘Pink Slip’. Choose your vehicle (for single policies) or choose your policy then vehicle (for multiple polices).
5. Your eSlip will automatically be added to your phone’s digital wallet.

Heads up! If you are an iOS (iPhone) user, the Background app refresh setting must always be turned ON. This setting allows eSlips to automatically update when you make a policy change or renew your policy.

Follow these steps to turn this setting ON:

1. Go to your iPhone Settings and scroll down until you see the Sonnet Insurance App.
2. Simply tap the Background App Refresh toggle, so it is ON (green).

Want to view your physical pink slip in your account? Follow these steps:

1. Log in to your account and click on the ‘Easily access your digital pink slip’ card.
2. For single policies click ’Download’. For multiple policies, choose your policy number and then click ‘Download’.

We’ll also send you a hard copy of your pink slip through the mail (which takes about 5 business days).

Haven’t received your liability slip in the mail? First, double check the mailing address listed on your account. You can do this by signing into your account and selecting Settings. If your mailing address is incorrect or you would like to request a new pink slip be mailed, contact us.

Yes, you’ll still need to get car insurance for your leased or financed vehicle. It’s not included in your lease or contract.

The leasing or financing company may have specific car insurance requirements as a condition of your contract with them. These could include a minimum deductible for collision and comprehensive coverages. You’ll also need to list them on your policy as an additional interest, since they have a stake in your car. And, they’ll require you to provide them with proof of insurance.

Still have questions? Learn more about how leasing vs. financing a car affects your insurance.
Do you live in Toronto? Find out which has the cheapest car insurance - used cars vs. new cars.

Getting auto insurance in Canada is simple with Sonnet. Here’s how to do it:

1. Start with a free online quote.
2. Provide some basic info about yourself and your vehicle(s). This includes your VIN(s) and driver’s licence. We’ll also need to know about other drivers in your household so be sure to have their licence info close by, too.
3. While you’re choosing your coverages, take time to learn about the types of car insurance. Some coverages are mandatory, and some aren’t. We’ll give you an overview of each one.
4. Learn about add-on options. These include collision coverage, which covers damage to your own vehicle in a collision where you’re at fault. You might also want to add comprehensive coverage for incidents unrelated to a collision, like theft or certain natural disasters.
5. Review your quote before you buy. Don’t worry, if you want to make certain changes to your policy over the course of your policy term, you can do so quickly and easily via your online account. Changes you can make on your own include adding a vehicle or driver.
6. Done reviewing? The last step is to buy your auto insurance in just a few clicks! Then, set up your online account, download your documents (you have 24/7 access to them!), and hit the road knowing you’re protected.

Get started with a quote. Need help? Contact us via email, chat or phone for around-the-clock help. We’re here to answer your questions about coverage, billing, and more.

When you purchase car insurance through Sonnet, you’re purchasing personal auto insurance. Our personal insurance policies don’t cover you when you use your vehicle for business or commercial purposes. This includes driving for rideshare companies like Lyft and Uber.

Important note: Some ridesharing services provide commercial insurance on your behalf when you drive for the company. Even with this insurance, driving for a rideshare company isn’t covered by Sonnet. Learn more about how to get coverage if you drive for Uber or LyftThis is an external link.

Yes. In order to drive a car in Canada you are required by law to have insurance. Each province has its own minimum standard for mandatory vehicle insurance. Not sure what you need to have on your policy? Learn more about what each province requires.

TIP: Looking for auto insurance in Toronto? Review the basics of how car insurance works in Toronto.

Limits and deductibles play a key role in how much you’ll pay for car insurance. Here's how they affect your costs when applying for auto insurance:

1. Insurance limits:

• Higher limits provide better coverage but your premium is likely to be higher.
• Lower limits may reduce your premium but could cost you more in the event of a major claim, since you’ll have less coverage.

2. Deductibles:

• Choosing a higher deductible usually leads to a lower premiums, but you’ll pay more in the event of a claim.
• Opting for a lower deductible often means a higher premiums, but you’ll pay less in the event of a claim.

When you’re choosing your limits and deductibles, consider your finances. How much could you afford to pay out of pocket if something happens? It's all about finding the right balance between an affordable premium and enough protection, so you don't drain your savings if the worst happens. At the end of the day, this is what will help you select the perfect option for your needs.

Need more help understanding limits and deductibles? Contact us so we can help you choose what’s best for you. We’re here to help.

At Sonnet, we want to make sure you have convenient transportation options while your car is being repaired – without the high rental fees. The good news is, our policies offer coverage that can help you get a rental car after an accident, whether you’re at fault or not. Here's what you need to know.

• If you’re at fault:
  To qualify for a rental car comparable to your own, you'll need to have Loss of Use Coverage on your policy. Loss of Use is optional, and covers the cost of a rental vehicle while yours is being repaired or replaced after an at-fault accident. We can also help with other travel costs, such as taxis or public transit.
  
  How do you get it? It's easy! Just add it to your policy when you’re getting your quote. 
  
  
• If you’re not at fault:
  If you weren’t at fault, or were only partly at fault, you may still be eligible for a rental car. If you’re not at fault, a rental car will be covered by Direct Compensation Property Damage (DCPD) coverage. (This is called DCA in Québec.) Prefer to take a taxi or the bus? Some travel costs will also be covered if you need it.

NOTE: DCPD is only available in select provinces.

Sonnet also provides Uber vouchers in some instances to help you can get around after an accident.

We offer all-in-one packages that cover all your rental car needs. Learn more about our rental car package and coverage availability in the provinces we service.

Have questions about your quote? Our Insurance Agents will be happy to walk through it with you! Contact us via phone, email or chat. We’re here to help.