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Getting insured has never been easier with Canada’s first online car insurance company. If you live in Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia or P.E.I., you can get a quick quote and buy car insurance online in just a few clicks. Get customized coverage, in language you can understand, at a competitive price – and do it all online. We’ve changed car insurance for the better, so you can worry less and live more.
Why do you need car insurance?
In Canada, if you own a vehicle, by law you must have auto insurance. Think of a car insurance policy as a future investment. Protect yourself from the cost of having to repair or replace your vehicle if it’s damaged or in an accident. Plus, if you cause damage or injuries to other people while driving, you’ll be responsible for those costs too. Accidents happen, even to good drivers. Car insurance offers financial help when they do.
What does car insurance cover in Canada?
In Canada, car insurance is different based on the
Mandatory car insurance coverage
You must have liability coverage in order to drive. It protects you and other drivers financially in case of an accident where you’re at fault. Liability covers any damages, injuries or losses experienced by another driver or individual.
This coverage is required across Canada (except Newfoundland and Labrador). If you sustain any injuries or damages from an accident, this will cover your costs. In Québec, B.C., Manitoba and Saskatchewan, it’s included as part of your government car insurance plan. For the rest of Canada, these benefits are included in your policy through a private insurer.
If you hit another vehicle or object (like a street sign or fire hydrant) or roll your vehicle, this will cover you for the cost to repair or replace your vehicle.
Do you lease or finance your vehicle? Having both comprehensive and collision coverage may be required by your lender. Find out more about insuring a
It’s not just when you’re driving that your vehicle could be damaged. This has your vehicle covered for damage from things like falling objects, vandalism, fire, theft, lightning, windstorm and earthquake.
Do you lease or finance your vehicle? Having both comprehensive and collision coverage may be required by your lender. Find out more about insuring a
Optional car insurance coverage
Clean record for the last 6 years? We won’t increase your rate due to your first at-fault accident and we automatically apply this protection again if after another 6 years you’ve got a clean record.
Heads up!
Protect that squeaky-clean history and your rate! When it comes time for renewal, your minor ticket won’t impact your rate. We’ll pretend like it didn’t even happen. (Unavailable in Québec and New Brunswick).
- Rental Costs. We’ll take care of your rental car after an at-fault collision or during a comprehensive claim (that’s not theft). Even better – there’s no arbitrary limit, so you’ll get a rental car comparable to your own. (Unavailable in Québec).
- Non-Owned Vehicle Coverage. We’ll cover you for the loss or damage to any borrowed or rented vehicle.
Heads up! This bundle is not available in Ontario. OurEnhanced Protection Bundle offers the best comparable coverage for Ontario drivers.
- Roadside Assistance. We’ll reimburse you for up to $50 for related emergency expenses.
- New/Used Vehicle Replacement. We’ll replace your vehicle without any adjustment for depreciation.
- Hit-and-Run Deductible Waiver. We’ll waive your deductible up to $1,000 in the event of a hit-and-run, as long as it’s reported within a reasonable time (like a day).
Heads up! This bundle is not available in Ontario. OurEnhanced Protection Bundle offers the best comparable coverage for Ontario drivers.
Ontario drivers get the benefits of four great coverages and savings to match, all in one convenient bundle.
Rental Costs
We’ll take care of your rental car costs after an at-fault collision or during a comprehensive claim. You’re covered for up to 30 days per occurrence for a rental car comparable to your own. This doesn’t cover loss or damage to a borrowed or rented vehicle.
Non-Owned Vehicle Coverage
We’ll cover you for the loss or damage to a borrowed or rented vehicle comparable to your own.
Roadside Assistance
We’ll reimburse you up to $50 for emergency expenses. This includes tow truck services, battery replacement, or installing a spare tire.
Hit and Run Deductible Waiver
We’ll waive your deductible up to $1,000 in the event of a hit-and-run if it’s reported to the police within 24 hours.
Why buy car insurance with Sonnet?
Online auto claims
Report car insurance claims online 24/7 directly through your account, and chat with a live Claims Professional if you need help. Or, do it over the phone – the choice is yours.
Customer satisfaction
Online doesn’t have to mean on-your-own. Our licensed Insurance Advisors are here to help. Email, chat or call our fully-licensed agents and experience our top-quality customer care for yourself.
24/7 towing
Get a tow you can trust. On top of our 24/7 claims reporting, Sonnet provides 24-hour
How much does car insurance cost in Canada?
$2,006 is the median cost of car insurance with Sonnet in Canada. Get car insurance for around the same amount the average person spends on gas annually.
How car insurance is calculated
The cost of car insurance varies for each person. Car insurance companies can base the premium on factors such as your driving record, claims history and how you use your car. The type of vehicle and where you live are also things they consider.
How to get cheaper car insurance
At Sonnet Insurance Company, we combine your unique information with a whole lot of math and analytics to build our best price just for you. But we don’t stop there! Here are more easy ways you could save on your car insurance with us:
Bundle home and auto
Bundling your home and car insurance could mean up to 20% in savings. Insuring more than one vehicle could also qualify you for multi-vehicle savings.
Add a group discount
We offer exclusive savings for Canadian University and College Alumni,
Try usage-based car insurance
Sonnet Shift rewards you for making smart choices behind the wheel. You could save up to 35% just for driving safely, plus 10% for driving less.
Think about car theft
High-theft vehicles equal high car insurance costs for you. Get vehicle that’s less likely to be stolen or install a third-party anti-theft device to save on pricey surcharges.
Stay claims free
You deserve perks for being claims free. No claims on file for 6 years? This could put some extra cash in your pocket.
Get extra discounts
Retired? We could have great savings for you. Ontario drivers who install winter tires could also get a discount.
How to get a car insurance quote
We know adulting is hard. That’s why Sonnet’s made it simple to get an instant car insurance quote.
Step 1: Enter your vehicle info and personal details. This includes things like the year, make, model, and VIN of your vehicle(s). It also includes stuff about you – like your driver’s licence, address and date of birth – and other drivers in your household.
Step 2: Add your discounts. Sign up for any savings you’re eligible for. We offer juicy car insurance discounts for Canadian University and College graduates, select employer groups, unions, associations, and more.
Step 3: Choose your policy type. Looking for regular car insurance? Go for our traditional package. Want to try our new usage-based insurance and save up to 35% for driving safely? Choose
Step 4: Customize your coverage. Tailor your policy to suit your needs. Be sure to review your auto insurance coverages and deductibles to make sure you’re fully protected.
Step 5: Buy or save your quote. Purchase your new car insurance securely online. Need to think about it? Save your quote and we’ll email it to you. Your price will be saved for 45 days if the options you chose and info you provided don’t change.
If you have questions about car insurance coverage or just want to know more when you’re doing your quote, our licensed Insurance Advisors are here to help.
Questions about car insurance? We've got answers
Getting a car insurance quote with Sonnet is quick and easy – with plenty of help along the way. Read through our current blogs or most frequently asked questions about car insurance to get started.
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:
Currently eSlips are available for iOS users only. Android available soon.
- Download the
Sonnet Insurance app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play store app (Android). - Log in to your account in the app using the same email and password you set up for your Sonnet account.
- 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).
- 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).
- 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
Follow these steps to turn this setting ON:
- Go to your iPhone Settings and scroll down until you see the Sonnet Insurance App.
- 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:
- Log in to your account and click on the ‘Easily access your digital pink slip’ card.
- 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,
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
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
Using your vehicle to carry paying passengers is considered
Getting car insurance in Canada is easy. With Sonnet, you can get a car insurance quote online in 5 minutes. All you’ll need is your driver’s license number, vehicle identification number (VIN) and the answers to a few simple questions – we do the rest of the work for you!
Did you know? Your
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?
Do you live in Toronto? Find out which has the
We give you our best price that’s specifically tailored for you. We’ve come up with a number of ways to help make sure you get the best price on your insurance.
There are a number of ways you could save on your auto insurance:
- Exclusive Sonnet Savings. Self-service has its benefits! You’ll save just for purchasing your insurance online. How easy is that?
- Claims Free. If you’re lucky enough to have been claims-free for six years, you could save.
- Convictions Free. Good driving behaviour deserves to be rewarded!
- Multi-Vehicle. Insuring more than one vehicle with us? Awesome! You may qualify for a multi-vehicle saving.
- Multi-Policy (home and auto). You could save when you insure both your home and your vehicle with us.
- Winter Tires (only in Ontario). They’ll keep you safe and help you save on your auto insurance.
Canadian University Alumni andCanadian College Alumni . You could save when you are a Canadian University or College alumni or student.
TIP: Do you live in Toronto? Find out how to
Median annual premiums for auto insurance in Canada are based on current Sonnet policies as of February 2024.
The 5 minutes to get insured is based on the average Sonnet customer experience.
The Sonnet customer satisfaction score is based on the average survey results of Economical Insurance respondents between January to December 2018.
Article source: The top 10 car insurance companies in Canada published 5 October 2020, Insurance Business Magazine,
The number of hours spent helping customers is based on total talk time over chat and phone from April 20, 2020 to December 31, 2020.