Car insurance for Alberta drivers

Yes. In order to legally drive a vehicle in Alberta, you must have at minimum third-party liability and accident benefits coverage. Collision and comprehensive coverages aren’t required. But, many drivers opt to add them to their policy. Without them, damage to your car won’t be covered and you’ll have to pay out of pocket if something happens. 

If you have any questions about what you might or might not need, check out our FAQ page or reach out to one of our Insurance Agents via chat or email. They’re always happy to answer your questions about Alberta car insurance coverage, pricing and more. Remember, every driver has different needs depending on where they live, how they drive and what car they own. It’s best to find out from an auto insurance expert what’ll work for you.

Yes, with most insurance companies you usually can. But, timing matters. Depending on where you are in your policy term, you could be charged a cancellation fee. This is also known as a short rate fee. To avoid paying a hefty penalty out of pocket, the best time to switch insurance providers is typically right before or at renewal. But, you might just find that you could save more by switching now, despite a cancellation fee.

Heads up! If you do switch insurance companies, always secure coverage for a new policy before cancelling your current policy.

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.

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 and Canadian 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 get the cheapest car insurance in Toronto.

There are a couple of things you need to consider:

Liability limits. We'll cover you and the people on your policy for valid claims, and the cost of settling those claims, if you're held liable for injuries or damage to someone else's property as a result of an auto accident. Tip: Minimize how much you could be financially liable for in the case of a major accident by increasing this limit.

In Quebec, we cover the damages to your vehicle as well as those to someone else’s property. However, injuries are covered under the Quebec public insurance plan, SAAQ.

Extra coverages. If your vehicle would cost more than the deductible amount to repair it, you might consider adding Collision: Your Fault and/or Comprehensive coverage. (In Quebec, Collision coverage is called “Collision and Upset”, and Comprehensive is known as “All Perils Other than Collision and Upset”.) If your vehicle is involved in a collision with another object or tips over, Collision coverage will help cover the damage. Comprehensive covers your vehicle against loss or damage other than what's covered by Collision. This includes falling or flying objects, missiles and vandalism, and all the things listed under Specified Perils.

Review our guide on what coverages you should choose when getting a car insurance quote in Toronto.

The cost of car insurance for new drivers in Alberta is generally higher than what more experienced drivers pay, no matter who you’re insured with. The best thing you can do as a young or new driver is drive safely. A ticket- and accident-free driving record helps to keep your premium lower, since to insurers, a good record means lower risk.

As a new driver, taking a driver’s ed course could help you save on your insurance. And, as long as you keep a clean driving record while you gain more driving experience, you’ll likely see your premium go down over time. So, keep driving safely!

The provincial government in Alberta decides which coverages drivers are required to have by law. It’s also in charge of approving rates and pricing for car insurance, which is sold through private insurers. 

Our advice? Get in touch with several different companies to compare car insurance quotes. Then, you can select which one works best for you based on coverage, price, claims service, and customer care.