Car insurance in Ontario: Protect your vehicle
Get an auto insurance quote and buy online in minutes. Sonnet offers comprehensive auto insurance at competitive rates and safe driving discounts with Sonnet Shift. Plus, 24/7 customer care, claims support, and towing.
Drive safe and save up to 35% with Sonnet Shift
Want more control over your auto insurance premium? With
Our free, easy-to-use smartphone app monitors your driving and scores it. Every three months you could earn savings of up to 35% for driving safely, and at renewal, you could be rewarded for driving less through our
Driving a car in Ontario? Make sure you’re covered
Whether you’re navigating rush hour in Toronto, cruising our rocky northern highways, or commuting from Ottawa to Gatineau, you need auto insurance you can trust.
Wherever you’re looking for auto insurance in Ontario, Sonnet has you covered. Our secure online quoting platform will connect you with custom coverage tailored to your needs as an Ontario driver. You’ll get a competitive price, in language you can understand – and do it all online in minutes. We’ve changed Ontario car insurance for the better, so you can drive worry free.
See what we have to offer in these Ontario cities:
Why do you need car insurance in Ontario?
As a driver in Ontario, you’re legally required to have car insurance. Think of car insurance as a future investment. If you get into an accident, car repairs and medical bills can be costly. Plus, if you cause damage or injuries to other people, you’ll be responsible for those costs too. Car insurance protects you from having to pay out of pocket for these expenses. Accidents happen, even to good drivers. Having the best auto insurance policy in Ontario means you’ll be able to cover it if they do.
What does car insurance in Ontario cover?
The
Here’s a list of
Essential car insurance coverage in Ontario
You must have liability coverage in order to drive in Ontario. 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.
If you sustain any injuries or damages from an accident, the standard benefits will cover your costs for medical, rehabilitation, and income replacement. In Ontario, there is additional coverage for caregiver and housekeeping or home maintenance benefits. You can also choose to upgrade any of your standard accident benefits coverages or purchase optional benefits.
This covers loss or damage to your vehicle and its contents in an accident with another vehicle to the extent that you’re not at fault. In the event of a claim, you’ll always work directly with us – not the other person’s insurer. We’ll also set you up with a rental car if you need it!
DCPD isn’t mandatory in Ontario, but it’s considered essential. Without it, you’ll have to pay to repair or replace your vehicle if you’re not at fault in a collision with another vehicle.
Heads up! Vehicle hit and run accidents aren’t covered under DCPD. Want coverage in case of a hit and run accident? Make sure you have Collision or Upset coverage added to your policy.
This covers loss or damage to your vehicle and its contents caused by specific events. These events include an accident with another vehicle where you’re at fault or an accident with an object (like a guardrail or a tree). This also provides coverage if your car rolls over, or if your vehicle is subject to a hit and run and reported to police within 24 hours.
Although it’s optional, this coverage is considered essential. Without it, you’ll have to pay out of pocket to repair or replace your vehicle if these events happen. If you lease or finance your car, this coverage is usually required by your lessor or lender.
It’s not just when you’re driving that your vehicle could be damaged. Comprehensive insurance in Ontario has your vehicle covered for damage from things like falling objects, vandalism, fire, theft, lightning, windstorm and earthquake.
Heads up! This coverage is optional but highly recommended. If you don’t have it, you’ll have to cover the costs if any of the above (and more) happen.
Do you lease or finance your vehicle? Having both comprehensive and collision coverage may actually be required by your lessor or lender. Find out more about insuring a
Optional car insurance coverage in Ontario
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.
Ontario drivers get the benefits of four great coverages and savings to match, all in one convenient bundle.
Loss of Use Coverage
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.
Damage to 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.
How much is car insurance in Ontario?
Car insurance rates are unique for each driver. To get the cost of your auto insurance, car insurance companies in Ontario look at your driving and claims history, where you live and the type of vehicle you have, and how you use your car. Here are some examples of the average price of car insurance with Sonnet in Ontario. Get a free online car insurance quote to see how much you would pay.
$241/month avg.
Auto insurance in Toronto costs around the same as daily rideshare (Uber) trips for a week from Midtown to the Yonge-and-Dundas area.
$196/month avg.
A person in Waterloo can bundle their home and car insurance for less than the average household spends monthly on dining out.
$308/month avg.
The cost of insuring an older vehicle in Mississauga is around half of a typical monthly grocery budget for two.
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.
Canadian University Alumni
Get more from your degree.
Engineering & accounting graduates in Ontario
Engineers and accountants can appreciate a well-designed solution. Use our online platform and claim your
More ways to save on car insurance in Ontario
We’ve partnered with groups across Canada to offer auto insurance discounts. And, your
TELUS SmartHome Security
Tangerine
Deloitte
How to get the best car insurance in Ontario
Here are a few steps you can take to get the best coverage and pricing on your Ontario auto insurance.
Step 1: Review your car insurance regularly. We want you to feel confident that your car insurance suits your changing needs. Review your car insurance every year at renewal and every time you make a change to your policy. You might need to update your coverage depending on the change, like if you swap vehicles.
Step 2: Explore all the discounts available in Ontario. There are more ways than one to save on your car insurance in Ontario! Bundle your home and car insurance or score a University and College Grad discount. Plus, by law Ontario insurers have to offer winter tire savings. It’s an extra incentive to get them on by the deadline.
Step 3: Try usage-based car insurance. Have a good driving record? Many car insurance companies in Ontario now offer savings for safe drivers – and we’re one of them! Our
Step 4: Consider Ontario’s rising rate of car theft. In Ontario,
Step 5: Make sure you have enough coverage if you’re hurt in an accident. Unlike other provinces, Ontario allows you to upgrade your Accident Benefits coverage if you need to. You can raise your income replacement if you’re injured and can’t work, for example. Read through your options and tailor your policy to suit your specific needs.
Questions about car insurance in Ontario? We’ve got answers
Getting an auto insurance quote with Sonnet is quick and easy. Plus, we offer plenty of help along the way. Our licensed Insurance Agents are just a click away. Reach us via email, chat, or phone. We’re here to answer your questions about auto insurance in Ontario and help you find the best coverage for your needs.
Read through our current blogs or most frequently asked questions about car insurance to get started.
Are you planning on using your car for Uber or Lyft? How about as a restaurant delivery driver? If the answer’s yes, your car will NOT be covered by Sonnet auto insurance. Sonnet offers personal auto insurance policies, and only covers personal use – like when you use your car to drive to and from work.
Using your vehicle to carry paying passengers or make deliveries is considered
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:
- 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,
The Ontario government sets out required coverages and approves pricing for auto policies. In some, you can also purchase your insurance from the province. In Ontario, you purchase your car insurance through a private insurer.
With Sonnet, you can get an auto insurance quote online in 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!
Here’s how it works:
- Provide us with info about your vehicle and yourself. We’ll need some basic info, like your car’s year, make, model, and VIN. Plus, we’ll ask about your address, date of birth, and driver’s license. If there are other drivers in your household, we need their info, too.
- Select your auto insurance discounts. Chances are, you’re eligible for savings with Sonnet. We offer car insurance savings to grads of most Canadian Universities and Colleges. We also give discounts to our partnered organizations. These include unions, employers, and more.
- Select your policy type. Sonnet offers both traditional and behaviour-based car insurance in Ontario. If you’re a safe driver, you could save up to 35% on your auto insurance policy with
Sonnet Shift . - Customize your coverage. Your Sonnet auto insurance quote will always include Canada’s mandatory car insurance coverage. From there, it’s up to you to
customize your policy ! Add extra protection like our Enhanced Protection Bundle, which includes two staple rental car coverages (and a whole lot more). Before you buy, review your quote to make sure you’ve got what you need. If you’re leasing or financing a car, your lessor or financing company may require certain coverages on that vehicle. - Buy now or later. Ready to get your Ontario auto insurance? Once you have your quote, you can sign up for instant coverage. If you still need to think about it, we’ll save your price for 45 days or until the effective date you chose – whichever comes first.
With Sonnet, it’s easy – you can do everything right from your phone! Report a car insurance claim directly from your Sonnet account or over the phone, 24/7. To do it online, first make sure you’ve got the
We know claims can be stressful. We’re here for you. You can chat with one of our Claims team members if you have any questions during the claims process. To do so, make sure you
Generally speaking, “full coverage” auto insurance in Ontario includes four types of coverage:
- Liability.
Liability coverage helps cover legal and other costs if you injure someone else or cause damage to their property. - Accident Benefits. This provides you with certain benefits if you're injured or killed in a car accident, no matter who's at fault. In Ontario, you can increase these benefits.
- Collision.
Collision coverage pays for damage to your vehicle caused by an accident where you’re at fault. - Comprehensive. For non-accident damage, there’s
comprehensive coverage . This protects you if your car is stolen or vandalized. It also covers costs if your car is damaged by fire, certain natural disasters, and more.
At Sonnet, we take “
No. Sonnet auto insurance offers personal auto insurance only. This policy will not cover you if you
Have more questions about your Sonnet auto insurance policy? We’re here to help.
With Sonnet Shift, you control your premium and your savings. You also have a chance to improve your driving every 3 months. But that’s not all. Here are just a few of the perks to signing up for Sonnet Shift:
- Sign up for free
- Get a 10% one-time enrollment discount just for signing up
- Earn up to a 35% discount on your premium by driving safely
- Save even more by driving less with an annual Mileage Discount of up to 10% at renewal
Enroll all the drivers in your household to maximize control over your savings- Improve your driving with personalized tips to help you learn safer habits
- View your projected discount (so you can keep up the good work). Or, view your surcharge (so you can learn safer habits and start saving).
- Have your driving data at your fingertips 24/7
If Sonnet Shift isn’t for you there are still plenty of other ways you can
Average monthly premiums for auto insurance in Ontario are based on current Sonnet policies as of July 2020, with assumptions made to determine demographic groups.
The average cost of an auto claim in Ontario is based on 2019 claims data from Sonnet and Economical Insurance.
Images of the Sonnet Shift app may not be exact representations of the product, scoring, discounts, or surcharges. In case of discrepancy, the Sonnet Shift Terms & Conditions and your Sonnet Shift account prevails over general information or representations available on this site.
Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.
*Enrollment discount typically only applies until the drivers’ first Shift Adjustment. Once you’ve taken at least 20 trips and driven 300 kms, the enrollment discount will be replaced by your Driving Result – a discount or surcharge based on your driving behaviour – on your next Shift Adjustment. If you haven’t taken at least 20 trips and driven 300 km, the enrollment discount will remain for one more quarter (3 months). It’ll be removed on your next Shift Adjustment.