Since its launch in 2016, Sonnet has been associated with some of the most prominent names in the Canadian insurance industry. Originally a division of Economical Insurance, it is now part of the parent company, Definity Financial Corporation. Despite these connections, Sonnet car insurance policies are underwritten by Sonnet itself and can only be purchased directly through their website.
But are they the right choice for your car insurance needs? To make an informed decision, it’s important to consider both the potential pros and cons. Also, always take the time to shop around and compare quotes from alternative providers, like YouSet, since Sonnet doesn’t compare quotes from multiple carriers as a broker does.
| Pros | Cons |
| Part of a broader insurance network | Restricted to Sonnet products |
| Select offering | Only available in certain regions |
| Perks for Tangerine customers | Mixed customer reviews |
| 24/7 emergency claim hotline | Can’t buy through a broker |
✅ Part of a broader insurance network
Sonnet Insurance was launched by Economical Insurance in 2016. In 2021, following Economical’s transition from a mutual to a publicly traded company, it became part of Definity Financial Corporation. This structure aligns Sonnet with other established companies, creating a sense of stability as part of a broader insurance group.
❌ Restricted to Sonnet products and pricing
Sonnet refers to themselves as a “direct writer,” which simply means that they (Sonnet Insurance Company) are the underwriters of all their own policies. Unlike brokers such as YouSet, which scans a network of multiple carriers to find you the best price, with Sonnet you’re limited to the products, prices, and discounts they offer.
✅ Select offering of personal insurance products
Sonnet offers a select range of insurance products, including car, home (homeowners, condo, and tenant), and pet insurance, designed to cover the basic needs of most Canadians. They also advertise a discount for customers who purchase both home and car insurance, however, bundling with a single carrier isn’t always the best way to maximize savings.
❌ Only available in certain regions
Sonnet car insurance is available in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. While it previously operated in Alberta, the company stopped issuing new policies and renewing existing ones as of December 2024, citing “limited opportunities to grow profitably in the current auto insurance operating environment in Alberta.”
✅ 24/7 emergency claim hotline
Sonnet offers customers a 24/7 hotline for emergency claims, which indicates that it is making an effort to create a more positive customer experience.
❌ Mixed customer reviews
As of January 2025, Sonnet’s ratings vary among online review websites, with just 1.5 out of 5 stars on InsurEye and a much higher 4.4 out of 5 on TrustPilot. While reviews are mixed, some customers report frustration with procedural inefficiencies and communication issues when dealing with Sonnet’s customer service team on both sites.
✅ Perks for Tangerine customers
If you’re a Tangerine client, you could be eligible for a discount on your car insurance premium and earn cash back when you pay your monthly bill with your Tangerine credit card. However, if you’re not already a Tangerine client, you’d need to switch your banking or open a new credit card, which might not be worth the effort for the savings you’d gain.
❌ Can’t buy through a broker
Sonnet car insurance is only available through their website, meaning you won’t have the option to purchase through a broker. If you prefer a broker’s ability to compare prices across multiple insurers or provide additional support during claims, this could be a drawback.
Sonnet vs. YouSet Car Insurance
After getting a quote from Sonnet and doing your own research, it’s always wise to compare the quoted price to a policy from an alternative provider, such as YouSet, to see if that’s truly the best price you can get or if there’s a better deal available.
YouSet, for example, is a digital broker with over 300,000 users and an average online review rating of 4.9 stars. As an insurance marketplace, we partner with some of Canada’s top insurance providers and get them to compete for your business so that you ultimately get the best price year after year. But that’s not all. Here are some of the additional benefits of buying car insurance with YouSet.
Best price year-after-year
YouSet’s algorithms are designed to do one thing – find you the best price. Not just the first time you buy either. If your price increases at renewal, we’ll alert you and even help you re-shop with another carrier.
Highly reviewed by Canadians
With an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars on Google, the general consensus among YouSet users is that YouSet is making it easier to find affordable car insurance and buy it online at the best price year after year.
Transparent renewals
Anytime a YouSet car insurance policy comes up for renewal, our team will make sure you’re paying the best price possible for your policy. If that’s no longer working, we’ll help you re-shop another carrier for a better deal.
Buy, manage, and renew your policy online
How much easier would it be if you could purchase a policy, personalize it to fit your needs, make modifications to it, and renew it, all without having to make any phone calls or wait on hold? With YouSet, you can do all that and more with our self-serve features.
Mix-and-match approach to bundling
YouSet is the only digital broker in Canada that automatically compares the cost of bundling home and car insurance from a single carrier against the cost of mix-and-matching home and car carriers. Whichever option offers the maximum savings is the one we present to you.
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