Economical Insurance Canada 2026: Sonnet Review – Best for New Drivers
Updated Oct 1, 2026 | Sources: Economical, Sonnet
Economical Insurance, including its digital brand Sonnet, is the cheapest car insurance in Ontario for new G2 drivers and young drivers in 2026. While PC Insurance wins for clean experienced drivers at $142/month, Economical dominates the new driver market at $289/month vs $340 at Intact. Full Ontario rankings here.
Economical vs Sonnet: Key Differences
Both owned by Definity Financial, same underwriter, different channels:
- Sonnet: Online only, 8% cheaper, instant quotes, no broker. Best for tech-savvy under 40.
- Economical: Broker network, personalized advice, same price as Sonnet + broker fee (~$50/year).
We recommend Sonnet for 90% of drivers – same coverage, lower price.
Economical Rates 2026: New Driver Specialist
| Driver Type | Economical | Intact | TD | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G2, age 19, Toronto | $289 | $340 | $315 | $51-61/mo |
| G2, age 21, Ottawa | $234 | $278 | $256 | $44/mo |
| Full G, 1 ticket, age 25 | $198 | $223 | $212 | $25/mo |
| Clean, age 35 | $148 | $161 | $152 | $13/mo vs Intact |
Vyne Telematics: Up to 25% Off
Economical’s Vyne app is best-in-class for new drivers. Unlike TD or Intact which penalize hard braking, Vyne only rewards good driving – no penalties. Average new driver saves 18% ($624/year).
Economical vs Competitors
vs PC Insurance: PC $6 cheaper for clean drivers ($142 vs $148), but Economical $23/month cheaper for G2 drivers ($289 vs $312) and accepts more new drivers.
vs TD: Economical $4 cheaper clean, $26 cheaper G2. TD better for alumni discounts.
vs Intact: Economical $13/month cheaper clean, $51 cheaper G2. Intact better for home bundle.
Is Economical Good?
J.D. Power 2026: 4.0/5 satisfaction (above average 3.8). Claims payout: 19 days average. FSRA complaints: 0.9 per 1,000. Financial rating A (Excellent) by A.M. Best.
Best for: New drivers, G2 licenses, drivers under 25, those wanting no-penalty telematics.
Skip if: You own home (Intact 20% bundle beats Economical 12%), want cheapest clean driver rate (PC wins).