Start your engines! Sonnet Insurance and Académie du Guide de l’auto are back for another season of high-octane driving thrills and memorable moments on the racetrack. In order to commemorate the new season, we’re excited to showcase a brand new TV spot featuring Académie du Guide de l’auto host Patrick Benoit as he races against NHL superstar David Savard:
You’ll notice that Patrick is demonstrating how drivers using Sonnet Virage (Sonnet Shift) can save even more on their auto insurance just by driving safely. Looks like David should take the hint – slow and steady wins the discount!
For more than three years, Sonnet has been the proud sponsor and the official insurer of the show that caters to car lovers and car race enthusiasts, and we’re so excited to see what the ninth season has in store. To get your engines revved up and ready to go, we’ve got a new interview with Patrick Benoit to find out more about the show, car trends, and how to develop expert driving skills:
QUESTION 1: You shot this commercial with David Savard of the Montreal Canadiens, but this is not the first time you have received hockey players on the show. What do you think of them as drivers? Do they all drive the same way, and would you trust them with your car?
They are human beings with exceptional coordination, who have extraordinary spatial orientation as well as peripheral vision and excellent reflexes. No one can say they don't have great skills!
I trust them more with my car than they would trust me with their hockey team!
QUESTION 2: You have been on TV every day as a traffic columnist in the Greater Montreal for the past 8 years. What should we do as drivers to help avoid crazy traffic jams and get to work on time?
In a few words, respect the Highway Code (trivial to say, but the lack of respect for the basic rules is excessive), show courtesy, increase the distances between vehicles and manage your emotions. Not to mention that the left lane is reserved for passing! (But it's already stated in the Highway Code, haha.) Everyone pays the price for a lack of civility, which leads to incidents and increases insurance premiums!
QUESTION 3: Electric cars are more popular than ever. Is this a trend that you had anticipated? Have you made the transition? Why or why not?
I made the transition six years ago. I drive a lot, which means that in addition to no longer polluting, I save an astronomical amount on gas. I dare you to do the math. Depending on your annual mileage, you'd be surprised how much you could put on the purchase of an electric vehicle.
QUESTION 4: Sonnet's new ad features our new app that allows safe drivers to save a lot on their insurance. As a professional driver, what's the easiest way to improve our driving skills?
Anticipate your maneuvers to avoid reacting at the last second. Also, plan trips to avoid traffic jams and thus better manage your patience.
QUESTION 5: Off the track, do you like to drive? If so, where will your next road trip be?
I've been on two trips with an electric vehicle in Florida in the last two years, including one via Toronto. I like to drive, but for long distances, I like to use autopilot (which is actually a driver assistance tool, but very advanced in my car). It prevents me from getting too tired.