Is it true that alterations have an impact on auto insurance? Yes, there are situations when the answer is yes. Rates will undoubtedly be affected if you’ve customized your hot rod or built a kit car.
Is tinting your windows, however, going to effect your auto insurance? Insurance companies are unlikely to boost your rates just because you darkened your windows.
You should not experience higher insurance premiums if window tinting is authorized in your state and the tinting was done according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. Although tinting can cause accidents by making it harder to see, it can also avoid some by reducing glare, according to a law firm in Los Angeles. As a result, the insurer benefits in both cases.
We recommend working with a bonded and insured installer to guarantee you meet the legal requirements for tinted windows. You risk getting into trouble with your insurance company or law enforcement if you don’t. Your insurance policy may be canceled if you utilize illegal window tinting.
Does tinting your windows affect insurance?
Any alterations to the car’s bodywork, interior, or exterior should still be reported to your insurance. These modifications might lower the car’s value and make it more appealing to car thieves. Even minor alterations, like as tinting the windows, might have an impact on insurance.
If you tint your windows, be careful not to make them excessively dark, as this could render them unlawful. According to the regulations, the front side windows must allow at least 70% of light to pass through, while the windscreen must allow at least 75% of light to pass through. Cars manufactured before April 1, 1985, must allow 70% of light to pass through the windscreen.
Make sure that any changes you make to your car won’t make it illegal to drive on the road.
Do you have to tell your insurance about tints?
Insurers must be informed of any changes, just as they must be informed of any other change. I usually suggest folks to check with their insurance company before making any changes. It’s a simple method to avoid any unwanted surprises. Even if you’re tinting back glass to boost security or protect young children from the sun, you must inform your insurer. The message is that tinting your windows may effect your insurance premiums or your ability to obtain coverage.
Does Window Tinting count as a modification?
Tinted windows are a risky modification because they must let in at least 70% of light to be legal, or your vision will be severely restricted. However, shoddy installations and do-it-yourself jobs increase the chances of too-dark hues.
Do tints void warranty?
Window tint may affect your vehicle’s warranty, although this is unlikely. If the manufacturer cannot show this, the car owner retains their warranty rights, which cannot be easily revoked because they installed aftermarket car window tint.
Do exhausts affect insurance?
Any changes to the engine or vehicle mechanics, such as the exhaust system, transmission, or air filter, must be reported to your insurance company. If you install a turbo or supercharger to your engine, for example, the likelihood of an accident rises, affecting the cost of your insurance.
What is a car modification for insurance?
Any alteration you make to your car that differs from the factory settings is referred to as a modification. There are two types of modifications: performance and cosmetic.
Modifying your suspension, changing your wheels, increasing horsepower, turbo upgrades, re-engineering your engine, chip tuning and remaps, intake and exhaust upgrades, handling modifications, lowering the suspension, fuel upgrades, and transmission modifications are just a few examples of performance car modifications.
Go-faster stripes, body kit changes, sunroof installation, tinted windows, specialized paintwork, and speaker systems are examples of cosmetic automotive alterations.
Does your insurance go up if you wrap your car?
If the previous response leaves you perplexed as to why they’d want to know about any car changes, there are a few basic things to consider, which we’ll go over briefly here:
Accident damage
Insurance companies, in particular, might be picky about any changes or modifications you make to your vehicle because they may affect your annual rate. Consider the following scenario: you’re in an accident and your bodywork/vinyl wrap is damaged. If you don’t tell them you spent a lot of money getting your car wrapped and then try to get reimbursed for the expense of having it replaced, they’ll probably look at you funny and refuse to pay.
Void/discontinued insurance policy
To make matters worse, they may claim that your insurance coverage is void since you failed to inform them of the wrap in the first place. When you don’t have to, why risk giving them a reason to void the policy? Some insurance firms may refuse to renew your policy once you notify them that it has been wrapped. They’ll normally regard car wrapping as a cosmetic change or’modification’ to the vehicle, and some (albeit infrequently) will refuse to continue to cover the vehicle, rendering your policy useless. If this is the case, you will have no choice but to find a new insurance carrier to cover the vehicle.
However, many insurers are more accommodating, considering a car wrap to be a temporary alteration that can be quickly removed if necessary. As a result, you may find that your premium does not increase at all. It’s also worth noting that if you’ve hired us to wrap your car, we recommend contacting your insurance company before we start so you don’t end up with any unpleasant surprises afterwards. This will also allow you some time to look around and find an insurer with less stringent insurance terms.
Car modification legalities & the law
Let’s start with a simple scenario: your car has been taken from outside your home, and you need to contact the authorities. Once the police obtain the car’s registration number, the crucial color of the vehicle will be noted on their system based on the information registered with the DVLA. It’s especially likely that if your car is suddenly wrapped in metallic blue despite the fact that the DVLA has it listed as red, they’ll be looking for the wrong vehicle.
The same thing happens if your automobile is stolen and subsequently utilized in a crime, such as when the criminals fill it up with gas and drive off without paying. The fact that the vehicle’s recorded color does not match its actual color will irritate the cops. If you ever find yourself in a similar situation, you should also advise the police of the vehicle’s original color, as a car thief may attempt to camouflage the vehicle by removing all or part of the wrap.
The more eagle-eyed among you may have noticed the term “must” on this page of the Gov.uk website on making changes to a car… “You must amend the details on your registration certificate (V5C),” it adds. ‘Must,’ not’may,’ or ‘can.’ The website specifically lists color change as one of the things they’ll need to be aware of. Don’t be scared; it’s a straightforward procedure that you can check off your ‘to do’ list after it’s completed.
Summary
If you’re covering your automobile, notify the DVLA as soon as you’re finished. You should also notify your insurance company ahead of time of your plans so that you can ensure that your policy will be valid.
About us
When we’re not swatting down topics like this, we’re busy providing a variety of car customization services, such as full or partial PPFs, custom graphics and signwriting, and one of our favorite jobs, Kent car detailing.
Do you have to tell insurance about lowering?
Yes, you must notify your insurance carrier that your automobile has been lowered, as well as any other alterations you make. The reason for this is that if you have an accident, your insurance will not pay out because the mods have not been declared.