Does Car Wrapping Affect Insurance?

Is it true that automobile wrapping has an impact on insurance? No. In fact, the fact that your vehicle is easily identifiable may prevent robbers.

Will my insurance go up if I wrap my 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 wrapping your car, 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 delivering a variety of car customization services, like as full or partial PPFs, bespoke graphics and signwriting, and one of our favorite chores, Kent car detailing.

Why do insurance companies not like wraps?

For years, businesses have had their vans or business vehicles wrapped in their brand colors. Wrapping companies, such as Yiannimize, which was featured on the TV show Yianni: Supercar Customiser, have found success.

A wrap won’t improve your car’s performance, and it shouldn’t interfere with its safety features. So, what’s the deal with the declaration? A wrap, on the other hand, could pose a security risk. Covering your automobile with a bright color or pattern attracts attention from friends and passers-by, but it also attracts the attention of thieves.

A wrap, according to Jardine Motors Group, might increase your insurance price by 15%. Furthermore, some insurers will refuse to cover you, forcing you to seek the advice of a professional.

Is it worth it to wrap your car?

A car wrap will survive longer if it is not exposed to the elements. A car cover can last up to five years if properly maintained, according to Hülz. Excessive sun exposure, on the other hand, might “bake in” the vinyl wrap, making it more difficult to remove and reducing its longevity. The cover might only last a year if you park the car on the street and don’t maintain it clean, according to Hülz.

Impressive Wraps, which wrapped our Tesla Model 3 with a ceramic coating, protects beautiful vinyl wraps with a ceramic coating. This liquid “nano ceramic” coating is applied to the wrap by the installer. It hardens and protects the wrap from water damage, increases UV resistance, and can protect the wrap from minor scratches. The ceramic coating will make the wrap stay longer, but it isn’t cheap. A tiny automobile might cost around $1,500, while an SUV can cost around $1,800. That’s on top of the price you’ve already paid for the wrap.

Do you have to tell the DVLA if you wrap your car?

DVLA: In the past, a car wrap was not required to be reported to the DVLA because it was deemed a temporary change. Wraps, on the other hand, were deemed a permanent change by the DVLA in 2017, and all car owners are required to report this modification.

Is it cheaper to get a car painted or wrapped?

Wrapping a car is less expensive. With a vehicle wrap, you get more bang for your buck, regardless of the design. Wraps are currently less expensive than a full-body re-spray, especially if you desire a detailed pattern.

Can you put a wrapped car through a carwash?

You can use an automated brushless car wash to wash your wrapped vehicle, but hand cleaning is safer and more thorough. Brush vehicle washes may be overly harsh on the film, causing it to degrade and peel, as well as raised edges. Most wraps should be safe if a car wash employs water spray rather than brushes.

How much does a car wrap cost?

What is the cost of having a car wrapped? Wrapping costs vary depending on the type of material used, the amount of coverage required, and the size of the vehicle. For decent grade items, the price ranges from $10,000 to $100,000.

How long does a car wrap last?

For businesses wishing to promote themselves, a car wrap is a significant investment. Without the monthly cost of traditional advertising, a car wrap with the company name, logo, tagline, and contact information advertises the firm every day. Vinyl wrap car services, in addition to working as a mobile billboard, also safeguard the automobile’s original paint job from additional wear and damage for the duration of the vehicle wrap. In average, depending on the type of vinyl used, a car wrap can last up to seven years. If you’re considering using a vinyl wrap automobile design to market your business, keep in mind that higher-quality wraps stay longer and provide a better return on your investment than thinner films.

Can you sell a wrapped car?

The Bottom Line If you sell your car with the wrap still on, the value will certainly drop unless you’re extremely lucky and find a buyer that shares your tastes and you have proof that the wrap isn’t disguising any paint damage.

Car Wraps are Customizable

More and more individuals are electing to wrap their vehicles rather than obtaining custom paint jobs because all car wraps are individually crafted to suit the likes of each individual customer and may be designed to integrate any colors, messaging, images, or patterns imaginable. Getting a bespoke vehicle cover for your automobile can provide you the opportunity to have a vehicle that is truly distinctive.

Vehicle Wraps Protect Your Paint

Vinyl vehicle covers may add an extra layer of protection to your vehicle, protecting it from small cracks and dings as well as sun damage. Protecting the underlying paint of your car can help you keep the resale value of the car and avoid having to pay for minor paint repairs.

Vinyl Wraps are Removable

Vinyl vehicle wraps may be removed at any time without affecting the underlying paint, which is one of the key advantages of wrapping a car. Auto wraps can also be updated at any time, making it simple for business owners to update their branding or messaging, or for car enthusiasts to modify their vehicle’s exterior appearance more frequently.

Car Wraps are Cost Effective

Full vinyl car wraps allow you to change the external appearance of your vehicle for a fraction of the expense of a custom paint job without compromising the vehicle’s overall resale value.

Vinyl Wraps Offer Minimal Downtime

Custom paint jobs take a long time to prep, prime, and dry between coats, and can take several days or even weeks to finish (depending on the quality and complexity of the project), while vinyl car wraps are far faster. Vehicle wraps can be placed in as little as one to two days in most circumstances.

Vehicle Wraps Come in a Range of Options

Color-shifting wraps, which transition from one color to another depending on the angle of the light, are among the many color and finish options available for vehicle wraps. You can choose from a variety of various finishes, including as gloss, semi-gloss, or matte, depending on what color you want your car wrap to be. Vehicle wraps can be made to seem like carbon fiber, chrome, or stainless steel, for example.