- There should be no premium increase as long as the tinting is not unlawful in the state where the vehicle is built and is done according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- You should always notify your insurance company about any modifications or customizations you make to your vehicle.
- Although it may be a bit more expensive, having the work done by a dealer or other bonded and insured installer is vital and will save money in the long term.
Will my insurance go up if I tint my windows?
While any alteration to your car that is not factory standard must be reported to your insurance provider, many modifications are unlikely to affect your insurance cost. Some of these are listed below.
Water cooling systems (brakes)
A water cooling system is another addition that increases braking performance. Misting devices, for example, have been installed to some cars’ brake ducts to prevent them from overheating. These are unlikely to have an impact on your insurance premium.
Sound systems
Sound systems are a common (and relatively inexpensive) modification. The majority of people have seen or heard a car with an aftermarket subwoofer. This is a speaker system that emphasizes low-frequency sounds like bass and sub-bass. You won’t see a premium increase unless you choose a high-value system.
Dashboard add-ons and upgrades
You can change your dashboard for a variety of reasons, such as adding a built-in satellite navigation system or a car phone, or for aesthetic reasons, such as installing wood paneling. In either case, it’s unlikely to have an impact on your premium.
Custom gear knobs
Modifications to gear knobs are also possible. Some drivers will replace their current one because it is worn out or because they prefer something more ergonomic or aesthetically pleasant (e.g. leather, sparkly). Skulls, gaming joysticks, and film prop replicas are among the novelty alternatives. They may influence your ability to shift gears, but they are unlikely to effect your insurance premiums.
Novelty hub caps
Some automobile owners choose to personalize their vehicles by putting spinning hub caps or light-up hub caps on their wheels, for example. While these can pose a theft risk and require notification to your insurance carrier, non-performance wheel changes are unlikely to effect your premium.
Do tinted windows affect insurance?
Tinted windows will neither raise or lower your insurance premiums as long as they are legal.
While there are no limits on tinting your back windows and windscreen in the United Kingdom, there are restrictions on tinting your front windscreen and side-view windows. The front windscreen must allow at least 75 percent of light in and the front side windows must allow at least 70 percent of light in.
Is a tow bar classed as a modification?
Because tow bars deviate from the manufacturer’s factory specification, they are classified as a modification, thus you should notify your insurer if you are installing one on your vehicle. The addition of a tow bar, on the other hand, is unlikely to affect your insurance cost.
Do wind deflectors affect insurance?
Wind deflectors are often a manufacturer’s option, and your insurer is unlikely to raise your premiums as a result of installing them. However, because they are a bodywork change, your insurer should be notified if you install wind deflectors.
Are headlight modifications legal?
Custom headlights are frequently prohibited. Only white lights can be installed in the front of your automobile, and red lights can be installed in the back. Colored LEDs are not permitted and may result in an on-the-spot fine, the cancellation of your insurance coverage, and the impoundment of your vehicle until it is declared road-legal again. This includes LEDs in washer jets, which are not allowed.
What about under-car neon lights?
Under-car neon lights are a popular upgrade. These can be lawfully installed, but the tubing must not be seen, and the light must not be so bright that it distracts you or other road users. Flashing under-car lights, for example, are prohibited.
In general, lighting will not raise your insurance premiums. However, your insurer may request a supplement based on your claims history and theft risk, especially if you’re a younger driver.
Lowering your suspension
It is acceptable to lower a car’s suspension as long as it does not compromise steering or headlight aim. Headlight aim is governed by tight guidelines, as alterations to headlights have the potential to dazzle other vehicles.
Another problem with lowering a car is that it loses its capacity to clear uneven road surfaces like speed bumps. Over-lowering can also make the car’s handling less effective, putting the driver and passengers at risk. However, this change is purely cosmetic and is unlikely to have an impact on your premium.
Replacing bushings
Small rubber or polyurethane suspension components that isolate vibration, provide cushioning, and reduce friction between metal parts are known as bushings. Some drivers replace rubber bushings with polyurethane bushings, which last longer and perform a better job of dampening vibrations and reducing weight transfer.
These won’t affect your insurance coverage, but you should still declare them like you would any other change.
Racing elements
Following the introduction of speed cameras on British highways in the 1990s, track days became increasingly popular. As a result, people began to modify their vehicles for track use by installing roll cages and roll bars. In the case of an accident, these frameworks are incorporated into the car to protect the driver and/or passenger.
You may need to seek a modified auto insurance policy from a specialist insurer if you can’t find an insurance provider that would cover these under ordinary coverage.
Do I need to tell my insurance if I tint my windows?
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.
Why you shouldn’t tint your windows?
Tint films help keep harmful sunlight out of your car’s interior, as well as you and your passengers.
Professional window tinting protects your vehicle while still looking elegant, and it lasts longer than a DIY job. You can simply maintain the performance and beauty of your tinting with regular care.
So, if you’re curious about window tinting, here’s all you need to know about professional car window tinting in Ottawa.
Protection from UV Rays
Window tint films may block up to 99 percent of the sun’s ultra-violet (UV-A and UV-B) rays. UV light is the cause of solar damage to the skin (sunburns and skin cancer).
Long-term exposure to UV radiation can cause fading or cracking of your car’s interior components. Window tinting helps safeguard the investment you’ve made in your vehicle for years to come by blocking UV light.
If you ever plan to sell your vehicle, a spotless interior is a huge bonus and will help it hold its worth for longer.
Professional installation can help you get the most out of your tints, ensuring maximum protection and preserving the value of your car.
Reduced Heat in Vehicles
Another advantage of obstructing sunlight? On a hot summer day, the interior of your automobile will be cooler. Window tinting helps to block infrared (IR) light, which is the wavelength that transports the heat energy that causes cars to heat up.
Cars become extremely hot when the sun shines down on them. Have you ever handled a seat belt buckle that had been exposed to the sun during the summer?
Window tinting can provide both sun protection and heat reduction. They assist in lowering the temperature (not to mention help keep things safe to the touch). You won’t have to have the air conditioner on all the time, and you’ll save money on gas as a result.
Security
In the event of an impact, some window tint films protect windows from breaking. In fact, certain tints are made particularly for this purpose, with adhesive characteristics that help hold cracked glass together.
These films can assist prevent shattered glass from falling within and on you or your passengers if you’re ever in an accident.
Furthermore, if a thief tries to break through a window, the film can deter or slow down the intruder.
The longer it takes to break in, the more likely your alarm will sound, alerting others to the attempted break-in. Plus, you won’t have to spend hours meticulously removing broken glass when it’s time to deal with the damage.
How Do Window Tints Work?
“How does it work?” is one of the most often asked questions about tinting.
A clear polyester film with a very thin coating of tinting chemicals is used to make window tints. Metals and dyes are among the tinting agents.
Because the metals reflect light and the dyes absorb it, the overall amount of light passing through your windows is reduced. Some window tint coatings also block light at night, preventing glare from approaching vehicles’ headlights.
These tinting agents only allow a certain amount of visible light to pass through by reflecting and absorbing light, a process known as Visible Light Transference (VLT).
Window tinting reduces VLT and is graded according to how much light can pass through. The lesser the amount of VLT, the darker the tint.
The VLT of car window film tints can range from 2.5 percent to 90 percent. A VLT of 100 percent, for example, means that all visible light may pass through the glass. There would be no tinting chemicals present, and the window would be completely clear.
Are Window Tints Legal?
Provinces have imposed regulatory restrictions on the VLT of window tints due to the reduction in visibility.
The tinting of front windshields is prohibited under Ontario law. Additionally, the windows to the driver’s right and left must not block more than 30% of visible light.
As a result, in Ontario, the lowest allowed percentage of VLT for these front windows is 70%.
How Are Tints Installed?
Before installing the tint film, professional window tint installers clean and sanitize the inside of the automobile windows. This treatment removes any dust or grime from the window, ensuring that the tint adheres properly.
Cleaning the windows will also avoid the formation of air bubbles. While air bubbles may occur following installation, they should dissipate after a few weeks.
The window tint film will be installed on the interior side of your car windows after the windows have been primed. An adhesive is used to keep them in place. Because this will take time to dry, don’t open your windows for at least three days after they’ve been installed.
Are you ready to begin window tinting? To get started, contact the professionals immediately, and enjoy a cool, comfortable vehicle with a sleek tint that will last for years.
Do I need to tell my insurance if I lower my car?
Examine little and big changes that affect your insurance before making a possibly costly change. Based on a MoneySupermarket poll, this handy table indicates the sort of change and the projected potential rise.
Changes to the vehicle’s power/performance will naturally result in the highest premium increase, although paintwork and artwork will also see a boost.
Car modifications relate to any alterations or additions made to the vehicle since it left the factory, excluding originally-installed manufacturer options. That’s why we all know that adding modifications like big wheels, reduced suspension, and a turbocharged engine to your automobile can raise your insurance premiums. Covering your car in a gaudy color or pattern, according to Motoring Research, could be considered a modification and affect your insurance rates.
Did you realize, however, that even modest and common car modifications can have an impact on your insurance rates? Insurance companies base their rates on perceived risk, and any changes can raise or lower your risk score. While you may try to find a way around alerting your insurance company, each change you make must be documented.
Insurance Risk Factors
Insurance companies examine three key risk variables when considering premium increases:
- If the alteration makes the car more appealing to thieves, it increases the danger of theft.
- If the alteration increases the car’s worth by making it more expensive to fix or replace,
Here are some modest automotive modifications that can raise or lower your insurance costs to assist you confirm what and how these changes effect your insurance.
How much does a spoiler affect insurance?
Increasing the premium Changes are only likely to raise your insurance premiums if they raise your ‘risk.’ This includes anything that could increase your chances of having an accident. Engine improvements, spoilers, and bumpers are all examples of features that can make your automobile riskier, resulting in increased insurance prices.
How do car modifications affect insurance?
Your insurance premium is determined by the likelihood of you filing a claim. As a result, when it comes to adjustments, insurance companies will take into account the following factors:
- Because it is generally more expensive to repair or replace parts, if the changes enhance the value of your car, your insurance claims may be greater.
- You may be more likely to be involved in a speed-related accident if you’ve made your car faster.
- Your car may be more vulnerable to theft, especially if you’ve fitted expensive technology or altered its performance. Insurance companies may also presume that any modifications that differ from the manufacturer’s regular settings cannot be guaranteed and may compromise the vehicle’s integrity.
- Because young drivers are statistically more likely to file an insurance claim, any changes they make could increase their rate even more.
Remember that if you make changes to your car during the insurance period, you must notify your insurance company. This may affect the premium cost, and you may be charged an amendment or service fee as a result. Before you change your car, check with your insurance provider to see how it may effect your premium.
Can you make tints darker?
- Tinting is permitted on the upper 4 inches of the windshield. It must be a non-reflective tint.
- Front Side Windows: Film tinting must be at least 88 percent visual light transmittance (VLT). The windows can only be tinted to a maximum of 70% VLT.
- Rear Window: You may tint your rear window to any degree of blackness, but you must have dual side mirrors on your car if you do so.
Is tinting a car a modification?
If your automobile comes standard with tinted windows, you may be able to save money on your car insurance. This is primarily due to the fact that tinted windows might help to decrease theft by making it more difficult to see inside your vehicle.
Road safety might also benefit from tinted windows. If you’re in an accident, the tinted plastic film on your windows can assist keep the glass from shattering. This will reduce damage to your vehicle as well as the risk of injury to you and your passengers.
Tinted windows, on the other hand, may raise your insurance premiums – especially if you tint them yourself. This is due to the fact that they are classified as a vehicle modification. And, like with other automotive modifications, they’ll be expensive to repair if you get into an accident. If you have your windows tinted as an aftermarket modification, make sure to tell your insurer.
What percentage of tint should I get?
UV rays and heat are effectively blocked by a car window tint ratio of 50%. It reduces glare and eye strain by blocking half of the light. The optimal window tint percentage for your mobile car is 35 percent if you want a fashionable and smooth look.