The Wrap-Up: Understanding How Vehicle Wraps Impact Insurance Policies

Car wrapping is a way of temporarily changing the look of your car, but as it's classed as a modification, you may need to declare it to your insurance company, and it could affect your premiums. Car wrapping has become popular in recent years as a cheap and temporary way to change the colour and appearance of your car. It is also less labour-intensive than a respray with paint and can protect the existing paint underneath. However, your car insurance could be void if the vehicle has been wrapped and you don't declare it. That's because, like any change made to a car after the first registration, a wrap is classed as a modification – and all modifications must be declared when taking out an insurance policy.

Car wrapping is a modification

Car wrapping involves applying a coloured, patterned, or sign-written vinyl or plastic film over a car's original paintwork. It is a way of temporarily changing the look of a car without the need for a complicated and potentially expensive paint respray. While wrapping your car is completely legal, doing so may impact how much you pay for your insurance premiums, and some people may struggle to find insurance altogether.

Car wrapping is considered a modification as you are altering the vehicle's standard factory specification, meaning you must notify your insurer of any colour changes. A modification is defined as any change made to a car that alters it from the standard manufacturer or factory specifications. These changes can be anything from cosmetic changes to practical enhancements.

If you don't declare the car wrap to your insurer, your insurance policy could be void. That's because, like any change made to a car after the first registration, a wrap is classed as a modification – and all modifications must be declared when taking out an insurance policy.

Insurance companies can be finicky about any changes or modifications made to your car as it can affect your annual premium. For example, if you're involved in an accident that damages the bodywork/vinyl wrap and you haven't told them that you've spent money on having your car wrapped, they'll likely take a dim view of it and refuse to pay out.

If you don't declare your car wrap, you risk any future claims being rejected following an accident or theft. Failure to disclose a car modification can also be classed as fraud.

If you change the appearance of your car with a new colour or pattern from a car wrap, you need to inform the relevant authorities. In the UK, this is done by updating and sending off your V5C form.

Declare to insurance or risk invalidating your policy

Car wrapping has become popular in recent years as a temporary way to change the colour and appearance of your car. It is also cheaper than a respray and can add an extra layer of protection to your vehicle. However, if you don't declare the change to your insurance company, your insurance policy could be void.

Wrapping a car is considered a modification, and all modifications must be declared when taking out an insurance policy. This is because modifications can increase the value of your car, making it a higher risk of theft. If you don't declare a car wrap, your insurance company may refuse to pay out for any damage to the wrap following an accident or theft.

It is also important to notify the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) of any car wrap, as they need to be aware of any colour changes to your vehicle. If your wrapped car is stolen, the police will have inaccurate information, making it more difficult to locate.

Before making any changes to the colour of your car, it is essential to let your insurer know so they can advise if there are any changes to your cover and if it will affect your premiums. By keeping your insurance provider updated, you can ensure that you are appropriately covered in the event of an accident or theft.

In conclusion, failing to declare a car wrap to your insurance company could result in your policy being invalidated. It is always best to be honest and upfront about any modifications to your vehicle to avoid any issues with your insurance cover.

Declare to the DVLA

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) must be informed of any car wrapping, as it is considered a permanent change to your vehicle. This is because the police and other law enforcement agencies rely on the DVLA to provide accurate information on vehicles during an investigation. For example, if your car is stolen, the DVLA will use the information on file to send out a police alert. If your car is technically blue, but it's fully covered with an orange wrap, it would be much more effective to have this information on file rather than sending out a report with a blue description.

You will need to complete section 7 of the registration certificate (V5C) to notify the DVLA of the colour change. Once complete, you can return it to:

DVLA

Swansea

SA99 1BA

Once the paperwork has been submitted to report the change of colour, you should receive a new certificate within 2-4 weeks.

It is important to note that even if only a large portion of your vehicle is wrapped, and some of the original colour remains visible, you must still inform the DVLA of this modification.

In addition to notifying the DVLA, it is also crucial to inform your car insurance company about the wrap. Some insurance providers may consider car wraps a temporary change and may not require you to fill out any paperwork. However, others may deny insurance claims if you fail to report the wrap. Therefore, it is recommended to let your insurance company know about your intentions in advance so that you can confirm that your policy will remain valid.

By keeping your insurance provider and the DVLA updated about the colour change to your vehicle, you can ensure that you are appropriately covered in case of any incidents, accidents, or theft.

Car wrapping can increase insurance premiums

Car wrapping is a way to temporarily change the look of your car by applying a coloured, patterned, or sign-written vinyl or plastic film over the original paintwork. It is completely legal, but it may impact your insurance premiums as it is considered a modification.

Car Wrapping as a Modification

Car wrapping is considered a modification as it alters the vehicle's standard factory specification. All modifications must be declared when taking out an insurance policy, and failure to do so could result in your insurance policy being void. Some insurance companies regard a wrap as a modification and may be apprehensive about providing coverage, while others may offer reduced coverage for the modified portions of the vehicle. Therefore, it is important to contact your insurance provider before wrapping your vehicle to understand how it may affect your premiums.

Impact on Insurance Premiums

Wrapping your vehicle can lead to an increase in insurance premiums for several reasons. Firstly, a wrapped car may be more sought after by thieves or vandals, increasing the risk of theft or vandalism. Secondly, if your vehicle is stolen, the police access details from the DVLA database, and if they do not have accurate information about the colour change, it will be more difficult to locate the vehicle. Thirdly, in the event of an accident, you may need to claim on your insurance to cover the cost of a replacement wrap, which will not be covered if the insurer was not notified of the wrap. Finally, if your vehicle is wrapped and you do not declare it, your insurance policy could be void, and any claims may be rejected.

While car wrapping can add a personal touch to your vehicle and protect the paintwork, it is important to consider the potential impact on your insurance premiums. Be sure to notify your insurance provider and the DVLA of any colour changes to ensure appropriate coverage and avoid complications in the event of an accident, theft, or vandalism.

Car wrapping can make your car more of a target for theft or vandalism

Car wrapping can make your vehicle more of a target for theft or vandalism. This is because wrapping your car can make it more visible and noteworthy, especially if you opt for a bright colour or pattern. As a result, your insurance premium may increase.

In addition, if your car is wrapped and you don't declare it to your insurer, your insurance policy could be void. This is because a wrap is classed as a modification, and all modifications must be declared when taking out an insurance policy. If you don't declare the wrap, your insurance company may refuse to cover the cost of a replacement wrap in the event of an accident.

It's also important to notify the relevant authorities, such as the DVLA in the UK, when you wrap your car. This is because the colour of a vehicle must be registered, and wrapping your car means you are altering its appearance. If you don't update the vehicle's registration details, the police won't have accurate information about its appearance, making it more difficult to locate if it's stolen.

Frequently asked questions