Car wrapping and nsurance?

Soldato
Joined
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I'm not going to do anything dodgy. :p

Do you have to tell the insurance though because you are changing the colour of the car however not changing the actual paintwork as per V5?

The reason being, it doesn't affect the performance, could possibly affect the colour if different. but could show you would actually care about the car or not maybe if it is to cover a bodge?

Peoples thoughts?
 
As I understand it, plastidip and vinyl wraps do not need to be declared as they are not a permanent colour change, but I'd ring your insurer to make sure!

I'm sure there must be something they have to change in the database (even if its only a note against your policy). Otherwise if your car gets nicked the Police will be a tad confused if the silver car they are looking for is actually bright green!
 
As above, when I wrapped the X6 I just informed them that it was now matte. They didn't want to know as the base colour was not changed, however they told me that if it was stolen to tell the police about the wrap when reporting it so they were looking for the correct colour.
 
Hang on how does the v5 work? So you have a white car but wrapped in black, blast through a speed camera and then appeal because clearly your car isn't the same colour as it is in the photo?

Edit: Yep as expected you need to advise the DVLA of a colour change (assuming changing colour rather than the same matte of course).

http://reforma-uk.com/faqs/
 
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I'm not going to do anything dodgy. :p

Do you have to tell the insurance though because you are changing the colour of the car however not changing the actual paintwork as per V5?

The reason being, it doesn't affect the performance, could possibly affect the colour if different. but could show you would actually care about the car or not maybe if it is to cover a bodge?

Peoples thoughts?

It depends on your insurer.

Read you policy documents. Many insurers will ask to be informed about all mods including purely cosmetic ones.
 
Didn't realise you had to tell the DVLA. I thought that was for permanent colour changes only.
 
I'd be amazed if you didn't need to tell the DVLA and your insurer. Vehicle colour can have a bearing on your premium. If certain colours of your car are stolen more often than other colours this will be reflected in the cost of your insurance.
 
They will know the second you give them your reg.

I had a quote yesterday and didn't know the reg. I wasn't asked the colour but they still gave me a quote without either.

Also how do online comparison sites work if you choose a make and model without a reg?
 
That would be a pain if you change the colour of your plastidip regularly like some people do.
pain yes, but legally need to tell dvla - i guess the new ruling might help people choose a colour and stick to it for 2minutes before getting bored ;) Could a cop-out be to have it marked as multi-coloured and thus can change the design/colours without messing with the v5 each time? (my last car's v5 just had "multi-coloured" or something like that, not "white with a black roof" - so i guess anything with more than 1 colour would have fallen under that umbrella?)

I would have thought wraps need to be declared as a mod to insurance, as even changing alloys, or window tints need to - as in their eyes, something that stands out as being different is arguably a greater target for either theft or damage (keying). A striking wrap (e.g. a matte or chrome) would surely make the car stand out more, and thus be a bigger target for "attention"
 
[TW]Fox;29995246 said:
You can obtain a quote online without a registration number.
True, but I assumed you would just give them your reg.
Also how do online comparison sites work if you choose a make and model without a reg?
Again, thats a good point. Though I suspect they could change the quote slightly once you actually give them your reg number over the phone or whatever, but I guess they wouldn't.

Perhaps the whole colour thing is just a myth...

Is the name thing a myth? I.E people called Dave get their car nicked more often, so its £50 more expensive than if you're called Clive?
 
Thanks for the ideas to check out all. I figured it might be an issue but as with fox it was never asked to me but I know sometimes the colours of cars can affect theft and people in black cars etc are more likely to have accidents for example (don't know if it's true, just an example).
 
You are supposed to register a colour change with the DVLA now, but I suspect most people don't bother. It will be a problem if the car ever gets stolen though.

If you wrap it the same colour (to protect the paint or go matt etc), I doubt anyone cares.
 
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What colour is a Polo Harlequin registered as? And would you have to register a colour change with the DVLA if you replaced a panel from another colour car?












:D
 
Wonder what would happen in this case then....
My brand new from the factory Fiat scudos on the V5's were white but were like below. Gold :)

vX0eLiG.jpg
 
Looks like a kinda pearlescenty goldy white. :p

Do they look white-ish under any kind of light?
 
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