Vinyl wrap and insurance?

[JERM^]

Hey guys,

I am thinking of vinyl wrapping my new BRZ. Not that I don't like the blue, I just want to save that colour for a few years later and rice a carbon wrap on the hood. Does this need to get up to the insurance company? If it does, has anyone ever got into trouble disclosing this? I have 3 cars 2 real estates in my family under the same policy with TD... I sure do not want things to get complicated...

Ontario's insurance companies are so uptight with ANYTHING that it is getting me a little paranoid. While performance parts are definitely taboo to disclose, sometimes it gets really ridiculous about the stories I have experienced / heard. You know I was originally rejected of insurance when I told the rep that I put on winter wheel sets that are not OEM? You know that someone online said they got refused because they said they have a sticker on their car?

Enlighten me please.

[gramicci101]

The vinyl wrap will change the aerodynamic properties of the car and reduce the effectiveness of the brakes, which will lead the insurance company not to cover front end collisions.

Just kidding, I don't know. I would think it wouldn't be any different than window tint, but you should call the company and ask to be sure.

[HeadBanger]

My insurance company won't insure me if I have something like FT86Club.com on my car, but a sticker like a sports team logo is ok. FT86 logo is advertising. But IMO so is a sports team logo. And sports team makes millions more...

Call them. Only way to find out really. I can see it being more of an issue with police. If you have a black car and they're looking for a white one sort of thing.

[Tcoat]

Asked a buddy in the industry and he says wrap will not mean a thing unless you try to make a claim for it but never added the value to the policy. Or... if you wreck the paint taking it off and try to claim for that. Otherwise ya sort of like tint.

Not sure about the police end of it. I am sure that loads of cars get painted without changing the info at the MTO and wrap isn't a "permanent" colour change. I will ask somebody that will actually know.

[JERM^]

Those seem to be good answers. At least knowing that it isn't as taboo to even just ask. I've heard people getting in shit simply because they asked if he could go track their car lol.

That brings in another thing. Performance parts, I know that the companies don't like it. However does that automatically mean refuse payout if I have a CAI on my car in case I hit someone or even worse if someone hit me?

[Tcoat]

Ok really bored so checked Highway Traffic Act for fines for not reporting colour change and could not find anything even remotely referencing it. So the police may not be impressed but not sure what they could ticket you under.

There were some other interesting ones though:
Colour coating obscuring interior - Does not say what percent of tint is ok so they could ticket for ANY

Fail to notify re vehicle stored more than2 weeks - You guys that store for the winter better tell the Police!

Drive with headlamp/tail lamp coated - Again no level said that is "ok" so any tinted headlights could be classed as "coated"

And my favorite!
No sleigh bells - That is all it says! Nothing about them being on an actual sleigh (most that refer to animal drawn vehicles say so) so technically could be held against any vehicle on the road. ONLY IN CANADA EH!

[DimSumHero]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

Ok really bored so checked Highway Traffic Act for fines for not reporting colour change and could not find anything even remotely referencing it. So the police may not be impressed but not sure what they could ticket you under.

There were some other interesting ones though:
Colour coating obscuring interior - Does not say what percent of tint is ok so they could ticket for ANY

Fail to notify re vehicle stored more than2 weeks - You guys that store for the winter better tell the Police!

Drive with headlamp/tail lamp coated - Again no level said that is "ok" so any tinted headlights could be classed as "coated"

And my favorite!
No sleigh bells - That is all it says! Nothing about them being on an actual sleigh (most that refer to animal drawn vehicles say so) so technically could be held against any vehicle on the road. ONLY IN CANADA EH!

Here in Alberta I believe you get a max of 30% on the sides but unlimited in the rear window.

As for headlights if you get your fog lights tinted you can be pulled over.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by DimSumHero

Here in Alberta I believe you get a max of 30% on the sides but unlimited in the rear window.

As for headlights if you get your fog lights tinted you can be pulled over.

Drove around for years with tinted windows and lights never had a cop say anything. Just found it interesting the way the law is worded that it is totally up to their discretion as to what they want to call "coated"

[drewbot]

I think the colour change should be reported, no?

The MTO vehicle registration has the colour of the vehicle. Last thing you want is to get pulled over and it doesn't match the description.

As for insurance with any mods - they're an insurance company. Anything beyond the norm will raise alarm bells. They are by nature very conservative, and that's how they make money....

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by drewbot

I think the colour change should be reported, no?

The MTO vehicle registration has the colour of the vehicle. Last thing you want is to get pulled over and it doesn't match the description.

As for insurance with any mods - they're an insurance company. Anything beyond the norm will raise alarm bells. They are by nature very conservative, and that's how they make money....

Yes the colour change is supposed to be reported in 6 days BUT... I can find no way for them to fine/prosecute you for not doing it! Not to say there isn't I just can't find it (and I have to find this sort of thing frequently for my job so I am usually pretty good at it).

[JERM^]

Tinted window should be fine. Been pulled over few times on stupid stuff (mistaken me from being a participant of a noisy car meet and another time not having my front license plate installed), the tint has never been raised as an issue for me. Plus, if even dealerships offer this option it can't be illegal

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by JERM^

Tinted window should be fine. Been pulled over few times on stupid stuff (mistaken me from being a participant of a noisy car meet and another time not having my front license plate installed), the tint has never been raised as an issue for me. Plus, if even dealerships offer this option it can't be illegal

Window tinting is addressed in sections 73 and 74 of the (Highway Traffic Act) whereby the surface of the windshield or any side window to the left or right of the driver cannot be coated with any colour spray or other colour coating in such a manner as to obstruct the driver's view of the roadway, or obscure the view from outside to the interior of the motor vehicle. Ontario's law doesn't specify a percentage of tint. it's up to police to decide whether your windows are too dark. I have never had any cop say anything about mine either but doesn't mean they can't!
In British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia, it's illegal to have ANY tint at all on driver and passenger side windows but I bet the dealers still do it there as well.

[wparsons]

Originally Posted by JERM^

Tinted window should be fine. Been pulled over few times on stupid stuff (mistaken me from being a participant of a noisy car meet and another time not having my front license plate installed), the tint has never been raised as an issue for me. Plus, if even dealerships offer this option it can't be illegal

100% false.

The rule of thumb in Ontario is that if the officer can't tell your gender with your windows up, you'll get a ticket. Technically, by the HTA, ANY tint is illegal.

That said, I've gone through ride programs with the passenger window up and an officer on both sides of the car (and red tinted tails), and they've never even flinched. My tint is pretty light at ~35%, but it's definitely noticeable.

[HeadBanger]

I work at a dealership on the border of Ontario and Quebec. When we sell a car to a Quebecer and they want tint, we ask if they want it legal or not. Quebec has a percentage limit on the side windows I believe.