Does window tinting affect my car insurance?
Auto insurance isn't usually affected by tinting your windows, but there may be some exceptions. Read on to learn when your tinted windows might raise your insurance rates and how much your coverage protects those windows.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Insurance Agent
UPDATED: Jun 22, 2022
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UPDATED: Jun 22, 2022
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider.
Our insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different insurance providers please enter your ZIP code above to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
On This Page
- Window tinting needs to meet individual state requirements to be legal
- Illegal window tinting can result in tickets or accidents that raise your car insurance rates
- Some insurance companies may require windows to be covered under modified car insurance
Typically, legal window tinting should not affect your auto insurance coverage or rates, but there are cases where you may see an increase in rates. However, you should also understand that you may need additional tint insurance if you want your windows to be covered after a crash, which can cause your rates to go up.
Read on to find out if window tinting will impact your rates, if tint tickets affect insurance, and when your car insurance rates will stay the same.
When does window tinting affect car insurance?
Window tinting will affect your car insurance if you don’t follow the state’s requirements and get a ticket or get into an accident. Do tint tickets affect insurance? Getting tickets for illegal window tinting will raise your rates, as will getting into an accident with illegally tinted windows. So why are illegally tinted windows such a big deal, and why does a tint ticket affect insurance?
Tinted windows can obstruct your view, especially at night. This can result in a higher chance of you getting into a crash. Therefore, insurance companies will raise your rates if you have gotten a ticket or are in a crash because of your illegal upgrade. Insurance companies may even refuse to insure you until you get legal windows. At the very least, you’ll face higher car insurance rates.
Your insurance rates will also increase if you purchase extra insurance for tinted windows, which is smart to do if you want the value of your windows covered. We will talk about what coverages you should purchase for tinted windows next.
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When does window tinting not affect car insurance?
If you don’t want your window tinting to affect your car insurance, it is important that your window tinting is legal. Different states have different rules on what level of window tinting is allowed. Making sure that your window tint is legal is the best way to ensure that your window tint doesn’t affect your insurance.
You should also let your insurer know you have tinted windows. If you choose not to get additional coverage for tinted windows, your car insurance rates should stay the same. However, this means you may get a lower payout for a claim.
This is because basic coverage doesn’t cover modifications such as tinted windows, so the amount you receive in a car insurance claim will be lower because the amount covers basic windows.
Will my insurer cover wear and tear to my tinted windows?
If your windows have normal wear and tear, the tinting may start to fade or fray. However, normal wear and tear won’t be covered under your insurance policy, as it is looked at as the normal aging of a car.
However, it will usually cover damages to your tinted windows from a crash if you meet the state requirements and have the right coverages. The best way to check that your tinted windows are covered in the case of a crash is to call your insurance company and speak to a representative.
Getting the Right Auto Insurance Coverage for Tinted Windows
In general, whether car insurance covers a cracked windshield will depend on the type of coverage you have. If you just have liability insurance, it won’t cover your windows in an at-fault accident. Some insurance companies may cover your window tints under regular comprehensive and collision coverage. However, in some cases, even if you have collision and comprehensive coverage, other insurance companies may require you to purchase additional coverage for your tinted windows.
The additional coverage for any modifications to your car is modified car insurance. For example, the modified car insurance coverage will cover your tinted windows if your insurer doesn’t cover tinted windows on your regular insurance. This coverage ensures that if your windows are damaged in an accident, you’ll get the full value of your windows paid for.
If you recently added tinted windows to your car, it is best to call your insurer and discuss the different types of car insurance coverage for your windows.
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The Final Word on Window Tinting and Car Insurance
As long as window tinting meets the state’s requirements, drivers’ insurance rates shouldn’t increase. However, drivers may need to purchase additional coverage if they want their window’s full value covered in a crash.
If you want to look for car insurance coverage covering both your car and your tinted windows, a quote comparison tool can help you find the best rates in your area.
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Daniel Walker
Licensed Insurance Agent
Daniel Walker graduated with a BS in Administrative Management in 2005 and has run his family’s insurance agency, FCI Agency, for over 15 years (BBB A+). He is licensed as an insurance agent to write property and casualty insurance, including home, life, auto, umbrella, and dwelling fire insurance. He’s also been featured on sites like Reviews.com and Safeco. To ensure our content is accura...
Licensed Insurance Agent
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.