All About Car Wrapping in India

Posted on: Oct 20, 2023 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

All About Car Wrapping in India

A car is one of the prized possessions for many people. It's not just money, but people also invested emotionally in their vehicles. And just like any other belongings, one may wish to upgrade or bring a change in their car. Some may install new speakers, new wheel covers, and seat covers to new mattresses. Apart from these, you may also have seen people getting their car colour changed and may wonder what has been done! Well, that may be a car wrap.

Before going for a car wrap, there are various questions that a car owner may have, like "Is car wrap legal in India, what exactly is a car wrap, what are the legalities associated with it, the effect of car wrap on the car insurance and so on? This article will talk all about car wrapping, from its meaning to how it can change the aspects of your car insurance . So, continue reading to know more.

What is Car Wrapping?

Car wrapping, as the name implies, is altering the outer appearance of your car using a vinyl film without affecting the original colour of the car (although it remains covered under the film). Car wrapping simply refers to changing the colour or adding a new layer of protection to your car's exterior body. It has become quite popular these days due to a number of reasons (discussed further).

A car wrap involves installing a vinyl film on the outer body of the car. This vinyl film comes in a range of colours, and you may choose one as per your preferences and needs. Some people may go for a layer of vinyl just to bring a change in the look of the colour, and others may do it for showcasing advertisements. It is also a great way to add a layer of protection against scratches, safety to the original colour of the car, and so on. One important concern for many people can be "Is car wrap legal in India? Read on to know about it.

Is Car Wrapping Legal in India?

Here is the answer to "Is car wrap legal in India? In simple words, car wrapping in a different colour is not legal in India. This means you can only get a car wrap that has the same colour as that mentioned in the registration certificate of your car. So, those who are planning to alter the colour of their car in India are probably going to feel disheartened. Installing a different colour of vinyl film on your car is illegal and thus includes penalties and legalities as well.

Car wrapping in a different colour is illegal in India since such an act may attract thieves. Altering the car's hue can make it an easy target for thieves and may also indicate illegal activities. In case you are planning to upgrade your vehicle with vinyl film, make sure to adhere to the legal formalities. Also, securing your vehicle with comprehensive car insurance is a must for overall protection.

Important Points to Consider Regarding Car Wrapping

There are certain things that you should be careful about when going for car wrapping. These include:

1. Colour of the vinyl film

As aforementioned, car wrap in India is only legal until you retain the original colour of the car. Hence, when you go for a car wrap, make sure to choose the exact colour as mentioned in the registration certificate (RC) of your car. Do not change the shade of the colour as well as it can bring a major change overall to the outer body of the car.

2. Texture of the car wrap:

Cars have different textures. Some can be matte, while some can be glossy and shiny. When you are opting for a car wrap, the texture of the original car must also be retained. You cannot change the texture of the car wrap. The texture is also mentioned in the RC book. So, make sure to choose a vinyl film with the same texture.

3. Legal burdens:

A car gone under car wrapping may have to go through additional legalities in case of any mishap, especially theft. In case your vehicle gets stolen and gets used for illegal activities, police may ask you for additional ownership proof. The process may sound hectic at times.

4. Car insurance:

Having a minimum of third party car insurance is a must in India. Hence you too, must have car insurance for your car. So, before going for car wrapping, you need to inform your insurance company about it.

Pros and Cons of Car Wrapping

Car wrapping has its own pros and cons, and only after knowing the advantages and disadvantages should you make a decision. Here is a table showing the various pros and cons of car wrapping:

S. No.	Advantages of car wrapping
1	Car wrapping brings a change to the look of your car. It makes it look new and fresh
2	Car wrapping is not a costly deal and can be easily under your budget
3	Car wrap provides protection against UV rays and scratches
4	By wrapping your car in a vinyl film, the original colour of the car remains safe and protected
5	It is very easy to both install and remove car wraps
6	There is a range of colours and textures available. So, you can easily find one for your vehicle
7	For the purpose of advertisement, car wraps can be a great choice that is cost-effective as well.

Here are some of the cons of the car wrap:

S. No.	Disadvantages of car wrapping
1	Car wrapping can be a time-consuming process and has to be done very precisely and carefully
2	Poorly done car wrap can look inferior
3	Car wraps are not highly durable, especially in humid or rainy areas

How to Get Car Insurance for a Vinyl-Wrapped Car?

Every motor vehicle, including cars, has to have car insurance as a legal formality. So, you must let your insurer know about your car wrapping plans before you do it. This is a must. Here is how the process will go on:

1. The insurance company has to be informed about the car wrap since the whole car is covered by a car insurance policy

2. There is no different procedure for getting car insurance for a car with a vinyl film. In case you wish to switch to a new car insurance company or this is the first time you are purchasing a car insurance plan, the process remains the same

3. You must note that a car with a car wrap may involve a slightly higher premium.

Conclusion

Car wrapping sounds like a great way of adding a layer of protection and style to your car. However, before going for it, you must make changes to your car within the legal boundaries to avoid unnecessary legal problems. Once you are done styling your car, make sure to have active car insurance to ensure complete protection of the vehicle.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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