Does debadging a car affect car insurance rates?
Wondering does debadging a car affect car insurance rates? Because debadging a car doesn't change the value of the vehicle, your car insurance rates won't change if you remove the badges from your vehicle. Most drivers debadge their cars if their cars are more susceptible to theft or vandalism.
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Professor & Published Author
D. Gilson is a writer and author of essays, poetry, and scholarship that explore the relationship between popular culture, literature, sexuality, and memoir. His latest book is Jesus Freak, with Will Stockton, part of Bloomsbury’s 33 1/3 Series. His other books include I Will Say This Exactly One Time and Crush. His first chapbook, Catch & Release, won the 2012 Robin Becker Prize from S...
D. Gilson, PhD
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...
Daniel Walker
Updated December 2023
- Debadging a car or truck is taking off the manufacturer’s markings and emblems that identify the vehicle on the exterior
- Debadging is common for people who do not want the make and model of the car they are driving to be easily identified
- A car insurance policy is based on the vehicle identification number (VIN), so removing outer markings does change car insurance rates
Does debadging a car affect insurance? If you are going to remove the manufacturer’s markings and emblems that identify your car or truck on the exterior, then you may be curious about how changes like that could have an impact on finding inexpensive rates for auto insurance.
The good news is that relatively minor modifications to the exterior of your car do not affect your car insurance rates.
If you are looking for car insurance for your debadged vehicle, you can start comparison shopping for quotes using our free quote comparison tool.
How Debadging Can Affect Your Car Insurance
There are actually some car mods that don’t affect insurance, like debadging. The way that your insurance coverage works is that it covers the value of your car based on the basic information that you send in with your application for car insurance coverage. Debadging doesn’t really affect that.
When you give the insurance agent details about the car that you are seeking to have covered, the insurance company will look at the VIN for that vehicle to confirm the make and model.
The car insurance company will not physically inspect your car unless there is some kind of unique circumstance, such as you seeking car insurance coverage for a modified or classic car.
Can special vehicle features affect car insurance rates?
The way that a change to your car could affect your car insurance policy after you have signed it is that the change has an impact on the performance of your car or its overall value.
For instance, if you add a special feature to your car because you want to enhance its performance as a sports car, you would need to let your insurance agent know about the change because it might not be covered if you have to file a claim. (For more information, read our ” How much does a pacemaker affect car insurance rates?”).
Here are the average rates for car insurance broken down, averaged across the whole country from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Countrywide Car Insurance Rates
| Year | Comprehensive | Collision | Liability | Full Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | $148.04 | $322.61 | $538.73 | $1,009.38 |
| 2014 | $143.45 | $308.32 | $530.01 | $981.77 |
| 2013 | $137.77 | $295.27 | $517.88 | $950.92 |
| 2012 | $133.30 | $287.87 | $503.28 | $924.45 |
| 2011 | $131.80 | $284.60 | $492.03 | $908.43 |
| Average | $138.87 | $299.73 | $516.39 | $954.99 |
This number may change a lot for you, based upon location. This also includes high-risk drivers.
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Reasons Why Cars Are Debadged
One of the major reasons that some drivers choose to debadge their cars is because they have a certain model of a car that they think is more susceptible to theft or vandalism.
In this case, they choose to remove the emblems on their cars to try to keep them off the radar of potential thieves or vandals. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) publishes a Hot Wheels Report about the most stolen vehicles, with the most stolen also being the most common. If you own one of the most frequently stolen cars, you might consider debadging. Debadged cars are usually those that have a more expensive trim.
If you think your car is in an area where it could be stolen or vandalized, you should make sure that you have comprehensive car insurance coverage for your car.
How can comprehensive coverage help you?
Even though comprehensive coverage is a type of coverage that is not mandated by law, it helps car owners to protect their vehicles in the event that something happens to them outside of an accident.
For instance, if you have your car keyed, this is something that comprehensive coverage would cover.
While you may end up paying just a bit more for comprehensive coverage, you definitely want to consider requesting it if you are concerned about maintaining the condition of your car.
Another reason people debadge a car is that they use the car in street races, which is definitely not covered by any major car insurance policy. If you get a quote for comprehensive coverage, be sure to ask what the deductible is. This is the price you pay out of pocket when any damage is sustained by your car and you must file a claim. A lower deductible probably means a higher monthly payment.
Though it’s more common in other countries, some people debadge their car so that people can’t tell what level of trim — that is, how expensive— their car is. You’ll certainly want to keep a high level of coverage on your vehicle, too. If you’re thinking about debadging your car, you probably care about your car. That means you should protect it. Each state has a fairly large portion of uninsured drivers, as you can see below with this information from the Insurance Information Institute.
Uninsured Driver % and Rank by State
| State | % Uninsured Drivers | Uninsured Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 26.70% | 1 |
| Mississippi | 23.70% | 2 |
| New Mexico | 20.80% | 3 |
| Michigan | 20.30% | 4 |
| Tennessee | 20% | 5 |
| Alabama | 18.40% | 6 |
| Washington | 17.40% | 7 |
| Indiana | 16.70% | 8 |
| Arkansas | 16.60% | 9 |
| D.C. | 15.60% | 10 |
| Alaska | 15.40% | 11 |
| California | 15.20% | 12 |
| Rhode Island | 15.20% | 13 |
| New Jersey | 14.90% | 14 |
| Wisconsin | 14.30% | 15 |
| Texas | 14.10% | 16 |
| Missouri | 14% | 17 |
| Illinois | 13.70% | 18 |
| Colorado | 13.30% | 19 |
| Louisiana | 13% | 20 |
| Oregon | 12.70% | 21 |
| Ohio | 12.40% | 22 |
| Maryland | 12.40% | 23 |
| Arizona | 12% | 24 |
| Georgia | 12% | 25 |
| Kentucky | 11.50% | 26 |
| Minnesota | 11.50% | 27 |
| Delaware | 11.40% | 28 |
| Nevada | 10.60% | 29 |
| Hawaii | 10.60% | 30 |
| Oklahoma | 10.50% | 31 |
| West Virginia | 10.10% | 32 |
| Montana | 9.90% | 33 |
| Virginia | 9.90% | 34 |
| New Hampshire | 9.90% | 35 |
| Connecticut | 9.40% | 36 |
| South Carolina | 9.40% | 37 |
| Iowa | 8.70% | 38 |
| Utah | 8.20% | 39 |
| Idaho | 8.20% | 40 |
| Wyoming | 7.80% | 41 |
| South Dakota | 7.70% | 42 |
| Pennsylvania | 7.60% | 43 |
| Kansas | 7.20% | 44 |
| North Dakota | 6.80% | 45 |
| Nebraska | 6.80% | 46 |
| Vermont | 6.80% | 47 |
| North Carolina | 6.50% | 48 |
| Massachusetts | 6.20% | 49 |
| New York | 6.10% | 50 |
| Maine | 4.50% | 51 |
If you live in Florida, more than one in four drivers is going around without coverage.
Case Studies: The Impact of Debadging on Car Insurance Rates
Case Study 1: No Impact on Insurance Rates
John debadged his car for a cleaner look and wondered if it would affect his insurance rates. His provider confirmed that debadging doesn’t directly impact rates since the car’s value and information remain the same.
Case Study 2: Impact on Insurance Rates for Major Modifications
Sarah made extensive modifications to her car, including debadging. Her insurance rates increased by up to 10% due to the overall impact of the modifications on her car’s value and insurability.
Case Study 3: Debadging for Security Purposes
Mark debadged his frequently stolen car to make it less noticeable. While debadging itself didn’t affect his insurance rates, he ensured he had comprehensive coverage for protection against theft.
Still Worried about Debadged Car Insurance?
Let’s talk about debadging and insurance. If you move forward with debadging your car after you have taken out a car insurance policy for it, you will not have to worry about the car insurance company being able to say that your insurance policy is no longer valid. You also don’t have to worry that you would not have coverage for your debadged vehicle.
For other types of more significant modifications to your car, you would want to make sure that they would not invalidate your coverage for the value of your car or replacement parts before you go through with any major modifications.
Modifications complicate insurance coverage because they make it more difficult to value your vehicle as well as harder to find the replacement parts for your car if it is damaged. Use our free quote comparison tool to start shopping around for the best modification insurance today.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to “debadge” a car?
Debadging refers to the removal of manufacturer badges or emblems from a car’s exterior, such as the brand logo, model name, or trim level designation.
Does debadging a car have any impact on car insurance rates?
No, debadging a car typically does not have any direct impact on car insurance rates. Insurance providers primarily assess rates based on factors such as the make, model, age, engine size, safety features, driving history, and location of the vehicle. Debadging does not fall within these factors that affect insurance premiums.
Will removing the badges affect my car’s resale value?
The impact on a car’s resale value due to debadging varies depending on various factors such as the specific vehicle, market demand, and personal preferences of potential buyers. While some buyers may appreciate the clean and sleek look of a debadged car, others may prefer the original badging. It’s advisable to consider market trends and consult with experts or dealerships for a more accurate assessment of how debadging may impact the resale value of your car.
Are there any potential insurance implications if I modify my car beyond debadging?
Yes, modifying your car beyond debadging, such as installing performance enhancements or altering the vehicle’s appearance, may have insurance implications. Insurance companies typically consider modifications that change the vehicle’s performance, aesthetics, or safety features as factors that can affect insurance rates. It’s essential to inform your insurance provider about any modifications to ensure your policy accurately reflects the updated vehicle specifications and to avoid potential coverage issues in the event of a claim.
How should I inform my insurance company about modifications to my car?
If you make modifications to your car beyond debadging, it’s important to promptly inform your insurance company. Contact your insurance provider and provide them with details about the modifications you have made. They will guide you through the necessary steps to update your policy accordingly. Failure to inform your insurer about significant modifications may result in coverage gaps or potential denial of claims.
How do you debadge a car?
There are several ways you can find to debadge your vehicle. Most methods seem to involve a heat gun, fishing line, and Goo Gone.
Can you get a ticket for a debadged car?
Debadging is not illegal, so there should be no reason for you to get pulled over or ticketed for it.
Does debadging a car void the warranty?
Should you debadge your car if you’re under warranty? It shouldn’t matter, as it’s not a modification that’ll really affect much. Debadging your vehicle shouldn’t affect your warranty.
Does debadging a car devalue it?
It’s possible that debadging could slightly devalue your car if you go to re-sell it.
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