Legalities and Insurance Coverage
Tinted windows won’t increase or decrease your insurance cover, provided you ensure that they are legal. Legally, at least 75% of light must be allowed through the front windscreen and 70% of light through the front side windows. Tinted windows do affect visibility at night which is why states have laws against certain levels of tint on certain vehicle types.
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. 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.
Impact on Car Insurance Rates
Now that we understand the classification of window tint tickets let’s explore their impact on car insurance rates. While window tint tickets may not directly lead to an increase in insurance premiums, they can indirectly affect your rates in some cases. Non-Moving Violation: As mentioned earlier, window tint tickets are often considered non-moving violations. Insurance companies tend to focus more on moving violations when assessing risk factors and determining premiums.
Considerations for Tinted Windows
Tinted windows will reduce the heat in your car and protect the interior from fading faster than without tinting. If you’re smart, tinted windows can definitely help increase the value of your vehicle if you are looking to replace or model up. Even small changes, such as adding a tint to the windows, could affect insurance. If you do add a tint to your windows, make sure you don’t make them too dark, as they could then become illegal.
Window Tint Tickets in Different States
Virginia (VA)
How much is a tint ticket in VA?
Georgia (GA)
How much is a window tint ticket in GA? You’re looking at a fine up to $1000 for illegal tint percentage or overly dark tints. It’s extremely unlikely you receive maximum penalties. Generally it’s around $25 for the first offense.
Legal Tint Percentages in Georgia
In Georgia, legal tint is 32% darkness on front side windows and back windows. Tint not allowed on windshield without a medical exemption. 20% tint is difficult to see through from outside. 5% tint blocks view entirely.
Enforcement and Penalties
Individuals with illegal tints can be fined up to $100. Excessively dark tints lead to $1000 fines. Ticket costs range from $25 to $100 depending on violation severity and county. Court may order tint removal and approved window tinting class attendance.
General Guidelines and Recommendations
It’s extremely unlikely you’ll get maximum jail time or fines for illegal tint. Expect around $25 for the first offense. Subsequent offenses lead to increasing penalties. SUVs and vans follow the same rules on legal tint percentages. On windows beside the driver and back windows, 32% tint darkness allowed. Tint not permitted on the windshield without a medical exemption.
Compliance and Maintenance
To prove legal tint, place a sticker on the windshield. Avoid colors like amber and crimson. Follow the state’s exact rules by hiring an expert installer familiar with them. The car make and model determine the maximum darknesses allowed. Usually, a colored film is placed on the windshield and windows. Newer vehicles have treated safety glass. Contact the DMV to ask about medical exemptions for darker tint. Removing illegal tint stops repeat offenses and increasing fines. Contact the DMV to learn where to get tint inspected.