Custom Versus Universal Covers

Many customers think that they will save a lot of money by buying a universal or “semi-custom” cover. The makers of these covers claim that their covers fit “any vehicle” within certain size classifications—e.g., small, medium, and large— and often promise great protection and considerable cost savings.

Universal covers are better than nothing at all, but there are many reasons why universal covers are still a bad idea—and Custom Automotive Covers are a much better choice.

Total coverage - If you look at covers for your vehicle as a private security service against the elements, a universal cover is like the proverbial sleeping security guard: Its presence may deter some bad things, but it still allows moisture, dust, dirt, UV radiation, and other elements ample room to get past the defense it is supposedly providing. Universal covers are loose in some places, and tight in others, and never quite cover the total area you need them to cover on your vehicle. Custom Covers leave no part unprotected. That’s crucial no matter where you live or what kind of vehicle you have. UV radiation, moisture, snow, rock salt—all of these things degrade and damage whatever they come into contact with. The more you can reduce your vehicle’s exposure to these and other elements, the longer your vehicle will last. Rust and UV damage only take a moment to set in. But once they do, the damage has only begun. Total coverage, inside and out, is the best way to delay or prevent the damages that can reduce your vehicle’s resale value.

High-quality materials - Custom Covers are made from high-quality materials that are built to last and designed to respond to a unique set of needs. Universal cover makers promise savings, but those savings are upfront only. Universal covers may provide “one-size-fits-all” protection, but if you live in an especially sunny or especially snowy area, you need a cover that responds to your specific needs. The low cost of a universal cover may conceal the added costs you will bear when your vehicle is damaged by more UV, water, or dust and dirt than your universal cover was designed to take. When you get a Custom Automotive Cover, you make an investment in materials that are made to meet your vehicle’s specific needs. Whether it’s very rainy or very sunny, whether you drive an old Ford all year round or store a Bentley in your showroom, a good custom cover can provide the level of protection that is optimal for your needs.

Functional accommodation - The seemingly lower cost of a universal means putting up with some added aggravations. A dashboard cover that get covers up your automatic light sensors. A seat cover that bunches up underneath you, and a floor mat that bunches up under your feet while you drive. A vehicle cover that is tight in some places and loose in others. None of these things help, and some may even be unsafe. Unlike universal covers, Custom Covers protect without getting in the way of normal functions. The headlight sensors on your dashboard, the speakers on your rear deck, the fuel door latch on your floor, and the side-impact airbag on your seat—these are just some of the important functions that a good custom cover is built to accommodate. After all, why should a high-quality fit inhibit your enjoyment of all the benefits your vehicle offers?