Best Kit Car Insurance in 2024 (Your Guide to the Top 10 Companies)

State Farm, Geico and Progressive emerges as the top pick offering best kit car insurance. Providing tailored policies for kit car enthusiasts. These companies offer peace of mind for those who cherish their unique rides.

What is kit car insurance? Kit car insurance is a specialty form of car insurance to protect a vehicle that you make yourself. Kit cars are a lot like prefabricated houses. The pieces come to you ready to be assembled, and you put them together yourself.

Our Top 10 Company Picks: Best Kit Car Insurance

Aficionados invest a great deal of money and time into kit cars and the act of building them. We’re going to learn about kit auto insurance. Let’s also look at how you should go about getting them insured.

Where can you buy kit car insurance? Get free online car insurance quotes for your kit car now. Enter your ZIP code into the above box.

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#1 – State Farm: Top Overall Pick

Pros

• Personalized Service: Known for exceptional customer service, ensuring personalized attention and support.
• High Multi-Policy Discount: Offers a substantial 17% discount for bundling multiple policies. Check our “State Farm car insurance review” for more information.
• Wide Coverage Options: Offers various coverage options tailored for different business needs, ensuring comprehensive protection.

Cons

• Higher Premiums: Premiums can be higher compared to competitors, even with discounts.
• Limited Availability: Not available in all areas, restricting access for some customers.

#2 – Geico: Best for Cheap Rates

Pros

• Cheap Rates: Known for some of the cheapest rates in the industry. Read our “Geico car insurance review” for more information.
• High Multi-Policy Discount: Offers a 25% discount for bundling multiple policies.
• Strong Financial Rating: A++ rating from A.M. Best, indicating robust financial stability.

Cons

• Limited Personalized Service: Less personalized service compared to some competitors.
• Potential Rate Increases: Rates can increase significantly after the initial term.

#3 – Progressive: Best for Tight Budgets

Pros

• Tight Budgets: Ideal for customers on tight budgets, offering competitive rates. To learn more, read our “Progressive car insurance review“.
• Usage-Based Discounts: Offers discounts for low mileage and safe driving habits.
• Strong Financial Rating: A+ rating from A.M. Best, indicating solid financial health.

Cons

• Lower Multi-Policy Discount: Only offers a 10% discount for bundling multiple policies.
• Customer Service Variability: Customer service quality can vary by region.

#4 – Allstate: Best for Customer Service

Pros

• Excellent Customer Service: Renowned for superior customer service and support.
• High Multi-Policy Discount: Offers a 25% discount for bundling multiple policies. To learn, check our guide “Allstate car insurance review“.
• Strong Financial Rating: A+ rating from A.M. Best, indicating financial stability.

Cons

• Higher Premiums: Generally higher premiums compared to some competitors.
• Complex Claims Process: Some customers report a more complex and time-consuming claims process.

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#5 – USAA: Best for Military Benefits

Pros

• Military Benefits: Exclusive benefits and services tailored for military members and their families. Read our “USAA car insurance review” to learn more.
• High Financial Stability: A++ rating from A.M. Best, indicating strong financial health.
• Excellent Customer Service: Consistently high customer satisfaction ratings.

Cons

• Membership Restrictions: Only available to military members, veterans, and their families.
• Limited Availability: Not available to the general public.

#6 – Nationwide: Best for Widespread Availability

Pros

• Widespread Availability: Available in most states, ensuring widespread access to services.
• High Multi-Policy Discount: Offers a 20% discount for bundling multiple policies. For more information, read our “Nationwide car insurance discounts“.
• Strong Financial Rating: A+ rating from A.M. Best, indicating financial stability.

Cons

• Higher Premiums: Premiums can be higher compared to some competitors.
• Customer Service Variability: Quality of customer service can vary by region.

#7 – Farmers: Best for Customizable Policies

Pros

• Customizable Policies: Offers highly customizable policies to fit individual needs. Gain further insights by reading our “Farmers car insurance review“.
• Strong Financial Rating: A rating from A.M. Best, indicating good financial health.
• Comprehensive Coverage Options: Wide range of coverage options to choose from.

Cons

• Lower Multi-Policy Discount: Only offers a 10% discount for bundling multiple policies.
• Higher Premiums: Premiums can be higher compared to some competitors.

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#8 – Liberty Mutual: Best for Policy Customization

Pros

• Policy Customization: Offers highly customizable coverage options.
• Strong Financial Rating: A rating from A.M. Best, indicating good financial health. Read our “Liberty Mutual car insurance review” to gain further information.
• Accident Forgiveness: Offers accident forgiveness to prevent premium increases after an accident.

Cons

• Lower Multi-Policy Discount: Only offers a 10% discount for bundling multiple policies.
• Potentially Higher Premiums: Premiums can be higher compared to some competitors.

#9 – American Family: Best for Discount Availability

Pros

• Discount Availabality: Offers numerous discounts, making policies more affordable. For more information, check our “American Family car insurance review“.
• Strong Financial Rating: A+ rating from A.M. Best, indicating financial stability.
• Personalized Service: Known for excellent customer service and personalized attention.

Cons

• Higher Premiums: Premiums can be higher compared to some competitors.
• Limited Availability: Not available in all states, restricting access for some customers.

#10 – Travelers: Best for Bundling Policies

Pros

• Bundling Policies: Offers significant discounts for bundling multiple insurance policies. To gain further insights, read our “Travelers car insurance review“.
• High Financial Stability: A++ rating from A.M. Best, indicating strong financial health.
• Wide Coverage Options: Provides various coverage options tailored to different needs.

Cons

• Lower Multi-Policy Discount: Only offers an 8% discount for bundling multiple policies.
• Higher Premiums: Premiums can be higher compared to some competitors.

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Determining the Necessary Car Insurance Coverage for Your Kit Car

One feature of a kit car is that they are usually very lightweight. One reason for this is that it enhances the driving experience by allowing for higher rates of speed and greater acceleration.

Lightweight cars are at a higher risk of getting into a catastrophic accident, though. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) measures how safe different vehicles are, and they’ve found that heavier and larger vehicles are safer. It’s pretty self-explanatory, as larger vehicles just have more car between you and the crash momentum.

Kit Car Insurance Monthly Rates by Coverage Level & Provider

Kit cars are generally light and often small to midsized, so that can mean higher premiums. There’s no other way to measure how safe kit cars are, as they’re so unique and varied by nature.

Do kit cars have expensive insurance? With this form of auto insurance, your rates are likely to be closer to a classic car than typical auto insurance. Does Geico insure classic cars? You can certainly get a Geico kit car insurance policy, and places like Progressive or Geico offer classic car insurance. Here are some rates for each state for full coverage, broken down into its respective parts.

Classic Car Insurance Monthly Rates by State

It really does matter where you live, as you could easily be paying double the amount in Louisiana as in Idaho, for example.

You definitely want to be careful with how much your car is insured for.

How do you insure a modified car? It’s important to get an insurance policy that’s for the agreed-upon value of your car, rather than what an insurer may get from a similar Kelley Blue Book car value. This video from Heacock Classic Insurance breaks down why it’s so critical to get your modified vehicle insured for the right amount.

You don’t want to end up in an accident where your insurer will only cover a small fraction of what your kit car is worth.

Why do you even need coverage though, if you’re not using the car much? If it’s a showpiece, you might just take it out on special occasions or to a car show. The truth is that even parked and stored cars should be covered, even if it’s only comprehensive stored car insurance while not in use.

If you’re planning to drive your kit car at all, you’ll need to comply with state laws for car insurance. Each state has its own requirements for how much liability coverage you need. See below and search for your state’s requirements compiled by the Insurance Information Institute (III). For more information, read our “Do I need liability car insurance for a stored car?“.

Minimum Car Insurance Requirements by State & Limits

In addition to liability, you’re likely going to want collision and comprehensive. See the video below for a quick explanation of the types of insurance, but we’ll look at why you should get full coverage right below.

You have a unique vehicle. Unless you have a lot of money in your bank account to cover damages, you want to get full coverage. If you cause a wreck, you can submit a collision claim to cover your own damages.

Comprehensive coverage might actually be most important for a kit car.

Many kit cars are collector’s items and aren’t driven daily. Comprehensive coverage protects against incidents like falling objects, theft, scratches, and uninsured motorists, who make up about 13% of drivers nationwide, with some states exceeding 20%.

If you put that much time and money into your kit car, you don’t want to leave it uninsured and yourself financially vulnerable.

Another characteristic of the design of the kit car is the fact that they are usually equipped with engines larger than the one would normally put in a smaller car.

By doing this, you increase the ratio of power to size and get a faster and more powerful car. With these features and benefits, however, comes a downside as well.

The Downside of Car Insurance for a Kit Car

Smaller cars that are lightweight with large engines are a known target for car thieves according to the car insurance companies because the large engines are more powerful and can be removed and be put into larger vehicles. Thieves will find a great deal of joyriding from the theft.

Unlike traditional insurance policies, another pitfall of kit cars that can actually affect the cost of their insurance policies is the utter lack of safety features and some of the vehicles including high-impact crumple zones, air bags, and antilock brakes.

If you own a kit car and your regular insurance company has turned its back on you or made your premiums so high that you can no longer afford it, read on to get some invaluable tips that will help you get custom-built car insurance. To learn more, read our “What is a car insurance premium?“.

Understanding Kit Cars

A kit or garage-built car is one that you’ve built yourself. They’re usually really cool rides, the result of hours upon hours of effort and often a lot of money. And, while we might consider Knight Rider’s KITT to be a kit car (even the replicas), that’s definitely not the only option out there.

A lot of kit cars are partial imports, with pieces from vehicles across the pond. The International Trade Administration reports that about 50,000 used vehicles are imported each year, meaning many people are searching for import car insurance.

Used Vehicles Imported to the U.S. from Around the World

Some kit cars are imported and must meet EPA emissions standards, usually being over 25 years old. After importing or assembling, you’ll have a head-turning vehicle. Read our “Best car insurance for drivers under 25” to learn more.

The need to insure a kit car is unique. Purchasing specialty parts from vintage and classic automobiles and then assembling them after restoring them in their original form is a truly rewarding practice. Making a tribute car can be a meticulous and fun process that pays off at the next car show.

What is a tribute car? In case you didn’t already know, it’s just that — a tribute or recreation of an already existing vehicle. You should investigate the insurance needs of any vehicle before purchasing it.

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Helpful Tips for Getting Car Insurance for Your Kit Car

Below are a few tips to help with getting kit auto insurance:

• Contact Your Insurance Company First: Call your regular insurance company to see if you’re getting the best rate that you possibly can. There’s a chance that you might get a reduction based on your past or an exemplary driving record. No claims bonus discounts are available for the most reliable drivers.
• Compare Quotes Online:  Once you’ve contacted your insurance agent, search online for modified car insurance, also known as restomod insurance, depending on the type of car you have. You may be surprised at the number of different insurance companies from which to choose. Look for online muscle car insurance quotes to compare several companies’ rates at once.
• Investigate In-Person:  Contact companies found while researching and ask about further discounts from each, remembering to perform due diligence with each one. Before you decide, make sure to get recommendations from friends and people that you know and only focus on sites that you trust.
• Pay Attention To Detail:  Read the fine print. Don’t forget to check all the different conditions and terms and restrictions before making a final decision.
• Look for Extra Features: Don’t forget to practice savviness. A regular insurance company’s only interest in the numbers. However, an insurance company that specializes in special vehicles can appreciate the way you feel about your car. Often this is reflected in the premium that they offer you. Shop around, get the best price, and get ready to enjoy your vehicle.

Once you actually have your insurance, there are several things you can do to keep your premiums low. Here are a few of them:

• Purchase some kind of an immobilizer to protect against theft. This will deter would-be thieves.
• As difficult as it may be, purchase the smallest engine you can possibly stand to fit into the frame of your vehicle. By doing this, you make your car less attractive for theft.
• Be completely honest about the specs of your vehicle when working with your insurance company to get a car insurance quote. This will help to prevent issues in the future if you have to make a claim later on.

Kit cars can be a fun and exciting hobby. However, insurance for kit cars isn’t the same as regular car insurance, and therefore should not be treated as such.

There are several things that you can do before and after you buy kit car insurance:

• Shop around for a reputable company
• Buy the smallest engine that you can live with
• Buy some type of a mobilizing object to prevent theft
• Be honest with your insurance company as to all the specs of your kit vehicle.
• Ask about optional coverages and any what the additional premium might be
• Understand the policy and description of coverage for your kit car

By following these simple tips, your hobby will continue to be an enjoyable and rewarding one.

Read more: Anti-Theft Car Insurance Discounts

Temporary Car Insurance for Your Kit Car

If your kit car sits in your garage 99 percent of the time, you may want to think about short-term car insurance: try weekly or even 24-hour car insurance. You can also get month to month car insurance in some places or daily car insurance. However, some of these companies are not very reputable, so it’s best to use caution.

Case Studies: Kit Car Insurance

Choosing the right car insurance company can make a significant difference in the aftermath of an accident or unexpected damage to your vehicle. This series of case studies highlights the experiences of real customers with State Farm, Geico, and Progressive, showcasing how these companies cater to their clients’ unique needs and circumstances.

• Case Study#1 – State Farm’s Personalized Service: Mrs. Anderson, a long-time State Farm customer, was in a minor accident. Her agent, Mr. Thompson, provided personalized assistance, arranging a rental car and overseeing repairs. Mrs. Anderson valued the tailored support, which minimized disruption.
• Case Study #2 – Geico’s Cheap Rates: Mr. Patel, a new driver, chose Geico for its competitive rates. When his car was damaged, Geico’s quick claim processing and repair assistance exceeded his expectations. Mr. Patel appreciated the savings and reliable service.
• Case Study #3 – Progressive’s Tight Budget: Ms. Ramirez, a single mother on a tight budget, selected Progressive for its affordability. After hail damage to her car, Progressive’s simple claims process and help finding a budget-friendly repair shop were invaluable. Ms. Ramirez praised Progressive car insurance review for understanding her financial needs.

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Driving Your Kit Car From The Purchase Location To Your Home

If you have no intention of driving your car for a while since you just bought it and want to work on it in your garage for a while, you may be able to just get driveway car insurance, which covers the vehicle only on the drive home. For more information, read our “Does having a garage lower the cost of car insurance?“.

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