Modified Car Insurance for Hot Rods, Street Rods and Kit Cars

By Jon Merwin, Founder and CEO

A ’32 Ford highboy built in a two-car garage, a ’69 Camaro with modern fuel injection and a six-speed, a Cobra replica assembled from a kit, a resto-mod pickup with a new chassis under an old body: these cars are collectible because of the work that went into them. That same work makes them harder to insure on a standard auto policy, which values a car by its year, make and model and has no way to account for thousands of hours of fabrication. This guide explains how insurance for modified collector cars works. For collector coverage in general, see our classic and collector car insurance guide.

What insurers mean by a modified car

Most collector programs split cars into two groups: antique and classic cars kept original or restored to original, and modified cars that have been changed from original condition. If a car’s body has been altered or its engine changed for more performance, it usually belongs in the modified group. Our guide to antique vs. classic car insurance explains where the line usually falls.

Types of modified cars we help insure

Hot rods and street rods

Traditional hot rods and street rods, usually pre-war or early post-war cars with modern running gear. Maine even issues separate Street Rod hobbyist plates.

Resto-mods and pro-touring builds

Classic bodies with modern engines, brakes, suspension and electronics. Connecticut law specifically recognizes a “modified antique motor vehicle” modified for safe road use.

Kit cars and replicas

Component cars and replicas of famous designs, insured based on the build rather than a donor car’s value.

Customs, lowriders and rare or exotic builds

One-off customs, coachbuilt and rare vehicles, and heavily personalized cars that don’t fit any price guide.

Agreed value for a modified car

Agreed value matters even more for a modified car than for an original one. There’s no reliable price guide for a one-off build, so an actual-cash-value settlement could leave you far short. With agreed value, you and the insurer settle on the car’s value when the policy is written, and a covered total loss pays that amount, minus any deductible.

Insurers look at what similar builds sell for, not just what you spent. A build can cost more than its market value, so expect a conversation about where the number should land, and update it as the car changes. Our agreed value guide explains how.

What to document before you request a quote

Modified cars usually need more paperwork than original cars. Gather:

• Photos: front and rear three-quarter views, the engine bay and the interior
• A build sheet: engine, transmission, rear end, suspension, brakes, wheels and tires, body and paint, and interior
• Receipts and invoices: parts, machine work, paint and body, upholstery and professional labor
• An appraisal for high-value or unusual builds
• Title and registration, especially for kit cars and replicas, which may be titled differently by state

Common conditions on modified car policies

• Hobby use only: shows, cruise nights, club events, parades and occasional pleasure drives.
• No racing: track days, drag racing, timed events and racing are commonly excluded, and some insurers won’t write cars set up for racing.
• Locked, enclosed storage when the car isn’t in use.
• A separate daily driver for each listed driver.
• Driver review for everyone who will drive the car.

Registration rules for modified cars

Registration rules for modified cars vary by state. Connecticut has a legal category for modified antique motor vehicles, and Maine issues separate Street Rod and Custom Vehicle plates. Registration and insurance are separate decisions: a plate doesn’t decide eligibility, and we’ll confirm eligibility for your vehicle. See collector car insurance in Connecticut and collector car insurance in Maine for state details.

Builds in progress and spare parts

A car on jack stands with the engine out is a different risk from a finished car. Some insurers can cover a car under construction, often with limited coverage and a value that increases as work is completed. Spare and stored parts can also be covered in some cases, but limits vary. Tell us where your build stands, and call us when it’s ready for the road so the policy can change with it. See restoration and project car insurance.

Why work with us on a modified car

For modified cars, we shop coverage with collector car carriers including Hagerty, J.C. Taylor, Liberty Mutual, Cincinnati and American Modern, and we match your build to the program that fits it. As a family-owned independent agency founded in 2005, licensed in 10 states and working with 40+ carriers, we can compare more than one option and coordinate the build with your daily-driver auto policy, home insurance for the shop or garage, and an umbrella. We don’t charge any fees, and we are New Hampshire’s highest-rated agency on Google, with 1,000+ Google reviews and over 2,000 testimonials.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get collector car insurance on a modified car?

Often, yes. Many collector programs have a separate track for modified cars, including hot rods, street rods, resto-mods, customs, replicas and kit cars. Expect more documentation than for an original car, and expect the same hobby-use, storage and daily-driver conditions. We’ll confirm eligibility for your vehicle.

How do you decide what my hot rod or kit car is worth?

Modified cars don’t have reliable price guides, so the agreed value is built from your documentation: build receipts, parts invoices, labor records, photos of the build and the finished car, and an appraisal for high-value builds. The policy pays that agreed amount for a covered total loss, minus any deductible.

Is a modified car covered at the track or drag strip?

Usually not. Racing, timed events and track days are commonly excluded from collector policies, especially for modified cars. If you plan any track or timed use, talk to us first so you know where coverage stops.

Can I insure a car that’s still being built?

Some insurers can cover a car under construction, often with limited coverage and a value that’s updated as the work progresses. Coverage for a project car in your garage works differently from coverage for a finished, road-ready car, so tell us where the build stands.

Do registration rules for modified cars differ by state?

Yes. Connecticut has a legal category for modified antique motor vehicles, and Maine issues separate Street Rod and Custom Vehicle plates, for example. Registration and insurance are separate decisions, and every car is reviewed on its own, so we’ll confirm eligibility for your vehicle.

Should I tell my insurer about every modification?

Yes. Undisclosed modifications are a common cause of claim disputes. List engine, drivetrain, suspension, brake, body, wheel and interior changes, and keep receipts and photos. An accurate description makes it more likely the car is valued and repaired the way you expect.

What our clients say

From our client surveys. Comments are lightly edited for typos only.

“

Jon is super helpful and amazingly communicative. He responds fast with well thought out answers making the process of getting insurance for my home and car super simple.

“

Very informative, responsive, and helpful with answering any questions we had. Helped us get the best deal and coverage, explained the differences between coverage options, and let us choose what worked best for us. Highly recommend!

“

Excellent guidance on insurance options and fantastic quoting and onboarding experience. We trust their recommendations and feel that we have best coverage for peace of mind at best possible cost.

Read more client testimonials

Sources

• Connecticut General Statutes Chapter 246 (Sec. 14-1, modified antique motor vehicle)
• Maine Revised Statutes Title 29-A, Sec. 457, hobbyist registration plates
• Insurance Information Institute: Insuring your classic car