Why Choose Peter Best Insurance Specialist Kit Car Insurance
Established in 1985, as a specialist insurance broker providing insurance for classic cars, we have a passion for everything motorised! Our experienced UK-based sales team take great pride in delivering customer satisfaction and that’s the reason why we have become one of the most trusted names providing specialist motor insurance in the UK.
With access to the UK’s leading non-standard insurance underwriters, we will do our utmost to provide you with the best possible insurance policy to cover you and your kit car.
Call us now on 01376 574000 or submit your details online and we will call you.
Kit Car Insurance from Peter Best Insurance
Kit cars come in many guises, predominantly sold by manufacturers as a set of parts which are then ‘married up’ with engines and transmission systems from ‘donor’ vehicles. As the name suggests, these are commonly known as ‘Component’ Cars. Kit cars also come in the form of ‘re-body’ cars, meaning the chassis of a standard vehicle has been used and a body kit added.
As you might expect, many kit and replica cars are totally unique which is why choosing the right kit car insurance policy is so important.
Peter Best works closely with the leading UK underwriting companies specialising in non-standard motor insurance. With a choice of over 100 insurance schemes, we tailor your policy for you and your kit car.
Popular kit cars that we cover include Dutton, Tiger, Westfield, Robin Hood, Caterham, Gardener Douglass, Fisher, Marlin, GTM and DNA kit cars. Typical replica cars include Ferrari, AC Cobra, Lamborghini and Porsche.
Requirements for Insuring Kit Cars
Before you can insure your kit car you will need to complete a vehicle inspection report (V627/1), have the vehicle examined by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency and obtain Individual Vehicle Approval.
More information on this can be found at https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/kitbuilt-vehicles.
Your kit car will also need to be registered with the DVLA, so you will need to complete a V55/4 form and apply for a number plate.
When building your kit car it is imperative to photograph and document all stages of the build process so that you can provide proof of transmission, engine and all body details. This will also help when completing the legally required documents.
Peter Best Insurance only provides kit car insurance for vehicles registered and kept in the UK.
If you are a member of the Westfield Sports Car Club www.wscc.co.uk ,the Lotus Seven Club www.lotus7.club or any other bona fide UK car club you will receive a club member discount on your policy.
Other insurance benefits may include:
Free legal cover – this covers your legal expenses for any legal action you may take as the result of an accident.
Free agreed value – subject to receiving photographs and documentation we will agree the correct value of your kit car so you receive the true value in the event of a total loss claim (less any excess).
Limited mileage discounts – we understand that the lower your mileage, the lower the risk of you being involved in an accident and so adjust the premium you pay to reflect this.
Laid up cover – whilst building or restoring your kit car we can cover the value of the vehicle and its parts (as long as it is garaged at your home address). This includes accidental damage.
Salvage retention – if, in the event of a total loss on your kit car (provided the car can be repaired under legal guidelines), we will permit you to keep the vehicle as part of the claim settlement. Most insurers will settle claims less any excess and the salvage value of the vehicle.
Multi-vehicle discounts – we appreciate that many drivers not only own a kit car but also other ‘daily drivers’ or collectable vehicles. This is why we offer discounts on our multi-vehicle policies. Subject to meeting insurers’ criteria you may well benefit from a lower premium having all your vehicles on one policy with one renewal date.
Foreign use – our kit car policies include 90 days EU cover, allowing you to enjoy driving your kit car throughout Europe.
Optional covers may also include protected no claim bonus and provision for breakdown and recovery.
Peter Best Kit Car Insurance FAQs
Kit car insurance typically covers third party liability and may also include protection for fire, theft and accidental damage depending on the level of cover selected. Because kit cars are built or assembled outside standard manufacturer specifications, policies are structured to reflect their unique construction.
Peter Best Insurance Services can arrange cover that takes into account build quality, specification and how the vehicle is used.
A kit car is generally a vehicle that has been built from parts rather than supplied as a complete factory-built model. This may include self-build kits, professionally assembled vehicles or heavily customised builds. Insurers assess factors such as the build source, components used and registration status before confirming cover.
Self-built kit cars can usually be insured once they are correctly registered and meet road safety requirements. Insurers may ask for build documentation, photographs or an inspection report to understand how the vehicle has been constructed. Peter Best Insurance Services can help present this information clearly to insurers when arranging cover.
The value of a kit car is often based on the cost of parts, build quality, specification and overall condition rather than a standard market value. Because of this, some policies may offer agreed value cover.
This allows the owner and insurer to set a value in advance. Peter Best Insurance Services can help arrange agreed value policies where appropriate.
Kit car insurance can vary in cost depending on the complexity of the build, engine specification and how the vehicle is used. While some builds may present higher risk, limited mileage and careful ownership can help offset this.
Each policy is assessed individually rather than relying on standard vehicle groupings.
Some kit car policies allow regular use, but many are designed for limited mileage or occasional driving. Insurers will assess how the vehicle is used and may apply restrictions to reflect this.
It is important that the declared usage matches how the car will actually be driven to ensure cover remains valid.
Breakdown cover is not always included as standard and may be added depending on the policy. Given the bespoke nature of many kit cars, having recovery in place can be particularly useful if issues arise during use.
Peter Best Insurance Services can arrange breakdown cover alongside a kit car policy where needed.
All aspects of a kit car’s build should be declared, including engine type, chassis, suspension and any performance or cosmetic features.
Because the vehicle is non-standard by design, full disclosure is essential for insurers to assess the risk correctly. Incomplete information could affect the validity of cover.
Secure storage is often an important factor in kit car insurance, as many builds are high value or unique. Keeping the vehicle in a locked garage or secure location can reduce the risk of theft or damage.
Insurers will usually take storage arrangements into account when assessing both eligibility and premium.
Kit car insurance is suited to enthusiasts who have built or own a non-standard vehicle and want cover that reflects its individual specification. These policies are designed to recognise the effort and value involved in the build.
Peter Best Insurance Services can arrange specialist cover for kit cars where standard policies may not be suitable.
Parts-only insurance is a specialist type of kit car insurance that covers the cost of replacing damaged parts following an insured event, but does not include the cost of labour required to repair or rebuild the vehicle.
This type of cover can be particularly attractive to kit car owners who carry out their own repairs, maintenance, or restoration work. As labour costs are excluded, premiums may be lower than those for policies that cover both parts and repair labour.
Peter Best Insurance can arrange specialist kit car insurance with a range of cover options, helping owners choose a policy that reflects how their vehicle is built, maintained, and used.
