I built a high-end Polymer80 pistol and a custom AR-15 from an 80% lower. Total value: $4,000. My house was burglarized, and they were stolen. My insurance adjuster asked for the serial numbers for the police report. I said, “They don’t have any.” He closed the claim file.
Key Takeaways
- “Unidentifiable Property”: Insurance contracts require you to prove ownership and value. Without a serial number, a “Ghost Gun” is effectively unidentifiable property. The adjuster suspects fraud (i.e., you never owned it).
- 2026 Regulations: In 2026, many states require serialization of home builds. If you possess an unserialized gun in a state where it is now illegal, insurance denies the claim (Illegal Acts Exclusion).
- Valuation Difficulty: You cannot look up “Home Build P80” in the Blue Book. You must provide receipts for every part (barrel, trigger, slide, frame) to prove the $2,000 value.
- The “Contraband” Risk: If the insurer believes the items are illegal, they will report it to the ATF/Local Police.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Proof of Loss.”
The burden is on you. If you have a receipt for a “Glock 19,” that proves you own a gun. If you have a receipt for a “block of aluminum” and a “spring kit,” you have to prove you assembled it into a $2,000 rifle and that it existed at the time of theft.
The Investigation (I Talked to Collectibles Insurers)
I asked CollectInsure and Eastern about “Home Builds.”
- Requirement: “We require a schedule of items. For home builds, we need a unique identifier. You should etch a personal serial number or mark on the firearm and photograph it.”
- State Farm: “We generally do not insure unserialized firearms due to valuation and legal liability issues.”
Comparison Table
| Gun Type | Insurability | Proof Required |
| Factory (Serialized) | High | Serial Number / Receipt |
| Home Build (Serialized by you) | Medium | Photos / Part Receipts |
| Home Build (Unmarked) | Low / Zero | Hard to prove existence |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Mark Your Builds: Even if not legally required, engrave a personal number (e.g., “JDOE-001”) on the receiver plate.
- Create a Build Log: Keep a spreadsheet of every part, price, and purchase date.
- [IMAGE: Screenshot of a spreadsheet listing ‘Upper Receiver – $150’, ‘BCG – $200’, etc.]
- Photo Documentation: Take a photo of the completed build next to your face or a piece of mail. Prove it exists as a functional firearm.
- Check Local Laws: If your state banned “Ghost Guns” in 2025, destroy it or serialize it. You cannot insure contraband.
FAQ
Is it illegal to insure a Ghost Gun?
No, as long as the gun itself is legal to possess in your jurisdiction.
Will the insurance company tell the ATF?
They might, if they suspect a crime. They are not your lawyer.