You built a tube-chassis rock bouncer in your garage. It has an LS3 engine, 1-ton axles, and $80,000 in parts. It has no VIN. It is not street legal. How do you insure a pile of parts that became a vehicle?
Key Takeaways
- Standard Auto won’t touch it: Without a VIN, Progressive/Geico cannot write a standard policy.
- “Assembled Vehicle” Title: You must get a state-issued VIN (State Police inspection) to get a real insurance policy.
- Agreed Value is Mandatory: Do not rely on “Blue Book” (it doesn’t exist). You need an Agreed Value policy where you verify the $80k worth.
- Hagerty / Specialty: You need a carrier that specializes in “Off-Road” or “Collector” vehicles.
The “Why” (The Trap): Identity Crisis
Insurers need a VIN to track claims and theft. A home-built buggy is a ghost. If it gets stolen, how do they put it in the database?
Also, without a manufacturer (Polaris/Jeep), there are no safety standards. It is a high-liability risk.
The Investigation: The Path to Coverage
Step 1: The VIN
You cannot skip this. Go to your DMV. Apply for a “Specially Constructed Vehicle” or “Assembled Vehicle” title. You will need receipts for the engine, transmission, and frame tubing to prove you didn’t steal the parts. The State Police will rivet a VIN plate to your chassis.
Step 2: The Appraisal
Once it has a VIN, you need an appraisal. Build a spreadsheet of every part.
- Engine: $10,000
- Axles: $15,000
- Shocks: $6,000
- Total: $80,000.
Step 3: The Policy
Call Hagerty or a specialized broker like K&K Insurance.
- Program: “Off-Road Vehicle” or “Motorsports Liability.”
- Coverage: Fire, Theft, Trailer Transport. (Collision while rock crawling is very hard to get; usually you are insuring it for theft/fire only).
Comparison Table: Buggy Coverage Levels
| Policy Type | Fire/Theft (Storage) | Transport (Trailer) | Liability (Off-Road) | Collision (Crawling) |
| Homeowners | No | No | No | No |
| Specialty (Fire/Theft) | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Full Off-Road Policy | Yes | Yes | Yes | Rare/Expensive |
[IMAGE: Photo of a custom tube buggy on a trailer]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Keep Every Receipt: If you can’t prove you bought the Atlas Transfer Case, they won’t pay for it.
- Get the State VIN: Do the paperwork. It adds value to the buggy anyway.
- Insure for “Paddock/Storage”: At a minimum, get coverage for when it is sitting in the garage or on the trailer. That is where 90% of losses (fire/theft) happen.
- Join a Club: Some 4×4 associations offer group insurance benefits for liability on club rides.
FAQ
Can I insure it as a “Jeep” if I used a Jeep grill?
That is fraud. If the frame is custom, it is not a Jeep. If you claim it’s a 1995 Wrangler and they see a tube chassis, claim denied.