Car Body Kit and Insurance: What You Need to Know

Add a flashy body kit to your car, and your ride stands out—no doubt about it. But here's something that catches a lot of people by surprise: insurance usually cares about those upgrades too. Whether it’s a spoiler, side skirts, or a whole new front end, most insurers see these as more than just cosmetic tweaks. They lump body kit mods into the same bucket as any car modification, which can mess with your coverage and even your rates.

If you’re thinking, "It’s my car, why should insurance care?"—well, body kits change how your car is valued and sometimes even how it's driven. Some companies raise your premium just for the extra risk or repair costs if you get in a fender bender. Worse, skipping out on telling your insurer can lead them to deny a claim, even on something unrelated to the kit itself.

Before you shop for that kit or book a weekend in your buddy’s garage, dig into your policy and check your insurer's rules. Even if the body kit just makes your car look cooler and nothing else, it's way better to keep things honest and above board. Trust me, there are some simple ways to keep your rides' style and your wallet both intact—which is what we'll cover right here.

• How Insurers See Car Body Kits
• Do Body Kits Raise Premiums?
• The Right Way to Tell Your Insurer
• Tips for Keeping Insurance Hassle-Free

How Insurers See Car Body Kits

Insurers don't just shrug off a car body kit as a simple style tweak. When you bolt on new bumpers or side skirts, they treat that as a full-blown modification. Why? Because these upgrades can bump up the cost to repair or replace your car, and sometimes, they even change how a car behaves in a crash.

Most major insurance companies in the US and UK actually have specific questions on their application forms about cosmetic changes, including car body kits. Some even ask for photos or proof that the kit was installed by a professional. They're not nitpicking—body kits can mess with aerodynamics, sometimes make cars more tempting to thieves, and almost always raise the bill if you end up at the shop for repairs.

Take a look at common insurer reactions:

• Some companies bump up your premiums on any modified car, body kit or not.
• Others flat-out refuse to cover cars with certain types of body kits or modifications.
• And a few might be okay—if you tell them beforehand and pay a little extra.

Here’s a quick look at how typical insurers respond when you declare a car body kit:

If a kit makes your car faster, lower, or easier to steal, expect tougher questions. The bottom line: a car body kit always gets attention from insurers. If your policy doesn’t mention it, don’t assume you’re in the clear. Sometimes even just a flashy bumper counts as a modification, so always check your insurer's actual rules before making changes. It’s the difference between easy coverage and a giant headache if you ever need to file a claim.

Do Body Kits Raise Premiums?

Adding a car body kit isn’t just about style—insurance companies might see your car differently, too. Most insurers treat vehicle customization as a risk factor, which often means higher premiums. Why? First, body kits can make your car more expensive to fix. A busted factory bumper is straightforward, but a custom fiberglass kit? That’s pricey and not always in stock.

Some companies believe cars with mods get more attention from thieves. A flashy ride potentially means a bigger target, and that goes right into their risk calculations. Insurers also might suspect you’ll drive more aggressively. Even if that’s not true, they base rates on stats and risk models—not gut feelings. For example, UK insurer Adrian Flux reports that adding exterior mods, including body kits, can push premiums up by 10% to 15% on average. U.S. insurers are less uniform, but big names like GEICO and State Farm all ask about any significant mod such as a body kit during the quote process.

Here’s where it gets real: if you don’t tell your insurer about the car body kit, and they spot it after an accident, there’s a strong chance they’ll deny your claim. Some folks think they’ll get away with it, but claims adjusters catch these things fast, especially when body mods are obvious.

It all comes down to how each insurance provider assesses risk and the cost to replace or repair those mods. It’s not a one-size-fits-all deal: some brokers specialize in modded or modified cars and may offer better premiums if you’re upfront from the start.

If you want to know the exact jump in your rate, contact your provider before you add the kit. Get a quote and ask specific questions. That’s better than a surprise hit to your wallet—or worse, no coverage at all because you played it risky.

The Right Way to Tell Your Insurer

Telling your insurer about a car body kit is less painful than some drivers think. Most companies actually expect you to mention any upgrade—yes, even if it’s just a new bumper or flashy side skirts. The big reason? Leaving out details about modifications can get your future claims denied. Want to avoid a nasty surprise? Just stay honest from the start.

Here’s how you should handle it if you’re adding a body kit:

• Check your policy guidelines. Some insurance companies list out exactly what counts as a modification, including vehicle customization like body kits, underbody lights, decals, and wheels. Look for the section about "modifications" or "custom parts."
• Have all the details ready. When you call, be specific. Know the make, model, material, and cost of the kit. Some companies want receipts or installation photos, so keep good records.
• Call before you install. Some folks try to sneak in mods, but that’s risky. Get the green light from your insurer first so you know if there will be any changes to your insurance or premiums. If they have a "declared value" option for modified cars, ask about it.
• Get confirmation in writing. When you tell them about the body kit, ask for email confirmation or a note on your policy. Verbal agreements can be forgotten—paperwork helps.

Just so you get a sense of how big a deal this is, insurers often audit claims that involve customized cars. In fact, a 2023 survey by Confused.com found that 40% of owners with car body kit upgrades didn’t bother to tell their insurers—and 1 in 10 faced rejected claims when they needed help the most. Definitely not worth the risk.

The upside? Many companies won’t hike your premium much for cosmetic changes, especially if they’re professionally installed and don’t boost performance. But they need the info to price it right and make sure your coverage still works. So, make that call. It’s less hassle than paying for accident repairs out of pocket.

Tips for Keeping Insurance Hassle-Free

If you’re getting a car body kit, you don’t want insurance drama down the line. Avoiding headaches starts with some basic moves that pretty much every experienced car mod fan recommends. Here’s what works:

• Tell Your Insurer Before You Install: Don’t wait until after your next renewal. Let your insurance company know about your plans for a car body kit up front. They’ll tell you how it affects your coverage, or if they’re cool with it.
• Get Written Confirmation: If you do get the green light, don’t settle for just a phone call. Ask for an email or confirmation letter describing your new premium and coverage with the body kit. That way, there’s a paper trail if you ever have to file a claim.
• Keep Receipts and Photos: Insurance adjusters might ask what kind of kit you added, how much it cost, and what condition it’s in. Receipts and photos make your life way easier—and help you get paid back fairly if something happens.
• Shop Around: Not all insurers treat modified cars the same. Some companies specialize in covering rides with body kits and other mods. Compare rates and ask clear questions so you know what you’re buying.

Here’s a quick look at how different insurance companies can react when you add a body kit:

One more tip—if your kit changes the car’s ground clearance or safety gear (like sensors and airbags), double check that everything works as intended. That way, you stay legal and safe, and your insurance won’t have an excuse to turn down a claim.