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Import car insurance provides similar levels of coverage to standard car insurance. However, it is specialised to protect the higher risks that come with insuring imported cars. Vehicles that have been manufactured outside the UK and are imported for personal use can be protected under these policies.
Imported cars come with different risks than standard UK vehicles. These will impact the type of insurance you’ll need, and how much it costs to insure an imported car. These risks include:
In the event that your imported car needs repairs, your insurer will likely need to import parts too. These can be harder to source and come with high delivery costs, especially if they are travelling from as far as Japan or the USA.
Imported vehicles can have unique features or modifications that aren’t standard in UK cars. These often impact the car’s performance, safety, or compatibility with UK roads. And these all need to be considered by insurers.
Some imports, especially cars manufactured outside of Europe, might only meet UK safety or emissions standards if modified. Like with any modifications, these changes will affect insurance requirements.
Many imported cars are high-performance or luxury vehicles, making them more desirable to thieves.
Specialist mechanics might need to be sourced to make repairs to imported cars. This also raises repair costs which will be reflected in more expensive insurance costs.
There are a few key differences between standard UK car insurance and import car insurance. It’s important to keep these in mind when comparing imported car insurance as they affect how you apply and what you might pay.
| Standard car insurance | Import car insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle assessment | With cars that are manufactured within UK standards, insurers can more easily evaluate their value, safety, and repair costs. | Insurers evaluate imported cars individually, considering their origin, specific modifications, and compliance with UK regulations. |
| Cost of repairs | Parts can be cheaper and more easily sourced and installed. | Parts could be more difficult and expensive to source or need specialist knowledge to install. |
| Policy pricing | Generally speaking, these cars have lower values and risk profiles than imported cars. And this is reflected in premium costs. | Higher values, more modifications, and associated risks can mean higher insurance costs. |
| Coverage options | Standard coverage options will usually offer sufficient cover to legally drive on UK roads. | Might need additional coverage or add-ons that protect the car’s increased risk. |
| Import car insurance providers | With more insurers to choose from, you could get a more competitive deal on insurance. | May require specialists who understand the complexities of insuring foreign cars. |
| Documentation needed | Only needs straightforward paperwork that is easily accessible if the vehicle is registered in the UK. | Might require additional documents, including import certificates or valuation reports. |
Grey import insurance covers cars that have been imported from outside the EU. If you are looking for Japanese or American import car insurance specifically, these will come under this category.
These cars can be left-hand drive and are often not built to UK specifications. This means you could need to make modifications or get additional documentation to drive and insure these cars in the UK.
Parallel imports are cars that are imported from within the EU. Importantly, these can include cars from Japanese or US car companies that are manufactured within Europe for the European market.
This is because they will still be made to meet the minimum requirements and specifications needed to be driven in the UK without modification. Therefore, parallel import cars will usually have lower insurance costs.
These are cars that are imported without the involvement of a dealer or car import service. There will be more paperwork involved for the individual importing the vehicle. But for insurance purposes, these can be either parallel or grey imports.
You might also consider classic car insurance options if the car is a particularly old model like a Cadillac Escalade or Chevrolet Camaro.
If you are insuring a Japanese import like the Honda CRX or a Mazda Eunos, you’ll want the best cover for your investment. Finding Japanese import car insurance in the UK can be made easier by using a comparison service like ours. We match you with UK insurers who can cover your Japanese import, so you can compare policies, coverage and costs. This speeds up your search while still giving you a comprehensive understanding of what the market has to offer so you can make informed insurance decisions.
You’ll have the option of three main levels of coverage for import car insurance, including:
The cost to insure imported cars varies even more widely than normal car insurance costs. This is because the cars are more likely to have unique origins, histories and modifications that all need to be factored into premiums. That is why it is more important than ever to get quotes from a large range of trusted UK insurers who have experience in insuring imported cars. By factoring in the unique risks of your car, insurers can tell you what you could pay.
Any factor that affects the risk of an insurer covering your car will affect the cost of your import car insurance quote. This can include your record as a driver, the specifics of the car, and where or how you plan to drive it.
The high risks associated with imported cars could be offset somewhat in order to get cheaper import insurance quotes. Upgrading the car’s security, parking it on a private driveway or garage, or lowering your annual mileage could all contribute to lower insurance costs. Similarly, maintaining a good driving history, and increasing the excess on your policy could also keep costs low.
Using a comparison site simplifies the process of finding UK import insurance for a car. You only enter your details once but will get personalised quotes from several providers who can provide policies tailored to your vehicle’s specific needs.
Not all car insurers cover imported cars, so providers can be more difficult to find. We work with a vast network of over 100 car insurance providers, so you don’t have to hunt down the specialists alone.
Insuring an imported car can be a little more tricky than getting your standard insurance. When comparing car insurance for import cars with us, we ask for all the right information so you can avoid mistakes like underinsuring, or invalidating coverage by not declaring things like modifications.
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