Imported car insurance

Are imported cars more expensive to insure?

Yes, it’s usually more expensive to insure an imported car, for several reasons:

• High-risk: If you import a car that’s not common in the UK, it might be more desirable to thieves. Therefore, it can be more expensive to insure as it's a higher risk.
• Requires imported parts: If you’re in an accident, an imported car won’t necessarily be simple to repair. If it’s less common in the UK, parts might need to be sourced from abroad or specialist companies, which could be expensive. If your insurer thinks they might have to pay a higher bill for potential repairs, they're likely to charge you more.
• Specific repair work needed: Cars imported from outside of Europe don't always conform to EU standards, meaning they need specialist repairs. Depending on the car, you might need specific expertise to do those repairs, which tends to be expensive.
• High-specs: Imported cars often have higher specifications, meaning they can go faster. Insurers could deem them to be more at risk of being in an accident than ‘standard’ cars.
• Fewer options: Not all insurers cover imported cars. This means you're likely to see fewer quotes available, therefore less competitive prices.

This is all reflected in your costs when your car insurance is calculated.

Can I get Japanese import car insurance?

Yes, Japanese imports are by far the most popular imported car we insure so you shouldn’t find it harder to insure a Japanese model than any other car.

However, while it’s straightforward to insure Japanese imports, it’s still likely to cost more than a more standard car insurance policy.

How do I reduce the cost of my insurance?

There are several things you can do to keep your imported car insurance costs down, for example:

• Shopping around and comparing car insurance prices could save you up to £452^{1}.
• Paying annually. You’ll always be charged interest on a monthly agreement. If you can afford it, it’s best to pay annually to save up to 50%^{2} compared to paying monthly.
• Increasing your voluntary excess can sometimes bring the price down. Just make sure you can afford to pay more towards any repairs or claims you might make.
• Increasing your car security. The lower your risk of making a theft claim on your policy, the lower your insurance costs might be.
• Checking to see if there’s an owners’ club for your model or make of car. If there is, you might be able to get some help on which insurers are particularly favourable to owners in your situation.

You can find out more about these and other ways to save in our guide on tips to get cheaper car insurance.

{1}*Based on data provided by Consumer Intelligence Ltd, www.consumerintelligence.com (October '24). 51% of Confused.com car insurance customers could save £452.34
{2}Confused.com data Q2 2024.

Can I get temporary car insurance for an imported car?

While we can help find short term cover for a range of vehicles, we’re unlikely to be able to offer this for most imported cars.

There could be some insurers who offer this type of cover, but they're limited. Getting a temporary car insurance quote is the best way to find out. Depending on how long you need it, temporary cover can work out much more expensive on any car. So for an import that's more expensive anyway, it might not be financially viable and make more sense to buy a 12 month policy instead.

Always compare prices between the temporary cover you need, and 12 month policies to make sure you’re getting the best deal and not over paying for convenience.