Japanese Import Car Insurance

If you choose to import a Japanese car the likelihood is that it will have different specifications than cars from other countries around the world.  As such, it would be wise to insure it with a policy that is tailor-made for Japanese cars and designed to cover you against any common issues. 

If you have chosen to import a vehicle from Japan, or any other country in the world for that matter, it is essential that you ensure all the paperwork is filled out properly.  By law, all imported vehicles must meet the UK’s safety and emissions regulations, otherwise not only will it not be road legal but you could also struggle to find an insurance policy.  Before you apply for car insurance for Japanese imports, make sure that you have correctly registered your vehicle with the DVLA, made any modifications necessary and paid the right amount of tax for the vehicle.  Once this is complete you will be able to enjoy your new passion!

The cost of your premiums will be based on a number of factors, including the rareness of the vehicle, its cost and how you intend to use it.  Naturally, if your Japanese car will cost more to fix above other European cars your premiums will increase to cover this.  There are ways that you can save money on your imported car, however having a previous no claims bonus or only using your car as a secondary vehicle will likely increase your total savings. 

You will need to check the specification. A UK specification means that the car has been made specifically for the UK. A non-UK specification car can be difficult to insure because parts for it may not be available in the UK. Car insurance premiums may therefore be higher for imports.

If you wish to amend your car insurance policy, you should contact your insurer by telephone or by email. They will then deal with your request appropriately. Most insurance providers will allow you to amend your policy at any stage.

If your car is garaged, alarmed and immobilised it will likely result in you being offered a discounted premium for your car insurance quote. However, to receive a quote you will not necessarily need to have any of the above.

Racing, competitions, rallies, trials, track days and 4×4 off road events are not covered under a normal car insurance policy. It may be that you can purchase a special type of insurance for such events. If you wish to seek any further insurance advice about participating in such events, then it may be worth speaking to your insurer.

Modified cars are certainly more difficult to source car insurance quotes for. Most insurers prefer to cover vehicles by volume and are therefore not keen to manually scrutinize risks on an individual basis, this restricts the available insurer markets. Modified cars are also likely to have higher premiums as they will carry more risks.

It is a illegal to not insure your car. If you are found to be breaking the law by not having car insurance, you could be heavily fined and even sent to prison. You could also be disqualified from driving.