Car insurance
Import Car Insurance
cover for a grey or parallel import, from Japanese performance cars to American models
Cover for a car first sold abroad and brought to the UK. Declaring its origin, specification and any changes matters as much as the price, as parts and repairs can differ.
- Grey and parallel imports
- Japanese and American models
- Specialist insurers
- FCA authorised and regulated
Quick answerImport car insurance covers a car first sold outside the UK and brought here, such as a Japanese or American model. Grey imports can have different specifications, less familiar parts and harder repair routes, so mainstream insurers may load or decline. Specialist insurers can cover them, often with agreed values and parts terms. Enter your registration and UK providers can come back with quotes.
This page is about cars imported into the UK. Changes made after import are covered on our modified car insurance page.
At a glance
Import Car Cover, in Brief
Six things that decide how import car insurance behaves, before any of the detail.
- Where it came from
- Grey and parallel imports
- Parts and repairs
- Parts can be harder to find
- The value
- Agreed value on some policies
- UK registration
- Registered and approved for UK roads
- Specification
- Performance can differ from UK models
- Security
- Some imports attract thieves
The basics
What Is Import Car Insurance?
Car insurance for a car first sold outside the UK. It offers the usual levels of cover, often from specialist insurers who understand imports.
Third-party cover
Injury to others and damage to their property.
Fire and theft
Your car if stolen or burnt out, on higher levels.
Accidental damage
Repairs to your car on comprehensive cover.
Agreed value
A set value on some policies.
Specialist repairers
Garages familiar with imports.
Parts sourcing
Time allowed for parts from abroad, on some policies.
How it works
How Does Import Car Insurance Work?
You describe the car, where it came from, its specification and the drivers, and specialist insurers price the import risk.
You describe the car
Registration, model, country of origin, specification and any changes.
You describe the drivers
The main driver, anyone else named, licences, claims and any convictions.
You describe how it is used
Social, commuting or business use, and roughly how far you drive.
You choose the terms
The level of cover, the excess, any extras and how you pay.
What it covers
What Does Import Car Insurance Cover?
The usual levels of car cover for an imported car, with agreed values and specialist repair terms on some policies.
| Section | Where it sits | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Injury and damage to others | Core | Included at every level |
| Fire and theft | Core on higher levels | Subject to security conditions |
| Accidental damage | Comprehensive | Parts can take longer |
| Agreed value | On some policies | Helpful where market values are unclear |
| Modifications | If declared | Common on performance imports |
| Courtesy car | Often included | Repairs can take longer |
| Club events | On some policies | Not competitive events |
Market value can be hard to pin down. Imports can be rare in the UK, so an agreed value can avoid disputes after a total loss.
Exclusions
What Import Car Insurance Does Not Include
Cover can exclude undeclared modifications, an import not declared as one, wear and tear, and delays waiting for parts.
Undeclared import status
A grey import insured as a UK model.
Undeclared modifications
Changes made before or after import.
Wear and tear
Mechanical failure and worn parts.
Parts delay costs
Unless the policy covers hire or delay.
Unmet security conditions
Such as a tracker not active.
Undeclared drivers
Someone driving who is not named or allowed.
Types
Which Imported Cars Can Be Covered?
A wide range of imports. Origin, specification and value shape the terms.
Japanese performance cars
Popular grey imports.
Japanese people carriers
Family imports.
American cars
Muscle cars and pick-ups.
European parallel imports
Cars bought abroad in another spec.
Classic imports
Older cars brought to the UK.
Imported electric cars
Models not sold new in the UK.
An older import? See our classic car insurance page.
Who it suits
Who Import Car Insurance Suits
Owners of cars first sold outside the UK, whether driven every day or kept for pleasure.
Performance fans
Japanese and American performance cars.
Families
Imported people carriers.
Collectors
Rare models not sold in the UK.
Enthusiasts
Modified imports.
Everyday drivers
Imports used daily.
Club members
Owners clubs for imported models.
Under 25? See our young drivers car insurance page.
Import or UK model
Import Cover vs Cover for a UK Model
The levels of cover are the same. The differences sit in parts, repairs, valuation and the specification of the car.
| Imported car | UK model | |
|---|---|---|
| Parts | Can be harder to source | Widely available |
| Valuation | Agreed value can help | Market value |
| Insurers | Often specialist | Mainstream |
| Specification | Can differ | UK specification |
Check the insurance group. Some imports have no UK group, so insurers rate them individually. See our insurance groups guide.
Cost
What Import Car Insurance Is Priced On
The car, its origin and parts, the drivers, where it is kept, how it is used and the claims history. We do not print average premiums.
Why the car leads
Parts availability, repair costs, performance and theft risk all feed the price for an import.
Why the drivers matter too
Age, experience, claims and convictions for everyone named carry a lot of weight.
What the quote is rated on
The main factors
- The carModel, origin and valueBase
- PartsAvailability and costRate
- DriversAge and historyRate
- PostcodeWhere it is keptRate
- No claims bonusClaim-free yearsAdjust
Security
Trackers and immobilisers can help.
Owners clubs
Some insurers recognise membership.
Garage storage
Can help the terms.
The details
The Origin and Specification Details That Decide an Import Car Claim
Import car claims can turn on what was declared about the car. Four details come up again and again.
Declare it as an import
Say where the car came from and whether it is a grey or parallel import.
List every modification
Including changes made before the car arrived in the UK.
Agree the value
Where market value is unclear, agree a value backed by evidence.
Keep import paperwork
Registration and approval documents support the car’s history.
Quote checklist
What You Will Be Asked for an Import Car Quote
Six things shape the quote: the car, where it came from, the drivers, their history, how it is used, and where it is kept.
The car
Registration, model and specification.
The drivers
Everyone who will drive, and their licences.
Claims and convictions
Recent claims and any motoring convictions.
How it is used
Social, commuting or business, and mileage.
Where it is kept
Postcode and overnight parking.
Where it came from
Country of origin and import paperwork.
Comparing
Checking Import Car Quotes Side by Side
Four areas decide whether a policy suits you: the cover, the excess, the specialist terms, and the wider terms. The price is only one of them.
The cover
- Level of cover and courtesy car
- Windscreen cover
- Driving other cars
The excess
- Compulsory excess
- Voluntary excess
- Windscreen excess
Import terms
- Agreed value
- Parts and repair routes
- Modification cover
Terms
- No claims bonus protection
- European driving
- Paying monthly or upfront
Check how repairs are handled. Parts from abroad can take longer to arrive. Unfamiliar terms are explained in our plain English jargon guide.
Cutting costs
How to Reduce the Cost of Import Car Insurance
The levers are the excess, security, storage, accurate details and how you buy. We publish no savings figures.
Choose the excess deliberately
A higher voluntary excess is a lever, worth using only at a level you could pay.
Join an owners club
Some insurers recognise membership.
Fit security
Trackers can help.
Garage the car
Secure storage can help.
Set a realistic mileage
Lower mileage can help.
Compare specialist quotes
Specialist insurers price imports differently.
Glossary
Import Car Insurance Terms Explained
The words that come up most on an import car insurance schedule.
- Grey import
- A car imported privately, not through the maker’s UK network.
- Parallel import
- A car bought abroad in a spec also sold in the UK.
- Agreed value
- A value set with the insurer at the start of the policy.
- Specification
- The equipment and performance of the car as built.
- Registration
- The UK registration and approval for road use.
- Main driver
- The person who drives the car most.
- Named driver
- Someone else allowed to drive the car under the policy.
- No claims bonus
- A discount built up through claim-free years.
- Compulsory excess
- The part of a claim the insurer sets that you pay.
- Voluntary excess
- An extra amount you choose to pay on a claim.
Why MyMoneyComparison.com
Why Compare Import Car Insurance with MyMoneyComparison.com?
MyMoneyComparison.com is an FCA-authorised UK comparison service that introduces drivers to specialist brokers. We do not sell insurance and we do not give advice: the broker you choose arranges the policy. Using us is free.
One form, one car
Describe the car once, instead of repeating yourself to each broker.
Advice given
We are an introducer, not a broker. We do not sell policies and we do not recommend one insurer or product over another. Read our editorial policy.
Authorised and regulated
MyMoneyComparison.com Ltd appears on the FCA register under FRN 916241.
Incorporated
A UK company since 2013. FCA authorisation is separate and later; the register carries its date.
FAQs
Import Car Insurance FAQs
Answers on grey imports, parts, valuations and registration.
What is import car insurance?
Car insurance for a car first sold outside the UK and brought here, such as a Japanese or American model. Specialist insurers often cover imports where mainstream insurers load the price or decline.
What is a grey import?
A car imported privately rather than through the manufacturer’s UK network. It may have a different specification from UK models, which can affect parts, repairs and insurance.
What is a parallel import?
A car bought in another country, often in the EU, in a specification also sold in the UK. Parallel imports can be easier to insure than grey imports because parts are similar.
Why can import car insurance cost more?
Parts can be harder to find, repairs can take longer and some imports have high performance or theft risk. These factors can raise the price for many drivers.
Do I need to tell my insurer the car is imported?
Yes. The car’s origin is important information your insurer needs. Insuring an import as a UK model could lead to a claim being reduced or refused. Keep the import paperwork to hand.
Is agreed value cover available?
Some specialist insurers offer agreed value cover for imports, which helps where UK market values are unclear. Back the value with evidence such as receipts or valuations.
Are modifications common on imports?
Yes, especially on Japanese performance cars. Declare every change, including those made before the car arrived in the UK, as undeclared changes can affect a claim.
Can young drivers insure an import?
Often, yes, though some performance imports can be costly or hard to place for younger drivers. Specialist insurers can quote, and fewer modifications can help.
Does an import need to be registered?
An import needs UK registration and the right approval before it can be driven on UK roads. Insurers will ask for the UK registration when you get a quote.
Are repairs slower for imports?
They can be, if parts need sourcing from abroad. Some policies include a courtesy or hire car while repairs take place, so check the terms.
Do owners clubs help?
Some insurers recognise owners club membership for imported models. Clubs can also help with valuations, parts and finding specialist repairers. Mention membership when you ask for quotes, as it can help the terms offered.
Can I insure an American import?
Yes. American cars and pick-ups can be covered by specialist insurers. Declare the specification, any changes and whether it is used privately or for work.
Is an imported electric car covered?
Often, yes. Imported electric models can have less familiar parts and repair routes, so tell the insurer the exact model and where it came from.
Does security matter?
Some imports attract thieves. Approved trackers, immobilisers and secure parking can help the terms, and some insurers require them for higher-risk models. Keep any tracker subscription active, as a lapsed tracker could affect a claim.
Can I drive my import in Europe?
Many policies include some European cover, sometimes only third-party and for a set period. Check the level of cover and any time limits before you travel.
How do I compare import car quotes?
Look beyond the price to the valuation basis, modification cover, repair and parts terms, courtesy car options, security conditions and the total excess. Check how long repairs could take.
Ready when you are
Get Quotes for Your Imported Car
Enter your registration and tell us about the drivers. UK providers can then come back with quotes. Free to use, with no obligation to buy.
- Specialist cover for imported cars
- Free to use, no obligation
- FCA authorised and regulated
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About this page
This page explains UK import Car Insurance: what it covers, what it leaves out, and how the import’s parts, value and history decide a claim. It is general information rather than advice. Policies differ between insurers, so read your own documents and put the questions raised here to your insurer or broker.
How we approached this page
- Published UK imported car policy summaries
- Parts, valuation and specification terms
- Financial Ombudsman material on motor insurance complaints
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