Cheap car insurance for imported vehicles and left-hand drive cars
Key takeaways
- Parallel imports are cars bought within the EU that meet UK standards; Grey imports come from outside the EU (like Japan) and may need modifications.
- Left-hand drive cars are legal in the UK but usually attract higher premiums due to reduced visibility for overtaking.
- Insurers charge more for imports because parts are harder to source and repair costs are higher.
- You must inform your insurer of any modifications made to bring the car up to UK road standards.
What is imported car insurance?
An imported car might have unclear safety and environmental standards, parts manufactured in a different market and be a left-hand drive (LHD). If your car meets any of these criteria, you may need specialist car insurance.
If you import a car that's not sold and registered in the UK, many insurers may decide against offering you a quote. This is largely due to uncertainty around the risk level of imported vehicles.
When car insurance providers can't accurately determine the risk profile of your car, it can be difficult to calculate a quote. This may be because:
- Safety and environmental standards of an imported car may differ to UK regulations, so it can be more difficult to insure
- The cost of repairs and replacements parts could be more expensive due to sourcing efforts, in turn driving up insurance premiums
- Left-hand drive vehicles can present an additional risk in the eyes of insurers, increasing car insurance costs
Insurers may ask you to provide documentation if you state your car is imported to ensure it has been formally registered in the UK. The process of finding car insurance for an imported vehicle can depend on where it was built and what category of import it falls into.
What are the categories of imported cars?
Generally, there are two types of imported vehicles: Grey and Parallel imports. These cars are manufactured outside the UK in different markets around the world.
Grey import: These cars are made outside the EU in countries such as Japan and the USA. These vehicles typically have higher specifications compared to similar UK and EU models and may require modification to comply with safety and environmental regulations.
If a grey import has increased power and higher-spec interior features, it can increase the risk of the car and the cost of potential repairs.
Parallel import: These are cars that are generally brought into the UK from the EU and share similar specifications. Because of this, these cars may meet UK vehicle regulations, so it can be easier to register and insure parallel imports compared to grey imports.
In addition, you also have what's known as a 'personal import'. This refers to vehicles that are brought to the UK by an individual as opposed to a dealer. A personal import can also be a grey or parallel import car. Either way, you must tell your insurer.
Buying a personal import from a private seller may be as straightforward as buying a used car where you just need to tax and insure your car. You'll just need to do some due diligence to ensure the car has been registered in the UK and meets vehicle regulations.
However, if you're importing the car yourself, you must register it and ensure it's approved for use via the individual vehicle approval (IVA) scheme.
Is imported car insurance more expensive?
Yes, it can be. When it comes to finding car insurance for imported cars, it's always worth considering a specialist policy. But there are ways you can help keep the cost of car insurance down, including:
- Avoiding non-essential modifications
- Increasing your voluntary excess
- Considering telematics policies such as black box insurance
- Shopping around and comparing quotes
How much does it cost to insure an imported car?
It can vary quite a bit. This is due to a number of factors such as where the car was originally manufactured, the availability of parts and what safety standards the vehicle complies with.
It's true that there is some difference in car insurance premiums between imported cars and vehicles manufactured for use on UK roads.
So, what else do insurers consider? Other risk considerations include:
Your driving history: How long you've held a full driving licence and any previous claims, suspensions, or violations – can have a major impact on your premium.
Personal circumstances: Your age, where you live and your occupation are considered. A regular lengthy commute to a workplace is likely to increase your mileage and insurance cost compared to someone who works from home, for example.
The car you drive: It's not always thought of, but vehicles are assigned a vehicle insurance group based on their specifications, features and value. Lower-group vehicles generally cost less to insure.
Can I get insurance for left-hand-drive cars?
Left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles can still be insured and driven in the UK. However, since most cars built for the UK are right-hand drive (RHD), an LHD vehicle may indicate that it has been imported.
Most countries in Europe, the USA, Russia and China all drive on the right-hand side of the road. So, if you import a vehicle from one of these countries, it may be an LHD car. Car insurance providers may view LHD cars as a visibility risk as the driver sits on the 'wrong' side for UK roads. However, according to Uswitch data*, the average comprehensive car insurance premium for an LHD car is £542, compared to £537 for RHD vehicles.
If you have an LHD car, you'll need to ensure the steering wheel is adjusted for suitability and headlights are angled correctly to avoid dazzling other drivers.
Headlamp converters or specialised stickers are also important to use when driving an LHD car in an RHD country. These stickers are used to block a part of the headlight beam that flares in the opposite direction, avoiding the blinding of oncoming drivers.
"Insuring a left-hand drive car in the UK is usually straightforward, but it’s important to provide as much detail as possible about the vehicle.
Insurers may need information on its origin, specifications, and any modifications, so being transparent upfront can help avoid delays or complications when arranging cover or making a claim."
What does imported car insurance cover?
It covers an imported car in the same way a standard insurance policy would cover a car manufactured in the UK. The simple difference is that specialist insurance can offer cover for cars not produced for sale and registration in the UK.
As far as what's included in your policy, it largely depends on the level of cover you choose.
| Third-party only | Third-party fire & theft | Comprehensive |
|---|---|---|
| It's the legal minimum amount of car insurance cover available in the UK. It'll offer protection for damage to others and their property, but not your own car. | As the name would suggest, it provides everything that a third-party only policy can, but with additional cover for fire damage and theft. | Offers the broadest level of cover protecting you, your car, other people and their property. It's actually cheaper than other levels of cover and the most common. |
The finer details of your policy can vary quite a bit between providers, so it's always best to check what's included before buying. But you may also have cover for:
- Repairs and replacement parts, even if they’re specialist or harder to source
- Windscreen repair or replacement, if included in your policy
Cover for modifications, depending on the the type of import
What additional extras can you add to your imported car insurance?
There are various add-ons you can enhance your cover with, ranging from breakdown and recovery to legal cover and protected no-claims bonus.
Sometimes you may already have these included in your policy, but for the most part, they come at an extra cost. Common add-ons include:
| Additional cover | Description |
|---|---|
| Breakdown cover | If your imported car breaks down, you can call upon assistance. There are typically different levels of cover you can choose from that include basic roadside assistance, national recovery and European recovery. |
| Legal expenses cover | Can provide you with protection against legal costs if you find yourself needing to claim losses and compensation for a car accident that isn't your fault, for example. |
| Courtesy car cover | A temporary courtesy car can be provided to you while yours undergoes repairs at a garage for a set period of time. |
| Key cover | Can pay to replace, repair or reprogram car keys if they're damaged, stolen or lost. |
| Enhanced parts and modifications cover | This can be particularly useful if your imported car has non-standard features. It may offer like-for-like parts if your car needs to be repaired. |
| Protected no-claims bonus (NCB) | Typically you'll lose your years of no-claims bonus if you claim on your car insurance policy. Protecting your NCB will enable you to retain your bonus up to a set amount of claims per year depending on your cover. |
*Uswitch data based on comprehensive car insurance policies between November 2025 and February 2026
FAQs
How do I import a car into the UK?
If you import a car into the UK, you'll need to inform the taxman within 14 days, and pay anything that you’re told is due on the import. It will have to be tested under the government’s individual vehicle approval scheme to ensure it’s suitable for use on UK roads. You’ll then need to register the car with the DVLA. Once you've done all that, you can insure and tax your car as normal.
How much VAT and duty will I have to pay on my imported car?
The amount of duty you’ll have to pay depends on the type of car you’ve bought, and where it’s come from. The amount of VAT you will have to pay depends on the value of the car. If you're buying through a dealership, they should be able to give you the exact figures. If it’s a personal import, HMRC will give you the figures when you tell them about the import.
Do imported cars need a vehicle identification number?
Yes, an imported car does need a vehicle identification number (VIN), which is stamped onto the car’s chassis. You can’t get ‘normal’ car insurance until you have a VIN, although some insurers offer VIN insurance that will cover you until the car one.
Do I have to declare if my car is imported for car insurance?
Yes, you have to tell your insurer that your car is imported. The fact it’s imported will be a factor in how your insurer calculates your premiums. You should always give your insurer the full details of any car you are insuring.
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