Car insurance
Japanese Import Insurance
cover for a car built for the Japanese market, from Skylines and Supras to kei cars and people carriers
Japanese import insurance is UK car insurance for a car first sold in Japan and brought here. It offers third party up to comprehensive cover from specialist insurers who understand grey imports, with agreed values and modification cover on many policies.
- Performance cars, kei cars and people carriers
- Agreed value on some policies
- Modifications declared and covered
- FCA authorised and regulated
Quick answerJapanese import insurance covers a car built for the Japanese market and brought to the UK, often called a JDM car or grey import. Most are right-hand drive, but many have no UK insurance group, a mileage recorded in kilometres and parts that may need sourcing from Japan, so mainstream insurers can load the price or decline. Specialist insurers cover them, often on an agreed value. Enter your registration and UK providers can come back with quotes.
This page is about cars built for the Japanese market. US-market cars are on our American import car insurance page, and imports from anywhere on our import car insurance page.
At a glance
Japanese Import Cover, in Brief
Six things that decide how insurance for a JDM car behaves, before any of the detail.
- Built for Japan
- A different specification from UK models
- Usually right-hand drive
- Unlike most other imports
- Often no UK insurance group
- So the car is rated individually
- Mileage in kilometres
- Converted, and worth evidencing
- Modifications are common
- Declared in full, including in Japan
- Agreed value helps
- Where UK prices are thin
The basics
What Is Japanese Import Insurance?
Car insurance for a vehicle built to Japanese specification and brought to the UK. It offers the usual levels of cover, usually from specialist insurers who know how JDM cars are repaired and valued.
Third-party cover
Injury to others and damage to their property, at every level.
Fire and theft
Your car if it is stolen or burnt out, on higher levels.
Accidental damage
Repairs to your own car on comprehensive cover.
Agreed value
A value set at the start, on some policies.
Modification cover
Tuning and styling changes, once declared.
Parts delay terms
Extra time or a hire car while parts arrive, where included.
How it works
How Is a JDM Import Insured in the UK?
You describe the car, how it reached the UK and what has changed, then the drivers. Specialist insurers price the risk on those details, and you choose the cover, excess and extras.
You describe the car
Make, model, year, Japanese specification, value, and where it is kept overnight.
You explain its history
When it was imported, the UK registration, and any auction or export paperwork.
You list every change
Engine, exhaust, suspension, wheels and styling, whether done here or in Japan.
You choose the terms
Market or agreed value, the excess, mileage, and the drivers to be named.
What it covers
What Does Japanese Import Insurance Cover?
The usual three levels of car cover, with agreed values, modification cover and parts delay terms on some policies.
| Section | Where it sits | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Injury and damage to others | Core | Included at every level of cover |
| Fire and theft | Core on higher levels | Security conditions are common on performance models |
| Accidental damage | Comprehensive | JDM-only parts can slow repairs |
| Agreed value | On some policies | Useful where few similar cars sell here |
| Modifications | If declared | Including work done before import |
| Courtesy car | On some policies | Rarely anything like the car being repaired |
| Club events | On some policies | Meets and shows, not track days |
Track days are usually separate. Many policies exclude circuit use. If you take the car on track, ask about track day cover before the event.
Exclusions
Where Does Japanese Import Cover Fall Short?
Cover can exclude a car not declared as an import, undeclared tuning, track use and the cost of waiting for parts unless the policy says otherwise.
Undeclared import status
A JDM car insured as if it were a UK model.
Undeclared modifications
Including tuning done in Japan.
Track and timed events
Unless track day cover is added.
Waiting for parts
Delay costs, unless hire or delay cover is included.
Unmet security conditions
Such as a required tracker not active.
Undeclared drivers
Someone driving who is not named or allowed.
Types
Skylines, Kei Cars and People Carriers: Which Imports Can Be Covered?
A wide range of Japanese imports can be covered. Power, value and changes shape the terms more than the badge.
Performance cars
Skylines, Supras, RX-7s and the like.
Kei cars
Small cars built for Japan’s smallest class.
People carriers
Large family and luxury MPVs.
Japanese classics
Older cars bought for pleasure.
Camper conversions
Imported vans turned into campers.
Hybrids and electric cars
Versions never sold new here.
A camper conversion? See our campervan insurance page.
Who it suits
Am I Eligible for Japanese Import Insurance?
UK residents with a full licence can usually get quotes for a JDM car. Younger drivers, drivers with convictions and heavily modified cars can find fewer insurers willing to quote.
Performance fans
Turbocharged coupes and saloons.
Families
Imported people carriers used daily.
Collectors
Rare models never sold in the UK.
Tuners
Cars modified here or in Japan.
Club members
Owners clubs for Japanese makes.
Older drivers
Long records and garaged weekend cars.
Under 25? See our young drivers car insurance page. Over 50? See our over 50s car insurance page.
Japan or America
Is a Japanese Import Easier to Insure Than an American One?
Often, in one respect: most JDM cars are right-hand drive, which removes a question insurers ask about US cars. Modifications and performance usually weigh more heavily instead.
| Japanese import | American import | |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | Usually right-hand drive | Usually left-hand drive |
| Age at import | Often over ten years old | Any age |
| Parts | Many shared with UK-sold models | More often shipped from America |
| Common changes | Engine tuning and styling | Lights for UK roads |
Insuring a US car? See our American import car insurance page.
Cost
What Will Japanese Import Insurance Cost?
There is no typical price. It depends on the car, its power and changes, the drivers, where it is kept, how it is used and the claims history. We do not print average premiums.
Why the car leads
Power, tuning, theft risk and the lack of a UK insurance group all feed the price of a JDM car.
Why the drivers matter too
Age, experience, claims and convictions for everyone named carry a lot of weight on a performance import.
What the quote is rated on
The main factors
- The carModel, power and valueBase
- ModificationsTuning and stylingRate
- DriversAge and historyRate
- PostcodeWhere it is kept overnightRate
- No claims bonusClaim-free yearsAdjust
Security
Trackers and immobilisers can help, and are sometimes required.
Owners clubs
Some insurers recognise membership of a JDM club.
No UK group
Insurers rate the car on its own details. See our insurance groups guide.
Before you insure
What Belongs in the File Before a JDM Car Is Insured?
Value and history disputes on Japanese imports are settled by paperwork. Four documents come up again and again.
The UK registration
Newer imports need vehicle approval before registration. Cars over 10 years old are exempt from approval but still need registering.
The auction or export papers
Auction sheets and export certificates record the grade, condition and mileage when the car left Japan.
A mileage you can evidence
Kilometres converted to miles, backed by the paperwork, guard against a disputed reading after a claim.
A list of every change
Receipts and descriptions for tuning and styling, including work done in Japan before import.
Quote checklist
What Details Go Into a Japanese Import Quote?
Six things shape the quote: the car, its history, the changes, the drivers, how it is used, and where it is kept.
The car
Registration, model, year and value.
Its history
Import date and Japanese paperwork.
The changes
Every modification, here or in Japan.
The drivers
Everyone who will drive, and their licences.
How it is used
Daily, weekends or shows, and the mileage.
Where it is kept
Postcode, garage or driveway overnight.
Comparing
What Matters When Comparing Japanese Import Quotes?
Four areas decide whether a policy suits a JDM car: the cover, the excess, the import terms and the wider terms. The price is only one of them.
The cover
- Level of cover
- Courtesy or hire car
- European driving
The excess
- Compulsory excess
- Voluntary excess
- Any import or age excess
Import terms
- Agreed or market value
- Parts and repair routes
- Modification cover
Wider terms
- Mileage limits
- Security conditions
- Club event cover
Check how modifications are covered. Some policies pay only for standard parts after a claim. See our car insurance excess guide for the other figure that matters.
Cutting costs
Which Levers Lower a JDM Premium?
The levers are the excess, security, storage, mileage and accurate details. 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.
Garage the car
Secure storage can help the terms.
Fit approved security
A tracker can help on theft-prone models.
Set a realistic mileage
Limited mileage can suit a weekend car.
Join an owners club
Some insurers recognise membership.
Compare specialist quotes
Specialist insurers price JDM cars differently.
Only need cover for a few days? See our short-term and temporary car insurance page.
Glossary
JDM Terms in Plain English
The words that come up most when insuring a Japanese import.
- JDM
- Japanese domestic market: a car built for sale in Japan.
- Grey import
- A car imported privately, not through the maker’s UK network.
- Kei car
- A small car built to Japan’s smallest size and engine class.
- Auction sheet
- A Japanese record of a car’s grade, condition and mileage.
- Export certificate
- The Japanese document issued when a car leaves the country.
- Vehicle approval
- The check a newer import needs before UK registration.
- Agreed value
- A value set with the insurer at the start of the policy.
- Modification
- Any change from the car’s factory specification.
- Main driver
- The person who drives the car most.
- Compulsory excess
- The part of a claim the insurer sets that you pay.
Why MyMoneyComparison.com
Why Compare Japanese Import 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
Japanese Import Insurance FAQs
Answers on cover, cost, eligibility, modifications, mileage, parts and temporary cover.
What is Japanese import insurance?
UK car insurance for a car first sold in Japan and brought here, often called a JDM car or grey import. Specialist insurers cover these cars where mainstream insurers may load the price or decline.
Who can get Japanese import insurance?
UK residents with a full licence can usually get quotes. Younger drivers, drivers with convictions and owners of heavily modified cars can find fewer insurers willing to quote.
What does Japanese import insurance cover?
The same as any car policy at the level you choose: third party, third party fire and theft, or comprehensive. Agreed value, modification cover and parts delay terms vary by insurer.
How much does Japanese import insurance cost?
There is no typical price. The car, its power and changes, the drivers, the postcode, the mileage and the claims history all shape it. We do not print average premiums.
Do I need to tell my insurer the car is a Japanese import?
Yes. The car’s origin is important information. Insuring a JDM car as if it were a UK model could lead to a claim being reduced or refused.
Are Japanese imports right-hand drive?
Most are, because Japan drives on the left like the UK. That removes one question insurers ask about many other imports, though power and modifications still shape the price.
Why does the mileage matter?
Japanese cars record kilometres. A converted mileage backed by auction or export paperwork helps support the value and guards against a disputed reading after a claim.
Do JDM cars have a UK insurance group?
Many do not, so insurers rate them on their own details. Some share a group with a similar UK-sold model, so ask how the car is being rated.
Do I need to declare modifications made in Japan?
Yes. Tuning, exhausts, suspension, wheels and styling count whether they were done here or in Japan. Undeclared changes can affect a claim. See our modified car insurance page.
Can I insure a Japanese import with a conviction?
Often, yes, though a conviction together with a powerful import narrows the choice of insurers. Declare every conviction for every driver. See our convicted drivers insurance page.
Can young drivers insure a Japanese import?
Often, though performance models can be costly or hard to place for younger drivers. A smaller car or fewer changes can help. See our young drivers car insurance page.
Are there options for older drivers?
Yes. A garaged weekend JDM car on limited mileage can suit older, experienced drivers, and some insurers focus on them. See our over 50s car insurance page.
Is a kit car built on a Japanese donor an import?
No. A kit car built here using parts from a Japanese car is insured as a kit car, not as an import. See our kit car insurance page.
Can I get temporary cover to collect the car?
The car must be insured before it is driven on UK roads. Short-term cover can bridge the gap, though some short-term insurers decline imports. See our short-term and temporary car insurance page.
Is agreed value worth having?
Often, for a rare or modified import. Market value depends on similar UK sales, which can be few. An agreed value backed by evidence avoids that argument after a total loss.
Will repairs take longer?
They can, if JDM-only parts have to come from Japan. Many mechanical parts are shared with UK-sold models. Check the repair and courtesy car terms before you buy.
Is an older Japanese import a classic?
It can be. Older JDM cars kept for pleasure can suit classic car cover, usually with limited mileage and an agreed value. See our classic car insurance page.
Does security matter on a JDM car?
Some Japanese performance models attract thieves. Approved trackers, immobilisers and a garage can help the terms, and some insurers require them. Keep any tracker subscription active.
How do I compare Japanese import quotes?
Look beyond the price to the valuation basis, modification cover, parts and repair terms, mileage limits, security conditions, track day exclusions and the total excess.
Ready when you are
Get Quotes for Your Car
Enter your registration and tell us about the car and the drivers. UK providers can then come back with quotes. Free to use, with no obligation to buy.
- Specialist cover for Japanese imports
- Free to use, no obligation
- FCA authorised and regulated
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About this page
This page explains UK insurance for Japanese import cars: what it covers, who can get it, and how the car’s history, mileage and modifications shape a quote. 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
- UK guidance on importing, approving and registering vehicles
- Financial Ombudsman material on motor insurance complaints