If you have purchased or planned to purchase an imported car, getting the vehicle insured is a priority. However, insuring an imported vehicle can be difficult, frustrating and expensive. But, it?s not impossible. Just be prepared to work hard, ask questions and possibly contact several insurance providers.

Keep in mind, while you can get a deal on importing a car, you may lose whatever money you save when you purchase insurance for the car. That is why it?s important to get an insurance quote before you import the car. Shop around and get several insurance quotes in order to get a competitive rate. If your imported vehicle is a sports car, expect to pay more for insurance. That?s because sports cars traditionally cost more to insure simply because they are more prone to accidents.

Most insurers will cover an imported car as long as they locate the VIN numbers. If they cannot locate this registration number, then it is up to you to see if they can find the exact model your car in their look-up table. If that doesn’t work, you will have to see an agent for another company.

Some companies only insure the most popular models of imports. They may only insure them for market value, not replacement cost. Other companies will write policies for modified vehicles, but only as long as the modifications are not significant. If you make substantial modifications to your imported car, then you will have to find a carrier that specializes in import cars. “Substantial” means different things to different companies, and sometimes small differences in the work on your car can make big differences in the price you are quoted. That’s why it is important to ask around and to ask lots of questions as you get your insurance quotes.

Some companies will not insure European versions of a UK car, but with left-hand drive. This is also something to keep in mind when importing your car and obtaining your insurance.

It is very important to check your import?s security fittings. This could impact the vehicle?s eligibility for coverage, as well as the cost. Not having proper security fittings can either raise the insurance premiums dramatically, or cause the provider to refuse to insure the vehicle. Make sure you get detailed information on the vehicle?s security fittings prior to having the vehicle imported.

While insuring your import may be time-consuming and expensive, it’s not impossible. Do your research. Ask Questions. Call your importer and ask for their advice for obtaining insurance. And if you are importing a sports car, you can often get insurance at a discounted rate simply by joining a car club. Clubs often make deals with insurance companies for their members?ask about the benefits available to you. Finally, make sure you get comprehensive coverage for your imported vehicle. You imported car is an expensive investment, and it needs thorough insurance protection.