Imported Car Insurance

Imported Car Insurance

We specialise in arranging cover for your beloved imported vehicle, our specialist imported car insurance policies are designed to protect your investment.

We know finding the right import car insurance policy can be a challenging endeavour, that's why we work with carefully selected underwriters to enable us to offer insurance solutions, with our customers in mind.

Lancaster Insurance use a panel of insurers who provide specialist cover for imported vehicles, classic cars, vintage cars and classic vehicles. Using our wealth of experience and knowledge of the industry, we are able to quote for your imported cars.

To speak to a member of our specialist customer service team call 01480 484826 or we’ll call you back at a time that’s best for you.

Available benefits overview

  • CHASSIS Cover.
  • Car Club member discounts
  • Static Show Cover
  • Historic Rally Cover
  • Choice of repairer
  • Salvage Retention
  • Free EU cover up to 90 days
  • Two Year Agreed Valuation
  • Laid Up Cover Available
  • 24 Hour Claims Helpline
  • UK Based Call Centre
  • Limited Mileage Discounts

*((additional cost applicable)

Japanese import car insurance

Imported Japanese classic cars are known for their superior craftsmanship and reliability. The Japanese have a long-held reputation for meticulousness in their manufacturing processes. This attention to detail is evident in the vintage vehicles that hail from the Land of the Rising Sun. They were built to last, often outperforming their American and European counterparts in terms of endurance and maintenance.

However, what makes these cars so special goes beyond their physical aspects. Owning an imported Japanese classic car also connects you to an exciting subculture of auto enthusiasts who share a deep-seated admiration for these machines. It's about the thrill of driving something different, something with a story, something that not everyone understands or appreciates.

Imported American classic car insurance policies

American classic cars are more than just vehicles; they are a tangible link to our past. They encapsulate the spirit of an era marked by innovation and cultural shifts. Their timeless appeal lies in their history, craftsmanship, and ability to transport us back in time. That's why American classic cars are so special.

These classics hold a significant place in American cultural history. They are reminders of the post-war boom, the birth of the muscle car era, and the rise of the consumer culture. Cars like the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro or the Cadillac Eldorado, have become iconic symbols of America's love affair with speed and style. They have starred in countless movies, songs, and pop culture references, further cementing their status as cultural artifacts.

Why is imported car insurance important for import car owners?

Imported car insurance is a must-have for import car owners. It serves as a safety net, protecting your precious vehicle from unforeseen mishaps such as accidents, theft, and damage.

The monetary implications of repairs or replacements in the event of such incidents can be massive, especially given the high cost of foreign parts and specialist labour. Import car owners often invest significant amounts into their vehicles, making the potential loss even greater.

Therefore having imported car insurance helps to manage these risks, ensuring your beloved vehicle doesn't turn into a financial burden. It's not just about protection, it's about peace of mind.

Comprehensive insurance policy

Comprehensive insurance is an all-inclusive insurance policy that covers a wide range of potential damages and losses. It's essentially a safety net that covers damages to your vehicle caused by events that are out of your control. This includes the following:

  • Any injuries suffered by other people, as well as any damage to their cars
  • Your vehicle being damaged, stolen or destroyed in a fire
  • Accidental damage to your vehicle
  • Theft of, or damage to, the contents of your vehicle

Comprehensive insurance offers peace of mind knowing you're protected from the unpredictable.

Do imported cars cost more to insure in the UK?

Imported cars typically come with higher insurance premiums in the UK. This is primarily due to the fact that these cars are often more expensive to repair and replace. Should an unfortunate event occur such as an accident or a breakdown, sourcing parts for an imported vehicle can be a challenging and costly affair.

Additionally, imported cars are perceived to be more attractive to thieves, which increases the risk associated with insuring them. Not to mention, if you've chosen to import a high-performance vehicle, insurers consider these vehicles more prone to accidents than domestic ones. All these factors combined could lead to a steeper insurance cost for imported vehicles in the UK.

Lancaster is the insurance broker of choice for classic car owners providing cover for over 88,000 classic cars (as of May 2019).

We arrange classic car insurance for over 40% of all MG Bs on the road and over 30% of all Land Rover 88s and MG Midgets – proving that classic car owners place their trust in us.

At Lancaster Classic Car Insurance, we aim to find the best price for your individual cover needs. We appreciate the importance of recognising the true value of your classic car and our team will be happy to talk to you through our benefits, such as agreed valuations and salvage retention.

We will offer you a tailored policy, bespoke to your requirements – this can include cover for:

Lancaster Insurance is committed to supporting the classic car clubs.

Owners club members may enjoy discounts of up to 25% off their insurance premium (the level of discount offered by each insurer differs and is subject to underwriting criteria).

Some of the classic car clubswe currently partner with include MG Owners ClubMX5 Owners ClubVW Golf MK1 Owners Club, VW T25 Club and many more.

If your club isn’t on our Classic Car Club page or wish to partner with Lancaster Insurance please call 01480 220065 or visit our Classic Car Club page for more details.

At Lancaster we understand that not every situation is the same, especially when it comes to Classic Cars.

That is why in addition to our Lancaster Classic Car insurance, we also can arrange the below:

  • Modified Classic Car Insurance
  • Multi-vehicle Insurance
  • Wedding Car Insurance
  • Limited Mileage Insurance
  • Laid Up Cover
  • Two Year Agreed Valuation

If you would like to know more details regarding the above offers, please call us on please call us on 01480 484826 or click here and we’ll call you back at a time that’s best for you.

Are you passionate about Classic Cars?

Here at Lancaster, we not only provide Classic Car Insurance but we’re constantly looking for ways to support the Classic Car community at events, sponsorship's, giveaways and sharing care tips for classic vehicles.

We’ve partnered with the team at Meguiar’s to showcase one of their awesome products each month.

This time we’re featuring the Meguiar’s Ultimate Snow Foam contains a specialized Xtreme Cling foaming action that delivers an intense foam that sticks and clings to painted surfaces gently loosening road grime, dirt and contaminants.

Fine-tuned to carefully and thoroughly clean coated, waxed or sealed finishes while preserving protection and leaving a brilliant, swirl-free shine.

We will listen to your requirements for cover, and discuss the best options with our panel of expert underwriters, to see if we can cover your cherished vehicle.

Call our specialist team on 01480 484826 or we’ll call you back at a time that’s best for you and let Lancaster Insurance help you.

In May 2018 the Department for Transport announced that cars that were built more than 40 years ago exempt from MOT testing, with the option for owners to voluntarily have their car tested if they feel it needs checking.

You can drive a left-hand drive car in the UK. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. The UK traffic rules are designed for right-hand drive vehicles, hence driving a left-hand drive vehicle can be challenging especially if you're not used to it.

Also, overtaking and lane changing can be difficult and potentially dangerous because your visibility will be limited. But in terms of legality, there are no laws prohibiting you from driving a left-hand drive car in the UK.

A grey import vehicle is a vehicle that is brought into a country outside the typical manufacturer's official distribution system. That means it wasn't originally intended for sale in the country it ends up in.

This happens for various reasons like specific vehicle features or models not being available locally, or perhaps even for cost-saving purposes. If you've ever come across a unique, out-of-place car on your local roads, chances are you've spotted a grey import vehicle.

A parallel import vehicle in the UK is a car or other vehicle that has been purchased in another European Union (EU) country and then imported into the UK. The key distinction here is that these vehicles are made to the same specifications as those intended for the UK market, meaning there shouldn't be any significant differences in performance or safety.

At Lancaster Insurance, we have been proudly arranging classic car insurance for over 35 years.

Specialising in arranging cover for your cherished vehicle, our tailored and comprehensive policies are designed to protect your investment.

Lancaster Insurance has access to some of the most competitive classic car, vintage car and classic vehicle insurance schemes in the UK.

We work with carefully selected underwriters to enable us to offer both comprehensive and bespoke insurance solutions, with our customers in mind.

Using our wealth of experience and knowledge of the industry, we are able to quote for virtually every classic car available.

To speak to a member of our specialist classic car customer service team call 01480 484826 or we’ll call you back at a time that’s best for you.

Available benefits at a glance

  • Car Club member discounts up to 25%
  • Static Show Cover
  • Historic Rally Cover
  • Choice of repairer
  • Salvage Retention
  • Free EU cover up to 90 days
  • Two Year Agreed Valuation
  • Laid Up Cover Available*
  • 24 Hour Claims Helpline
  • UK Based Call Centre
  • Limit Mileage Discounts

*(available for £18)

Why Choose Lancaster Classic Car Insurance?

  • Classic Car That’s Hard to Insure?
  • Classic Car MoT Exemptions
  • Classic Car Insurance Quote
  • Classic Car Insurance Discounts and Benefits:
    • Car Club member discounts up to 25%
    • Static Show Cover
    • Historic Rally Cover
    • Choice of repairer
    • Salvage Retention
    • Free EU cover up to 90 days
    • Two Year Agreed Valuation available for £18
    • Laid Up Cover Available
    • 24 Hour Claims Helpline
    • UK Based Call Centre
    • Limit Mileage Discounts