American car insurance
Whether you have your eye on an iconic Ford Mustang or luxury Lincoln Navigator SUV, the American car market is an attractive one for petrol heads. But what will buying and importing an American car mean for your car insurance?
Whether you have your eye on an iconic Ford Mustang or luxury Lincoln Navigator SUV, the American car market is an attractive one for petrol heads. But what will buying and importing an American car mean for your car insurance?
Can I insure an American car in the UK?
Yes, you can insure an imported American car, but it won’t be quite as straightforward as insuring a car built in the UK.
You’ll probably find you have fewer insurance providers to choose from, because not all of them cover left-hand-drive cars. Those that do may add restrictions, like only insuring drivers over a certain age or those who’ve held a licence for several years.
Other things to consider when importing a car from America include the availability of parts, technology and modifications.
Is it more expensive to insure an American car?
Yes, car insurance for an imported American car is usually more expensive than for cars made for the UK. The exact cost will depend on the car model and your driving history, but insurance providers will typically look at:
- The purchase price of your American car
- The car’s insurance group
- Your age – depending on the car and insurance provider, you may need to be at least 25 years old to get insurance
- The size and performance of the engine – American cars tend to be bigger and more powerful than their UK equivalents
- Cost of replacement parts – if your car is damaged, some components may need to be imported if they’re hard to find in the UK
- The car’s ability to conform to UK specifications.
You may want to look for a specialist provider that focuses specifically on imported American cars, although this can be a more expensive option.
Providers may also require an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test to make sure your car meets UK environmental and safety regulations.
What should I consider when insuring an American car?
If you own an older model, you could qualify for classic car insurance. This could actually save you money because classic cars are often driven less than regular cars and tend to be well looked after by their owners, so insurance providers see them as less risky.
If you’re planning to make an income from your American car – for example, hiring it out for weddings or exhibitions – you’ll need business car insurance.
It’s also a good idea to reach an agreed value with your provider. This is when you agree upfront how much your car is worth, then it’s insured for that amount. The agreed value of your car could be higher than its market value if you’ve put a lot of work and money into restoring it.
How can I reduce the cost of my American car insurance?
Keep in mind that the cheapest policy might not be the best American car insurance option for you. We’ll show you a range of quotes, from the cheapest to the most expensive, so make sure you check the details to see which best suits your needs.
To get cheaper imported car insurance, you could:
- Park securely – American cars are considered high-value targets for car theft.
- Be a safe and careful driver – building up your no-claims discount could reduce your premiums.
- Investigate whether you can remove any non-UK modifications, as these could increase the cost of your premium.
- Increase your excess – offering to pay more towards a claim could lower your premiums. Just make sure you can afford to pay both the voluntary and compulsory excess.
- Join a car club – insurance providers might offer you a discount if you’re a member of an accredited club for owners of American cars.
Where can I find great-value cover for an American car?
Right here at Compare the Market. While some insurance providers may be reluctant to quote for an American car, use our comparison service and we’ll show you which providers will offer you a policy.
Compare car insurance quotes with us to find the right policy for you.
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Alex Hasty - Insurance comparison and finance expert
At Comparethemarket, Alex has had roles as Commercial Associate Director, Director of Trading and Director of Growth. He’s currently responsible for the development and execution of Comparethemarket’s longer-term strategic options, ensuring the right breadth of products and services that meet customer needs.
Kate Hughes - Insurance and finance expert
As an award-winning journalist, author and broadcast commentator, Kate has been writing about personal finance for more than 20 years. She’s the former Money Editor for The Independent. Her work has appeared across the UK broadsheets as well as a number of international titles. Kate brings her financial expertise to inform her readers on ways to save money. She’s also written a book. ‘Going Zero: One Family’s Journey to Zero Waste and a Greener Lifestyle’ is available now.