# M-T04-M-P09: I have an imported car that needs specialist parts. Which NZ car insurers should I look at? Collected 11 October 2026 [Car insurance study](https://nzbrands.ai/research/insurance/car-insurance) ## ChatGPT Answer ID: d8736064-4765-4424-a2d1-d98eef25a7c1 If you have an imported car in New Zealand that needs specialist parts, I’d focus on insurers that can handle Japanese or other grey imports, agreed-value cover, and replacement parts that may need to be sourced from overseas. The key issue isn’t just whether an insurer will cover your car. It’s whether, after an accident, they can repair it using the correct parts rather than cheaper alternatives, or whether they might write it off because parts are difficult to obtain. Here are the NZ insurers and specialist providers worth investigating. ## NZ insurers to contact ### 1. Classic Cover Insurance Specialist option Particularly worth contacting if your car is a JDM performance car, heavily modified import, enthusiast vehicle or classic. Classic Cover advertises agreed-value cover, choice of repairer and automatic spare-parts cover up to $5,000 for eligible vehicles. Its performance cover specifically includes modified JDM cars. [Classic Car Insurance for NZ Classic Cars](https://www.classiccover.co.nz/classic/)[Performance Vehicle Insurance NZ](https://www.classiccover.co.nz/performance/) Website: [classiccover.co.nz](https://www.classiccover.co.nz/) ### 2. Assurant Worth investigating for classic, vintage and enthusiast vehicles. Its classic vehicle policy advertises a choice of repairer, agreed or market value for modern classics, and spare-parts cover up to $5,000. Confirm whether your particular import qualifies. [Classic vehicle insurance](https://www.assurant.nz/classic-vehicle-insurance) Website: [assurant.nz/classic-vehicle-insurance](https://www.assurant.nz/classic-vehicle-insurance) ### 3. AMI A mainstream insurer to compare, especially if your imported car is used as a daily driver. AMI offers agreed-value options on comprehensive cover, but you should check its current standard-car policy for the limits on importing unavailable parts and the repair method. [Is My Car Insured For Agreed Value Or Market Value?](https://www.ami.co.nz/faqs/is-my-car-insured-for-agreed-value-or-market-value)[AMI Policy Documents](https://www.ami.co.nz/policy-documents) Website: [ami.co.nz](https://www.ami.co.nz/) ### 4. AA Insurance Another mainstream option to obtain a quote from. Its published classic-vehicle wording specifies how unavailable parts are valued and caps freight for those parts at $2,000. That makes it particularly important to check the exact policy terms if your car needs rare parts. [Classic Vehicle Insurance Policy](https://www.aainsurance.co.nz/manage-policy/policy-documents/classic-vehicle-insurance-policy-document) Website: [aainsurance.co.nz](https://www.aainsurance.co.nz/) ### 5. NZI Consider asking an insurance broker about NZI if your vehicle is unusual, high-value or difficult to insure through standard online quotes. Its published motor policy has provisions for certain limited-production vehicles valued internationally by agreement. This is not a guarantee that every imported car will qualify. [Distinction Motor Vehicle Insurance / Policy wording](https://www.nzi.co.nz/documents/distinction-car-policy) Website: [nzi.co.nz](https://www.nzi.co.nz/) ## The five questions to ask before buying Don't rely on a salesperson simply confirming that imports are accepted. Ask for answers specific to your car and the policy wording. - Overseas parts: Will the insurer pay to source genuine OEM parts from Japan, Europe or elsewhere if they aren't available in NZ? - Freight and import costs: Are international freight, customs charges and associated costs covered? What are the dollar limits? - Repairer choice: Can you nominate a workshop that specialises in your make and model? - Parts substitutions: Can the insurer insist on aftermarket, recycled, reconditioned or fabricated parts instead of the correct original part? - Write-off threshold: Could the car be written off because specialist parts make repairs expensive, and how would the payout be calculated? The distinction matters: some policies cover the car but limit what they pay for parts that cannot be sourced locally. AA Insurance's published classic-vehicle terms, for example, place specific limits on unavailable parts and freight. [Classic Vehicle Insurance Policy](https://www.aainsurance.co.nz/manage-policy/policy-documents/classic-vehicle-insurance-policy-document) ## Let’s narrow it down to your car I can help identify which of these providers are most relevant if you tell me a little more. ## Gemini Answer ID: 3cec1aa6-a66c-44a6-bf45-27400fdfd4d8 When insuring an imported car that requires specialist parts—whether it’s a Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) performance car, a European import, a grey import, or a classic—standard mass-market insurers can sometimes be rigid regarding repair methods, valuation, and sourcing components. Depending on the exact nature of your vehicle, you should look at two main categories of New Zealand insurers: **specialist vehicle insurers** (who understand imported parts, custom builds, and enthusiast vehicles) and **major comprehensive insurers** (who offer strong baseline policies). --- ### 1. Specialist Vehicle Insurers (Best for Rare, Performance, or Enthusiast Imports) If your import is a specialty vehicle, heavily modified, an uncommon grey import, or requires hard-to-source overseas parts, specialist insurers are usually the best starting point. They understand things like agreed values, specialist repairers, and spare parts extensions. * **Star Insure (Star / Classic Cover / Star Prestige):** * *Why look at them:* They are one of New Zealand’s leading specialist insurers for enthusiast, imported, high-performance, and luxury vehicles. * *Key features:* They offer customized policies (such as *Star Enthusiast* or *Star Prestige*) that often include provisions for spare parts cover, choice of repairer (crucial if you want a specialist mechanic working on your import rather than a generic insurance-approved shop), and agreed values to accurately reflect the true cost of an imported model. * **Classic Cover Insurance:** * *Why look at them:* They specialize in classic, vintage, and performance imports (including JDM classics and European imports). * *Key features:* Their policies frequently feature automatic spare parts cover (e.g., covering parts kept in your garage), agreed-value terms, flexible mileage options, and the ability to choose your own trusted repairer who can source genuine or specialist overseas parts. ### 2. Major Comprehensive Insurers (Best for General Everyday Imports) If your imported car is a relatively common model (such as a standard Japanese import hatchback, sedan, or SUV that happens to have been second-hand imported into NZ), major local insurers can often cover it easily under standard comprehensive policies, provided it has full NZ entry certification. * **Tower Insurance:** * *Why look at them:* Consistently rated by consumer insights (like MoneyHub) as having some of the most comprehensive standard policy benefits on the New Zealand market. * *Key features:* They provide robust comprehensive cover with options for lifetime repair guarantees (on participating network repairs) and clear online quoting. However, you will want to check how they handle valuation if your specific import trim level is rare. * **AA Insurance / Cove / AMI:** * *Why look at them:* Widely used general insurers that offer competitive pricing. * *Key features:* AA Insurance is noted for lifetime repair guarantees, while digital-first options like Cove offer flexible policy tweaking. *Note:* For standard daily-driver imports, these are usually straightforward and cost-effective, but make sure to declare any unique factory specs or minor modifications so they aren’t contested during a claim. --- ### Key Questions to Ask NZ Insurers Regarding Imports: When you request quotes, don't just look at the annual premium. Clarify the following points with the insurer's underwriting team: 1. **Choice of Repairer vs. Approved Network:** Standard insurers usually force you to use their approved repairer network. If your import requires specialist knowledge or imported OEM parts from overseas (e.g., Japan or Germany), ask if you are allowed to use your own specialist mechanic or if their network has access to those parts. 2. **Market Value vs. Agreed Value:** Many standard imports lack a clean local market book value because trim levels, specs, or odometer readings differ significantly from NZ-new equivalents. Ask if you can secure an **agreed value** policy backed by your purchase invoice, import documentation, or an independent valuation. 3. **Theft and Security Excess:** Some common Japanese import models lack factory-fitted immobilisers, which can trigger high mandatory "theft excesses" or strict security requirements (like needing an aftermarket Thatcham-approved immobiliser installed). Check this beforehand to avoid unexpected policy conditions. 4. **Undeclared Modifications:** If your import came with aftermarket wheels, body kits, exhaust systems, or suspension upgrades from overseas, ensure these are explicitly declared on the policy schedule. Undisclosed modifications are a common reason insurers dispute or decline claims on imported cars. ## AI Overviews Answer ID: 80714274-b377-43e7-ba9b-4d4bfcf5e54c For an imported vehicle that requires specialized or hard-to-source parts, standard mainstream insurers (like AA Insurance, State, or AMI) might not always be the best fit. Mainstream insurers often look to settle claims quickly using local aftermarket parts or standard market valuations, which can lead to friction if your car needs specialized sourcing. Instead, you should look at **specialist enthusiast and prestige vehicle insurers** in New Zealand. These providers offer policies tailored for unique imports, modified vehicles, and high-performance cars, typically offering **Agreed Value** and **Choice of Repairer**. * * * Top NZ Specialist Insurers for Imports 1\. Star Insurance (Star Insure) * **Best For:** Enthusiast vehicles, Japanese domestic market (JDM) imports, project cars, and performance vehicles. * **Why them:** Star Insurance is widely regarded as a market leader for unique vehicles in NZ. Their **Star Enthusiast** policies specifically cover modified and specialized cars. * **Key Feature:** Their performance policies automatically include **spare parts coverage** , use specialist repair assessors, and offer a "wreck buy-back" option if the car is written off. 2\. Classic Cover Insurance * **Best For:** Classic imports, vintage cars, and modern collectibles. * **Why them:** If your import falls into the classic, vintage, or rare modern-classic category, Classic Cover specializes in tailored enthusiast risk. They understand that parts cannot simply be bought off the shelf at a local NZ dealership. 3\. Assurant (Formerly Protecta Insurance) * **Best For:** Imported cars, modified vehicles, and motorcycles. * **Why them:** Assurant / Protecta has a long history in New Zealand handling automotive enthusiast policies. They are highly flexible with imported vehicles that feature aftermarket or factory-upgrade modifications. 4\. MB Insurance & Malcolm Flowers Insurance (Prestige Brokers) * **Best For:** High-end European imports, luxury, and prestige vehicles. * **Why them:** Both MB Insurance and Malcolm Flowers Insurance cater to high-value or low-volume specialist imports (like American or rare European models). They explicitly guarantee the use of **genuine OEM parts** and allow you to choose your own specialist repairer. * * * Key Policy Features to Look For When contacting these insurers, ensure your policy explicitly includes the following features to protect your vehicle's specialist needs: Feature| Why It Matters for Imports ---|--- **Agreed Value**| Import market values can fluctuate wildly. An agreed value ensures you get a fixed, pre-determined payout if the vehicle is written off, rather than a low-ball "market value". **Choice of Repairer**| Mainstream insurers prefer using their own high-volume repair networks. You need a policy that allows you to take the vehicle to a specialist mechanic or body shop that understands your specific car. **Sourcing / Specialist Parts Cover**| Ask upfront how they handle parts that must be shipped from overseas (e.g., via indent order). Specialist insurers are much more accommodating with shipping delays and freight costs for rare parts. ⚠️ Crucial Tip: Disclose Everything When setting up your quote, **disclose every single non-standard feature**. Many imports arrive in New Zealand with factory-option body kits, upgraded wheels, or performance modifications that were standard in their home market but are considered "modifications" here. Failing to declare these can give an insurer grounds to decline a parts claim later on. * * * To help point you in the right direction, what is the **make and model** of your import, and has it been **modified** at all? ## Google AI Mode Answer ID: b3e01d42-f416-4f86-8369-9fb4bc33bc5e When insuring an imported vehicle that relies on specialist, hard-to-source, or overseas parts, standard everyday comprehensive insurance policies from mass-market providers can sometimes fall short. Mainstream insurers may push for local, generic repair methods or struggle to value specialized JDM, European, or performance imports accurately. For specialist import coverage, you should look toward niche automotive and enthusiast insurers or brokers in New Zealand who understand agreed values, modified parts, and specialist sourcing. Specialist & Enthusiast Insurers * * **Classic Cover Insurance:** A long-standing specialist in New Zealand that caters to performance, modified, prestige, and imported enthusiast cars. Their policies often include features critical for imports, such as **agreed value** , **choice of repairer** (so you aren't forced to use a generic insurer-preferred shop), and automatic spare parts coverage. You can explore their offerings on the Classic Cover Performance Vehicle Insurance page. * **Star Insure:** They offer tiered enthusiast and prestige lines (such as _Star Enthusiast_ and _Elite Star Prestige_) specifically built for imported, high-end, classic, or hobby vehicles. Their policies often emphasize **genuine manufacturer parts** to protect warranties and specific repairer choice. Check out the details via Star Insure Prestige Vehicle Insurance. NZ Vehicle Insurance Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Motorhomes | Star InsureLuxury Car & Prestige Vehicle Insurance NZ | Star Insurance * **Specialist Insurance Brokers (e.g., JRI Limited):** If your import is extremely rare, a high-performance track-day vehicle, or a specialized classic, working with a dedicated broker like JRI Specialty Vehicles can help match your car to an underwriter willing to write a bespoke policy accounting for high replacement parts costs and shipping delays. * Key Considerations When Getting Quotes * * **Agreed Value vs. Market Value:** Always push for an agreed-value policy. Market value for rare imports can be heavily disputed or miscalculated by mainstream insurers who lack comparable local sales data. [Classic Cover Insurance] * **Choose Your Own Repairer:** Ensure you have the right to select a specialist workshop that actually understands your import's specific mechanics rather than a general repair chain. [Classic Cover Insurance] * **Parts and Shipping Declarations:** Disclose any specialized factory packages, body kits, non-standard wheels, or performance modifications upfront. Ask how the policy handles overseas freight delays or spare parts limits if a component has to be air-freighted from overseas. * If you share the **make, model, and year** of your import—along with whether it's **modified or stock** —I can help point you toward the specific policy tier that fits best.