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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.