I recently purchased 2019 Nissan X-Trail Hybrid from Japan (delivery due in December).
I have been scanning all insurance sites, but none is accepting Japanese car model number. Has anyone had experience buying insurance in NSW for car purchased overseas?
Thanks
Your usual run of the mill insurance won't cover imports like Woodg said Shannons or Youi etc most likely would buy expect to pay more
Youi is a total scam, they quote 3x for a normal insurance quote So i have no hope for the imported car. I will try Shannons
The first time I called Shannons to insure an import, they wouldn't give me a quote, as I wasn't a "car enthusiast".
The second time I called a few days later, they did give me a quote. I can't remember what I said differently…
I've been with them for years now, and am a very happy customer.
Welcome to the world of grey imports. Where what seems like a good deal has a bunch of headaches.
Either ring the majors because they aren’t set up to deal with ‘out of the box’ online, or try the specialists
Why did you get a Nissan Xtrail Hybrid from Japan?
Usually people take this route to get particular models not available in Australia and are ready to deal with the hassles of spare parts and insurance etc.
However Nissan Xtrail Hybrid is available in Australia.
Whats the rationale?
It wasn’t available in 2019. So a cheaper hybrid because not new.
However Nissan Xtrail Hybrid is available in Australia.
Then you can't import it if available in oz…. You're only allowed to import models/versions that are not sold here ;)
So guessing it was an older one from before the hybrid was sold here.
I was able to import. It is 2019 model with much more feature vs AU model with only 35k on clock. I only paid $22k inc shipping, duty and 1 year rego.
I needed a family car, cheaper on fuel for 2 years with good resale value. I am moving out of AU in 2025.
I paid $22k inc shipping and 1 year rego for 2019 model with 35K on clock.
I can't get that value in AU. Thanks to Japan's new car laws ( they have to change cars every 5-7 years).
I can't get that value in AU
Fuel savings eviscerated by having to pay inflated insurance
but non is accepting Japanese car model number
Your grey import model is not officially sold here, so are not in the standard insurance systems.
As others have said, you need to go to a more speciality insurance broker.
Get a quote for self insuring.
RACV and Shannons are the only options in Victoria. I think NRMA insures imports in NSW.
Suggest calling NRMA, surprisingly they cover some of the Japanese imports.
Do a search on insuring an import here on OzB. Been discussed quite a few times. Shannons might be your best bet (I went through them for one of my imports) but there might be other brokers by now. Servicing and spare parts will be another issue you'll need to look into.
Thanks, Will check it out.
Servicing and spare parts will be another issue you'll need to look into.
When the mechanic can’t work out what part is needed because ‘not in the system’ it can get very frustrating. Plus you’ll be scratching your head at any parts store because things are just different enough to the local models that you cannot for love of trying find what you need.
What company did you use to import this car OP?
Try RACV. I was able to obtain insurance for a imported Toyota Hiace. You will need to call RACV.
thanks, if you dont mind sharing how much did you end up paying?
Similar to the amount of a non-imported Hiace of the same year.
So the process was to quote a a similar vehicle with the same year. Email RACV with a photo or the VIN, compliance plate and the car. RACV will the update the policy with the new VIN.
thanks
You could try Shannons Insurance. They seem to specialise in unusual/uncommon vehicles.