When I helped my dad insure his '95 Carry in Chesapeake, I called four companies in one afternoon. Three couldn't find it in their system. One asked if it was a motorcycle. Here's what the data says about what actually works.
The problem
Most insurers can't handle imported, right-hand-drive vehicles with non-standard VINs. You'll hear "we can't find that vehicle," "we don't cover imports," or "that VIN format isn't valid." These are solvable problems — but you need to know which companies to call.
Insurer comparison
Specialty/collector insurers are the easiest path. They understand non-standard vehicles and offer agreed value policies — meaning you and the insurer set the truck's value upfront. If it's totaled, you get that amount. Standard policies use "actual cash value," which depreciates and typically undervalues imports.
| Insurer | Type | Agreed Value | Mileage Limits | Covers Mods | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hagerty | Collector | Yes | Yes — limited use | Yes | Largest collector insurer. Easiest for kei trucks. |
| Grundy | Collector | Yes | No limits on many policies | Yes | No mileage restrictions is the key advantage. |
| American Collectors | Collector | Yes | Flexible | Yes | Covers vehicles 15+ years old. |
| State Farm | Standard | No | No | Varies | Agent-dependent. One Richmond agent said no, another said yes — same zip code. |
| Progressive | Standard | No | No | Varies | Can usually find the vehicle in their system with the Japanese chassis number. |
| Farmers | Standard | No | No | Varies | Varies by agent and state. |
| USAA | Standard | No | No | Varies | Members only. Typically covers imports. |
| Farm Bureau | Farm/commercial | Varies | N/A | Varies | Best for farm-use kei trucks. Many state offices insure them as equipment. |
Agent matters more than company. I called two State Farm agents in Richmond — one said "absolutely not" and the other said "sure, I've done three this year." If one agent says no, try another office.
What coverage costs
| Coverage Level | Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Liability only | $150–$300 |
| Liability + comprehensive | $250–$450 |
| Full coverage (liability + comp + collision) | $350–$600 |
| Collector/agreed value policy | $200–$400 |
Collector policies are often cheaper than standard auto because insurers assume limited mileage and careful ownership. The math favors specialty coverage.
What coverage you need
If your truck is street legal: Liability (required by law), uninsured/underinsured motorist, and ideally comprehensive and collision with agreed value. Theft is real — kei trucks are easy to steal and getting more valuable.
If it's off-road only: Property damage liability and equipment coverage. Cheaper, but no road coverage.
How to get insured — the process
Have your chassis number ready (Japanese format: DD51T-123456 for Suzuki, HA3-1234567 for Honda). Have photos of the truck and your import paperwork. Be clear about usage — daily driver, weekend, farm only, or off-road. This dramatically affects pricing.
Get multiple quotes. I've seen the same truck quoted at $180/year and $740/year by different companies. The spread is extreme for imports.
If you're hitting walls: try a specialty broker who handles exotic/import vehicles. They can shop across carriers you wouldn't find on your own. You can also start with liability only — it's the easiest coverage to get — and add comprehensive later.
What to do next
- Check your state's regulations — insurance availability correlates with legal status
- Calculate your total import costs — factor insurance into your budget
- Browse the dealer directory — some dealers help with insurance referrals