Temporary insurance for the temporary importation of an electric vehicle: what you need to know

Temporary insurance for the temporary importation of an electric vehicle: what you need to know

Temporarily importing an electric vehicle? Take out suitable temporary insurance (1-90 days) covering battery, temporary license plate, and transit. KT Tempo is here to help.

Are you importing an electric vehicle or bringing one back from abroad, or planning to drive in France temporarily—before final registration or during transit? In this context, temporary insurance seems like the ideal solution: short duration, tailored coverage, and flexible terms. However, the lack of French registration, battery specifics, or temporary use increase the requirements. Here's what you need to check to insure your temporarily imported EV, and why KT Tempo is a relevant solution.

1. Why is temporary insurance required when temporarily importing an EV?

  • When importing or arriving from abroad, an electric vehicle may be driven with foreign or "temporary WW" license plates. Without a French registration yet in place, standard insurance coverage often does not apply.
  • While waiting for homologation, the certificate of conformity, the French registration document, or the tax clearance certificate, you need to be able to drive legally. Temporary insurance for 1 to 90 days is the most suitable solution.
  • Furthermore, imported electric vehicles have specific characteristics: battery, high-voltage components, charging accessories, which require specific guarantees.

2. Key steps and formalities to anticipate

a) Check the vehicle status

  • Vehicle imported from the EU or outside the EU: sales document, invoice, certificate of conformity or manufacturer's certificate.
  • Foreign plates or temporary "WW" registration: often used for transit or while waiting for registration.

b) Choose the appropriate duration

  • Temporary insurance is provided for a period generally ranging from 1 to 90 days.
  • Determine the duration based on: transport, registration, occasional use.

c) Declare the exact use

  • Use in transit, limited personal use, importation, use prior to final registration.

d) Documents to be provided

  • Foreign registration document or original registration certificate.
  • Certificate of conformity or equivalent.
  • Permit, proof of identity, use and duration.

e) Subscription to temporary insurance

  • Compare offers suitable for imports and EVs.
  • Obtain the insurance certificate before driving.

3. Essential guarantees & specifics for a temporarily imported EV

Civil liability insurance (mandatory)

Covers damage caused to third parties — legal minimum for any motor vehicle.

Battery & Electrical Equipment Warranty

  • Expensive battery: make sure it is covered in case of theft, fire or accident.
  • Charging accessories, cable, terminal: if used, provide cover.

Property damage and theft/fire

Temporary use and importation increase certain risks (transport, operation, non-standard use).

Assistance & towing

Effective assistance is a plus in case of battery failure or temporary registration.

Insurance conversion after registration

Once you have obtained the French registration certificate, consider switching to a standard contract adapted for EVs.

4. Practical tips to optimize this coverage

  1. Choose the exact duration you need and don't pay for unused days.
  2. Inform your insurer that the vehicle is an imported electric vehicle and that it will be driven under a temporary or foreign registration.
  3. Prepare the file carefully: importing an EV = additional checks.
  4. Check that the coverage applies from the moment the vehicle enters circulation in France (transit, road, port).
  5. After final registration, adapt your contract to the "French electric vehicle" profile.

5. Why choose KT Tempo for this context?

  • Formulas specifically designed for imported vehicles and temporary uses (1 to 90 days).
  • Adaptation to EV specificities: battery, charging station, transient use.
  • Quick online registration , immediate certificate to be able to drive.
  • Transparent pricing based on duration, usage, and vehicle type.

Conclusion

Importing, repatriating, or temporarily using an electric vehicle with provisional registration can be stressful if your insurance isn't tailored to your needs. Temporary insurance is your ally during this transitional phase: short duration, clear usage, and targeted coverage. With KT Tempo, you benefit from a flexible plan adapted to this type of situation, allowing you to drive legally and with peace of mind.

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