Temporary insurance for imported vehicles: a practical guide to driving legally

Imported vehicle? Take out temporary insurance for the transit or registration period (1 to 90 days), require minimum liability coverage, check the guarantees and choose a formula tailored to your use with KT Tempo.

Have you bought or imported a vehicle from abroad, or do you want to bring one back to France or the EU? Before final registration, you must insure it. One solution: temporary insurance. Flexible, quick, and adapted to this transitional phase—this article explains why you should take out temporary insurance, what steps to follow, what risks to anticipate, and how to choose the right policy.

Why opt for temporary insurance when importing?

• When importing a vehicle, it is not yet registered in France : it may have foreign plates or a temporary registration (WW). In this case, standard insurance coverage may not apply.
• The approval, technical inspection, customs, and registration processes can take time: during this period, taking out a long-term insurance policy is often disproportionate. Short-term insurance legally covers this period.
• For transport, repatriation or pre-purchase testing, temporary insurance allows you to drive legally without an annual commitment.

Steps to follow to insure a temporarily imported vehicle

1. Identify the vehicle's status

• Existing or temporary foreign license plates “WW”.
• Intended use (transport, transit, testing, personal use).

Final destination (French registration or temporary use).

2. Choose the appropriate duration

• During registration/homologation (days, weeks, sometimes up to 90 days).
• During transport to your garage or home.

3. Verify that the intended use and area are covered

• Some contracts require that the vehicle be based in or retain a French registration afterwards.
• The vehicle must be insured from the start of its registration in France.

4. Provide the necessary documents

• Foreign or temporary registration certificate.
• Proof of purchase/import.
• Valid driver's license.
• State the intended use and duration.

5. Take out temporary insurance

• Online, in just a few minutes.
• Receive the certificate immediately to drive legally.
• Plan for the transition to an annual contract or registration at the end of the period.

Essential guarantees and risks to anticipate

Guarantees to include

• Civil liability (RC) : the legal minimum for driving.
• Defense and recourse : useful in case of a dispute over an import.
• Possible options: theft, fire, towing, transport.

Specific risks

• Vehicles registered abroad without French registration: some insurers even refuse traditional contracts.
• Period of inactivity or poor transport conditions: vehicle exposed to damage.
• Failure to complete the approval within the deadlines: loss of coverage or surcharge.

Parts to watch out for

• Check that the insurance period starts before or as soon as the vehicle leaves for circulation in France.
• Make sure the certificate states "imported vehicle/provisional registration" or equivalent detail to avoid refusal.

Tips to optimize this coverage

• Choose the exact duration you need : avoid paying for unnecessary days or being insured for too long.
• Compare several quotes: prices may vary depending on the model, registration, and use.
• Inform your insurer of the status "imported" or "provisional registration": they will adapt the conditions.
• Prepare for the transition to French registration and an annual contract if needed.
• Keep all import, homologation and registration documents: they may be requested in the event of an accident.

Conclusion

Importing or repatriating a vehicle can seem complex, including from an insurance perspective. But with the right approach—appropriate duration, clear usage, and targeted coverage—temporary insurance emerges as a simple and effective solution. For this transitional period, KT Tempo offers flexible, fast coverage designed specifically for import needs.