Q1. What type of insurance does Japan Insurance offer?
At Japan Insurance we offer AIU's optional automobile insurance which is an addition to the personal liability insurance which is a compulsory insurance legally required for all cars. The services offered by Japan Insurance were created in English specifically to help the foreign community living in Japan.
Q2. What is the application process to get insurance?
There are two ways to apply for insurance with JI. The first is to call our agent and request a quote. The second is to complete the application form contained in the estimates section of this site.
In both cases, you can request a quote once it is clear which car is to be insured. We will turn your request around within the same day if received during normal business hours, or the next business day if received outside business hours. To complete the process once you have received the quote, simply check the details one final time, sign the document and deposit the necessary fees.
Typical Insurance Flow
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| Vehicle Owner: | Quote Request
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| Japan Insurance: | Response (same business day or next business day) Each quote contains 3 samples from which to choose
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| Vehicle Owner: | Choose the coverage that best suits your needs
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| Japan Insurance: | English contract is hand delivered* (or posted)
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| Vehicle Owner: | Sign the documentation and deposit the insurance fee
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| Japan Insurance: | Coverage commences. Policy document and emergency card are sent.
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| *Our agents can meet you in person in order to explain the details of insurance coverage and answer any of your questions. If this is not required we can also post the policy to you.
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Q3. When will my insurance policy begin?
Once we have received your request for a quote, the whole insurance process can be turned around as quickly as the same day.
Q4. After the contract is signed, when will I receive the contract document?
After signing the contract it takes approximately 2 weeks to receive the English policy. However, if any corrections are needed, it may take a few extra days. This will not affect your insurance coverage.
Q5. Does Japan Insurance offer discounts?
Under regulations in Japan governing automobile insurance, all drivers are given a ranking of between 1 and 20. New contracts start at a rating of 6, which is the standard rating allocated to drivers who have no previous driving experience in Japan (or have allowed their insurance policies to lapse). With each accident-free year the driver's rank improves by one, and for each accident the ranking falls by three. With a rating of 20, the discount offered is equivalent to 65% of the standard policy amount. With a rating of 1, the insurance premium is given a 'loading' of up to 60%.
Q6. My car isn’t listed in the 3-Step Quick Quotes. Can it be insured?
Yes, cars other than the ones listed in our 3-Step Quick Quote can be insured. The 3-Step Quick Quote section is intended to give an indication of the average fees for a cross-section of popular vehicles. For a quote specific to your vehicle, please request a full quote from the estimate section or give our bilingual consultants a call.
Q7. How do I pay for the policy?
Choose from: bank deposit, bank transfer, and credit card. You can also pay cash direct to our consultant.
Q8. What documents do I need to prepare in order to get insurance?
If you are applying for insurance for the first time in Japan, you will need originals or copies of the Shaken registration documents, your license (Japanese, or international). If you are currently covered under another company’s insurance policy and wish to change to AIU, please have the current policy at hand.
Q9. What’s the difference between the Premier, Personal and Biz insurance policies?
Personal is tailored for individual drivers, while Biz is designed for corporate clients. Premier is ideal for drivers looking for a broader range of coverage, and is for both individual and corporate clients.
Q10. Can I cancel my policy in the middle of the period?
Yes, you can. In addition, a refund will be calculated for you depending on the amount of time remaining under the contract.
Q11. What do I have to do if I’m involved in an accident?
First, and most important, ensure that any injured people and / or the vehicle is moved into a safe place. Then, be sure to contact the police. If the accident involves another party, let them know that you will deal with the accident through your insurance company. Once you have done these things you may contact your insurance company (or Japan Insurance, if you are a Japan Insurance customer). For more information, please look at the 'Driving in Japan' page within this website.
Q12. What makes insurance premiums cheaper / more expensive?
AIU calculates insurance premiums based upon a variety of conditions, including: the type of vehicle, the age of the driver, the insurance history, and the level of coverage offered in the policy. If the likelihood of a claim is comparatively high, for example on a car that is often the target of theft, sports cars or luxury cars, young drivers, etc., then the premiums will naturally be higher. On the other hand, vehicles with a typically lower number of accidents, compact cars such as Japan’s Kei class of vehicles, older drivers and drivers with a Gold license, are offered cheaper insurance premiums.
Q13. What are ‘loading’ and ‘discounts’?
Please see question 5 for details.
Q14. Are there any organizations that give road information in English?
Japan Auto Federation (JAF) offers some English services (including an official Japanese translation of most foreign driver's licences). If your car breaks down, however, please note that the repair service or toe-truck service may not speak English. Unfortunately there are very few companies in Japan offering English language break down and repair services, but you are welcome to contact Japan Insurance during business hours so that one of our consultants can translate.
Q15. What should I do if I want to sell my car in the middle of the insurance policy period?
It is not possible to transfer an insurance policy to anyone other than a member of your direct family. Therefore, if you sell your car during the policy period to someone other than a family member, the policy must be cancelled. When cancelling a policy, we will refund any remaining fees to you, based on a monthly schedule. If you are selling your car to a friend or colleague who requires car insurance services, we would be delighted to be of service. Please contact a consultant for more details.
Q16. What should I do if I change my address during the term of the insurance policy?
You should inform Japan Insurance as soon as possible if any of your details change. These can include the age of drivers, purchasing a new car (i.e. trading in the insured vehicle), etc. If you neglect to update your details, your claim may become invalid in the case of an accident.
Q17. How can I renew my insurance at the end of the period?
Approximately one month prior to the end of the insurance period, we will send you a reminder, giving you information about how to renew your policy. If you know that you will be out of the country for an extended period and may not be able to receive the renewal documents, we can handle renewals up to three months in advance. Please contact a JI consultant for more details.
Q18. I have a long driving history. Why can’t I get a discount in Japan?
Due to the world's many different traffic laws and customs, the fees for automobile insurance in Japan are based primarily on driving experience and previous length of ongoing insurance in Japan. As a result, no matter how long you may have driven overseas, newcomers to Japan must generally start from a basic rating of '6', which is the industry standard. As in other countries, however, more mature drivers receive lower premiums that their younger counterparts.
Please note, however, that a special clause does exist to allow for a discount under the following conditions: In order to be eligible for a premium discount, the person applying for insurance in Japan must have held car insurance in the country of origin up to the time of departure, and they must also provide evidence (e.g. a letter from their insurer) that shows they have had no accidents within the last five years.
Please also remember that the premiums offered by JI are the same prices offered to Japanese speaking customers. There is no surcharge for our English service. For more details, please contact our consultants.
Q19. If I change to Japan Insurance from another insurance agent, will my discount rating count?
Yes, it will, as long as you don't let your policy lapse for more than 7 days. If there is a gap of longer than seven days, the discount rating will revert to the standard level '6', and you will lose any long-term discount rating that had built up.
Q20. Can I insure my motorcycle through Japan Insurance?
Yes, we also insure motorcycles and other vehicles. For more details please contact one of our consultants.
