RetireJapan

I know that this is a very specific question, but maybe there is someone that knows a thing or two about it.

My car is a national 1988 diesel pickup with a 4 number plate (4ナンバー), very reliable and relatively cheap to maintain (47,600 yen per year on taxes and user shaken). However, the insurance is a completely different story.
I’m 26 years old, only converted the international license to the Japanese one last year so only have the green japanese license. That plus the fact that is an older car with a 4 number plate, costs me around 12,500 yen per month on insurance with SBI損保 (Sonpo). The worst part is that even paying that kind of money, the insurance is only for the 3rd party and won’t cover my car if I get in an accident. Even if I try to select that option, it says my car isn’t eligible due to the age and plate.

Anyone in a similar situation that knows a cheaper insurance for older cars, or at least one that will cover my truck and not only the 3rd party? Unfortunately swapping cars isn’t an option, way too attached to it

pfdsa wrote: ↑Wed May 26, 2021 11:45 pm
I’m 26 years old

Your car isn't the problem, you are.
I use SBI, I drive a BMW valued around 3.6 million yen and pay a lot less than you. I am also double your age
Your car is irrelevant, the other person you will potentially kill is very much so.

Jake wrote: ↑Thu May 27, 2021 2:38 am

pfdsa wrote: ↑Wed May 26, 2021 11:45 pm
I’m 26 years old

Your car isn't the problem, you are.
I use SBI, I drive a BMW valued around 3.6 million yen and pay a lot less than you. I am also double your age
Your car is irrelevant, the other person you will potentially kill is very much so.

That seems a bit unnecessarily rude....

Insurance tends to drop in price with age in Japan. I believe my coverage on my previous car dropped in my Mid-20`s?

What is the value of the vehicle if you do not mind me asking?

Insurance gets cheaper the longer you have it without making a claim. Some policies are cheaper with a gold driving license. The most important thing is to have unlimited cover for third parties.

Sounds like pfdsa's vehicle doesn't have any value, which is why it is uninsurable. Might be best to start saving for a replacement vehicle (self-insure).

Kanto wrote: ↑Thu May 27, 2021 2:46 am

That seems a bit unnecessarily rude....

Don't like facts eh?

The value of the drivers car is only relevant when theft is involved, in this case .... not much.
Now, young relatively inexperienced driver, crashes into a 10 million yen Ferrari, do the math.
I don't want to pay for it, and I suspect neither do you

Jake wrote: ↑Thu May 27, 2021 3:58 am The value of the drivers car is only relevant when theft is involved, in this case .... not much.

The value of the driver's car matters when they get 車両保険 (insurance that covers their own vehicle as well as third parties).

And please reread this: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1175

RetireJapan wrote: ↑Thu May 27, 2021 4:10 am

Jake wrote: ↑Thu May 27, 2021 3:58 am The value of the drivers car is only relevant when theft is involved, in this case .... not much.

The value of the driver's car matters when they get 車両保険 (insurance that covers their own vehicle as well as third parties).

And please reread this: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=1175

My post was factual, as of my experience. Anyone without 車両保険 should use public transport.

I rather hoped that wokism had escaped Japan, maybe not.

Jake wrote: ↑Thu May 27, 2021 4:21 am My post was factual, as of my experience. Anyone without 車両保険 should use public transport.

I rather hoped that wokism had escaped Japan, maybe not.

I have no idea what wokism is, but it is very important to me that this forum be civil, friendly, and helpful. The link to the rules was supposed to be a friendly warning, but I guess it didn't work.

I hesitated to delete Jake, as they have contributed to the forum, but at the end of the day this kind of snarky participation is not welcome here.

RetireJapan wrote: ↑Thu May 27, 2021 4:10 am
The value of the drivers car is only relevant when theft is involved, in this case .... not much.


The value of the driver's car matters when they get 車両保険 (insurance that covers their own vehicle as well as third parties).

I would imagine there are plenty of people out there with valuable classic cars that have comprehensive insurance that covers replacement plus damage to others. Parts may be hard to come by, so that is a factor. That said, it will be expensive, especially for someone under 35, and getting an accepted valuation might require a trip to a specialist.

You might be able to get a lower rate if you can convince them you only drive a limited distance, but still, with only one year of driving in Japan under your belt, it will be high.

When we bought our car new for 1.9 million we also got comprehensive (I seem to remember ¥50,000/yr). Now, 9 years later, that the resale value is down to 500,000 if we are lucky, so we're back to the non-comprehensive (and paying about ¥30,000/yr).

Looks like the info you need is here:

https://www.chubb.com/jp-jp/individuals ... c-car.html