Temporary Chassis Insurance for Unregistered Vehicles

To drive a vehicle on UK roads, it must be insured. However, getting insurance for an unregistered vehicle can be difficult because most insurers ask for a UK registration number before they provide a quote.

That’s where temporary chassis insurance, also known as VIN number insurance, can help.

Our 28-day Third Party Only Policy can support you while you get your vehicle registered in the UK. You may need this cover if you need to:

Provide proof of insurance to the DVLA
Drive the vehicle to a pre-booked appointment
Have work or inspections carried out
Make the vehicle UK compliant before registration

You may need to insure a vehicle using its chassis number or VIN number if it does not yet have a UK registration plate.

This is common if you are:

Importing a car from outside the UK

Returning to the UK with a vehicle you owned abroad

Building or registering a kit car

Waiting for DVLA registration to be completed

Asked by the DVLA to provide proof of insurance

Without a UK registration number, many insurers will not be able to provide a quote. Our temporary chassis number insurance gives you short-term cover while you complete the registration process.

As well as registering your car with its chassis number, you may also be required to have the car inspected to ensure it is roadworthy and meets UK emissions standards. This is called an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) inspection. It can take the form of a simple visual check or a more detailed mechanical check, depending on the car's background, and there is generally a cost involved. Remember, that once the vehicle has been registered and insured on its chassis number, you can only drive it for the purposes of gaining its full UK registration, for example to attend an approved centre to obtain an IVA, until the registration is complete.

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Yes, but only for specific purposes. Chassis insurance allows you to legally drive the vehicle to pre‑booked inspections (like an IVA), MOT stations, or to complete the UK registration process. Once the vehicle is fully registered with the DVLA, you’ll need a standard motor policy.

Chassis number insurance (also called VIN number insurance) is a specialist, temporary insurance policy that covers a vehicle using its chassis/VIN number instead of a UK registration plate. It’s used when a vehicle isn’t yet registered with the DVLA and therefore can’t get standard motor insurance.

You might need it if you’re:

Importing a car, and it has no UK registration number yet,
Bringing a vehicle back from abroad and need to register it here,
Building or assembling a kit car that’s not yet registered,
Required by the DVLA to show proof of insurance before registration can be completed.

Generally, you’ll need:

The vehicle’s chassis/VIN number (this is the unique identity code assigned at manufacture),
Proof of ownership or purchase, and
Your valid UK driving licence and ID/address evidence.

This lets an insurer assess the risk and quote for temporary cover.

Yes, absolutely. We specialise in insuring vehicles registered on chassis numbers, including kit cars, self-builds, and Q-plate vehicles. Our policies are designed specifically for these unique situations. With over 40 years of experience in this specialist market, we understand the nuances and can provide comprehensive cover tailored to chassis number vehicles.

You can get an instant online quote in under 60 seconds. Once approved, many policies can start the same day, often within hours of application. Our streamlined process means less waiting and more time enjoying your vehicle. For complex builds, our specialists can provide quotes over the phone typically within 24 hours.