How To Get Car Insurance In South Korea?

Vehicle insurance is needed in Korea for all automobiles. At all times, proof of insurance must be carried.

Car Insurance

  • The minimum legal requirement for drivers is third-party liability insurance (Chek im bo hum).
  • Comprehensive insurance (Jong hap bo hum) is a type of insurance that is available as an add-on.
  • It provides a broader variety of accident and financial protection
  • Driver insurance (Un jun ja bo hum) is a type of optional insurance that covers injury, fines, and consent in the event of an accident.

Korea’s insurance firms accept data from drivers from foreign nations. When drivers can demonstrate that they have a “no accident” record, their insurance prices are reduced. To receive these benefits, drivers must provide their prior insurance company’s vehicle insurance certificate in English when applying for a new insurance policy in Korea.

Car Insurance in a Foreign Currency

This sort of insurance is exclusively offered to foreigners living in Korea, as well as companies with ties to non-Korean governments and drivers who are foreigners. All insurance documentation are written in English, and premiums are paid in US dollars.

In the Event of a Vehicle Accident

After reporting an accident to the police and your insurance carrier, you’ll need to fill out an insurance claim form to begin the reimbursement process. The insurance firms investigate the collision, and both parties must agree on the outcome. Finally, a settlement or insurance payment is made.

Does South Korea have car insurance?

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Hyundai Marine & Fire Insurance, Dongbu Insurance, and KB Insurance, South Korea’s top four vehicle insurers, accounted for about 85 percent of the market in 2020, a rise from the previous year.

Is car insurance expensive in Korea?

Before we begin, it’s crucial to note that possessing a Korean driver’s license is required when purchasing a car and obtaining insurance, thus I consider this to be the first step toward car ownership.

Buying a Car in South Korea

There are three primary possibilities, same like in other countries: new, used through a dealership, or used through a private sale. A new car is generally the most expensive and trickiest to finance, especially for expats (basically only possible for F-Series Visa holders). The price of a new Chevy Spark or Kia Morning starts at slightly under ten million won. On top of that, you’ll have to pay taxes and registration costs. It’s only a possibility for those who plan to stay in Korea for a long time (like myself).

Purchasing a used automobile from a dealership can be less expensive, but it’s also a dangerous choice because the price you see isn’t always the price you pay because extra fees and commissions aren’t included in the list price. Before becoming too entangled, look for recommendations and double-check all of the fees. Also keep in mind that costs may be higher than in your home country because cars in Korea are now holding their worth better.

Finally, if you’re looking for something inexpensive, buying privately is the lowest and possibly best alternative. The downside is that a lot of the documentation you’ll have to fill out will be in Korean, so keep that in mind. The used automobile market in Korea is very active these days, but the scrap value is also very high, so you’ll have a hard time finding a good car for less than a million won.

Car Insurance in South Korea

Car insurance in Korea is a little less affordable than in England, for example, but it is still a good deal. I’ve never paid more than a million won for a year’s worth of coverage, and I’ve spent as low as 400,000 won.

When it comes to vehicle insurance, I personally prefer Samsung. They provide excellent English service and have always been the cheapest for me. They also provide AnyCar roadside assistance, so you can at least go home if you have a problem.

Car Fuel in South Korea

In Korea, petrol / gasoline is slightly more expensive than diesel, with LPG being much cheaper. Prices vary, but a rough estimate of $1,600 is reasonable (as of January 2020). Nowadays, most self-service stations and payment machines have an English option.

Others Car related costs in South Korea

Parking – Some apartment complexes provide free parking, while others charge per car. For example, some villas and officetels do not include parking, and street parking in some regions can be a headache. So, before you buy a car, double-check.

Tolls – To begin with, tolls in South Korea have two payment options: Highpass and Cash. HighPass requires a registration and a box, but it is a short process. The other option is to pay with cash (or even T-Money). Tolls are charged in a variety of methods, but they are most commonly used on highways (freeways).

Car tax is either paid annually or every six months. It depends on your vehicle and where you live. It starts at roughly 60,000 dollars per year and can go higher.

Fines – Speed cameras are everywhere in South Korea, and if you’re not careful, you’ll be caught. If you have too many, your license may be revoked. Parking tickets are another regular cost.

Maintenance – When it comes to car repair prices, Korea is quite decent. You can easily find a garage if you have a Korean car, but they rarely understand English.

Can foreigners buy car in Korea?

Foreign residents are not restricted from purchasing a new or used car in South Korea. The registration of the car must be done within 15 days of purchase for all buyers, regardless of country. The cost of registration varies according on the car model.

When compared to domestic versions, foreign cars are prohibitively expensive to purchase. South Korea has a thriving automobile sector. It is the world’s fifth-largest automobile producer and sixth-largest automotive exporter. The majority of the cars produced in the country are exported. The industry, which is expanding and vital to the country’s economy, is at the forefront of technology, design, and vehicle performance. Hyundai Kia AutomotiveGroup is South Korea’s largest automobile manufacturer.

If you’re a foreigner looking to buy a new automobile in South Korea, it’s a good idea to go to a few different dealerships to compare costs and models. Various dealers have different prices. Checking dealerships, car magazines, and websites for a used car can help you select a reliable vehicle with a complete service history. The paperwork for registration or ownership transfer may usually be handled by most shops. New vehicle registration and insurance can be handled by car dealerships. In some situations, the car can be driven away the same day it is purchased.

Buyers should examine the original registration and any outstanding tax balances when purchasing a used car. This can be done at the district office (gu) where the car is registered to verify that any car loans have been paid off completely. All of this information is available on the Ecar website for buyers to review (in Korean)

  • If the buyer possesses a foreigner registration card, he or she must have two Korean sponsors; if not, the buyer must have two Korean sponsors.
  • Only for used autos, a certificate of residence in Korea is required (issued by localoffice, Dong Sa Mu So or Gu)

Selling a Car

In South Korea, a used car can be sold individually or through an agency. For private sales, the seller can place ads in vehicle magazines, newspapers, or on the internet.

  • Certificate of Korean residency (issued by local office, Gu orDong Sa Mu So)
  • Vehicle tax payment certificate for the previous six months (issued by the district office or downloaded from the Ecar website) (in Korean)

How much is motorcycle insurance in Korea?

In Korea, there are numerous insurance firms, however not all of them insure motorcycles.

I frequently utilize the insurance firm “DongBoo Hwajae.” 1588-0100 is their phone number. They certainly cover motorcycles and have a reasonable price policy. The DB Insurance website is only available in Korean.

By the way, even if you just know a few Korean words, don’t be frightened to see officials on your own.

People in Korea know what they’re doing, and they’ll do everything they can to aid you.

We don’t have a number plate yet, therefore insurance will be based on your motorcycle frame number for the time being.

How much does an insurance policy for your motorcycle cost? Well, it depends on what charges insurance would cover and whether or not you have had any accidents while riding.

I chose the cheaper option, which cost 326,520KRW for the first year, 225,960KRW for the second year, and 149,800KRW for the third year.

Does AIG have auto insurance?

AIG vehicle insurance coverage cover you regardless of where you travel in the world, which is something that other conventional carriers do not. You can keep liability coverage limits of up to $1 million per event with AIG auto insurance.

Are cars cheap in South Korea?

Because of their cheaper cost of manufacture and higher output volume, South Korean automobiles are more affordable than other brands, according to Ahmad Ibrahim, director of Naza Kia Sdn Bhd, the Kia franchise holder in Malaysia.

In comparison to Proton, the Hyundai group produces 2.5 million vehicles per year. Because of their economies of scale, South Korean manufacturers are able to create their products at a more competitive price.

What is Korea’s currency called?

The South Koreans triumphed. The South Korean won has been the official currency of South Korea since 1945, however it was briefly supplanted by the Hwan. It is divisible into 100 dollars, a figure for which no money exists. “Wones” is the plural form of “won.”