Ownership costs guide

Insurance, warranty, and financing for imported cars in Georgia

What ongoing costs to expect after your car arrives — insurance, warranty options, financing, and which brands cost less to run.

By Bg Cars teamUpdated May 20266 min read

Insurance for imported cars in Georgia

Imported cars — whether clean title or salvage — are fully insurable in Georgia. The main options are third-party liability (mandatory for public roads) and comprehensive (optional but recommended for financed or higher-value cars).

Third-party liability (MTPL)

Mandatory for all vehicles on Georgian public roads. Covers damage you cause to other vehicles or persons. Cost: 150–350 GEL/year depending on vehicle class. Required for registration and driving.

Comprehensive (CASCO)

Optional full coverage — your car is covered for collision, theft, natural events. Cost: 2–5% of car value per year. On a $10,000 car, expect 200–500 GEL/year. Worth it for newer, higher-value imports.

Salvage title and insurance

Most Georgian insurers will provide MTPL for salvage-title cars without issue. Comprehensive (CASCO) for salvage cars may have higher premiums or require a pre-insurance inspection.

Compare insurers before committing

Aldagi, GPI Holding, IRAO, Ingosstrakh — main Georgian insurers. Get quotes from at least 3 before deciding. Prices vary significantly for the same car.

Warranty options for imported cars

Auction-bought cars come with no manufacturer warranty. This is a key difference from buying a new car at a dealership. However, you have several options:

Third-party warranty providers

Several Georgian companies offer extended warranty packages for used imports, covering engine, gearbox, and electrical systems. Costs: 300–800 GEL/year depending on coverage scope and car value.

Manufacturer's remaining warranty

Clean-title cars that are relatively new (under 3 years old, under 60,000 miles) may still have remaining factory warranty. This transfers with the car — verify the VIN with the manufacturer's Georgian authorized dealer.

Service contract at Georgian dealer

Authorized dealers (Toyota, Hyundai, KIA) offer paid service plans for imported cars, even if originally sold in the US. Not a full warranty, but covers scheduled maintenance at standard rates.

No warranty (self-insure)

For experienced buyers who know how to evaluate car condition, carrying no warranty and putting the savings into a repair fund is often the most cost-effective approach.

For most imported cars, the practical approach is: buy a car with a clean damage report, have it inspected by a trusted Georgian mechanic on arrival, and build a repair fund from your savings vs the dealer price.

Financing options for imported cars

Bank financing for imported cars is less straightforward than for locally purchased vehicles, but options exist.

Georgian bank car loans

TBC Bank, Bank of Georgia, Liberty Bank offer car loans for imported vehicles. Typical terms: 12–60 months, 12–20% annual interest in GEL. The car must be registered in Georgia and used as collateral.

Importer financing

Some Georgian importers offer installment plans (განვადება) directly. Terms vary but are often 6–24 months. More flexible than bank loans but typically higher effective interest.

Personal loan or refinancing

If you own property in Georgia, a home equity loan typically has much lower rates (8–12%) than a car loan. This is often the cheapest financing option for buyers with assets.

Paying in stages through the import process

Some importers allow partial payment at auction, with the remainder due on delivery. This gives you a few weeks to arrange full financing without paying interest from day one.

Which brands cost less to import and maintain?

Not all cars are equal in terms of import cost, parts availability, and long-term running costs in Georgia. Here are the top import choices based on real market data:

Brand	Best models	Note
Toyota / Lexus	Camry 2.5L, RAV4, ES350	Best long-term reliability, parts widely available everywhere in Georgia. Camry is the most popular US import.
Honda / Acura	Accord 1.5T, CR-V, Civic	High reliability, efficient engines (1.5T saves on customs). Parts available, good resale value.
Hyundai / Kia	Sonata 2.0L, Sportage, Tucson	Strong value. Wide parts network in Georgia. Lower auction prices mean better import economics.
Tesla	Model 3, Model Y (LHD)	ZERO customs. Growing service network in Georgia. Model 3 is the most cost-effective EV import.
Chevrolet / GMC	Malibu, Equinox	Low auction prices, good condition supply. GM parts take longer to source in Georgia — factor into running costs.

Are certified pre-owned (CPO) imports worth the extra cost?

Some importers offer CPO-style certification — an inspection and limited warranty package added to the import. Here is an honest assessment:

Pros

Peace of mind for first-time buyers unfamiliar with evaluating auction cars
Typically includes a mechanical inspection by a certified Georgian mechanic
Some packages include 3–6 month limited powertrain warranty
Useful for higher-value cars ($15,000+) where surprise repairs are expensive

Cons

CPO certification typically adds $300–$800 to the import cost
The warranty scope is usually limited — read the fine print carefully
A trusted independent mechanic inspection (~100–200 GEL) gives similar peace of mind at a fraction of the cost
For experienced buyers or lower-value imports, CPO rarely justifies the premium

Sources & further reading

Frequently asked questions about ownership costs

What to expect after the car arrives.

Do insurance costs differ for imported cars in Georgia?+

Are certified pre-owned imports worth the extra cost?+

What warranty coverage applies to imported vehicles?+

Why do some brands cost more to import than others?+

Do financing options exist for imported cars in Georgia?+

How much extra should I pay for warranty on imported cars?+

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