Your Car's Been Impounded - Now What?

Well, this is a nightmare, isn't it? One minute, your car's parked where you left it; the next, it's been impounded, and you're drowning in insurance jargon, impound rules, and paperwork headaches. And if you're hoping someone else can pick it up for you - well, it's not that simple.

The rules on who can collect an impounded vehicle aren't always clear-cut. It depends on the insurance policy, the impound lot's rules, and whether the person collecting the car is the registered keeper. Let's break it down.

Can Someone Else Pick Up an Impounded Car for You?

Short answer? Probably not.

Most impound lots require the registered keeper to be the one who collects the vehicle. That means they'll need to take out specialist impound insurance - which, unfortunately, is a lot stricter than your usual car insurance policy.

Hoping to add another driver to the policy? Here's what you probably need to know:

• Most insurers only cover the registered keeper when it comes to impounded car insurance.
• Some policies don't allow additional drivers at all - especially short-term impound policies.
• Even if an insurer does allow it, expect strict conditions to apply.

So, no - it's not as easy as handing your mate the keys and sending them to fetch your car.

Why Adding Another Driver Isn't That Simple

Unlike regular car insurance - where you can easily add a named driver - impound insurance is a whole different ball game. Insurers see impounded cars as high-risk, meaning tighter rules, fewer options, and very little flexibility.

If an insurer does allow you to add another driver, expect some pretty specific conditions, such as:

• The additional driver must be a close family member.
• They might need to already be named on a previous or existing policy for the same vehicle.
• Some insurers require proof that they live at the same address as the registered keeper.

Why all the red tape? It's all about risk. Insurers want to avoid fraudulent claims or unauthorised use, so they make sure their policies stay locked down.

What If Someone Else Needs to Pick Up the Car?

Can't collect the car yourself? You might be thinking about a workaround.

One option? Transferring ownership.

If someone else takes legal ownership of the car, they can update the vehicle's registration with the DVLA, get a new V5C logbook, and then insure the vehicle in their own name.

But - and this is a big but - even after an ownership transfer, getting insurance might still be an issue. Some insurers only cover the person who was the registered keeper at the time the car was seized.

Before going down this road, speak to the impound lot to confirm exactly what documents you'll need - you don't want to turn up and get turned away.

What If Additional Drivers Aren't Allowed?

If adding another driver isn't an option, don't panic - there are still ways to get your car back.

• Take Out Short-Term Impound Insurance – The registered keeper might just have to bite the bullet and take out a temporary impound insurance policy to release the car.
• Hire a Recovery Truck – If driving it away isn't an option, you can pay a recovery service to tow it instead. This completely skips the insurance issue.
• Reinstate an Old Insurance Policy – If the car was insured before being impounded, some insurers may allow you to reinstate that policy - but this depends on the insurer.

What Paperwork Do You Need to Get Your Car Back?

Whether the registered keeper is collecting the car or ownership has been transferred, there are a few must-have documents you'll need at the pound:

• A valid driving licence.
• Proof of insurance that meets impound requirements.
• The V5C logbook showing the registered keeper's details.
• A valid MOT certificate, if the car needs one.
• Proof of road tax or exemption.

Turn up without these, and you're going nowhere.

Closing the Chapter: - Act Fast or Pay More

If you're trying to add another driver to an impounded car insurance policy, don't hold your breath - most insurers just won't allow it. If you can't collect the car yourself, you'll need to consider other options like hiring a recovery truck or transferring ownership.

Whatever you do, don't drag your feet. Every extra day in the pound = higher storage fees. Leave it too long, and your car could be auctioned off or scrapped.

Need impound insurance fast? Call now and get it sorted before it's too late.

Legal Reminder: You must visit the police pound within seven working days of the seizure notice. Miss that deadline, and things could get a whole lot worse.