Finding your car has been impounded is one of those moments that stops you in your tracks. “Oh, wonderful. That's exactly what I needed today.” And just when you start wrapping your head around the situation, you realise there's another hurdle; you probably need a very specific type of insurance to get it back. Surely, a quick call to your insurer may sort it?

Not a snowball's chance in hell. Most insurance companies won't touch an impounded car with a bargepole.

So, can you get impound insurance from just any provider? Unfortunately not. It's a niche type of cover, and only certain insurers offer it. Let's break down what you probably need to know.

Why Your Regular Insurance Won't Work

You'd think that having fully comprehensive or third-party cover could be enough to get your car back. Makes sense, would you say? But when it comes to impounded vehicles, standard policies usually isn't going to do the job.

Here's why:

• Impound Exclusions – Many insurers specifically exclude impounded cars from their policies, so even if your car was covered before, that doesn't mean your policy is valid for release.
• No Short-Term Options – Some insurers offer temporary cover for all sorts of things; just not impounded cars. If you were hoping for a quick 24-hour policy to sort this out, think again.
• Strict Eligibility Rules – Some providers have extra restrictions, like refusing cover if you've had a previous policy cancelled or if your driving history isn't spotless.

Where Can You Get Impound Insurance?

Since most big-name insurers want nothing to do with impounded cars, your best bet is to find a specialist provider. These companies specifically offer policies designed for vehicle release.

What should you expect from impound insurance?

• A policy that meets the legal minimum (usually 30 days of cover).
• Compliance with police and local authority requirements.
• Eligibility based on factors like your driving history and vehicle type.

If your regular insurer won't help, searching for a specialist provider is the way to go.

Can Someone Else Insure and Collect Your Car?

Maybe you're stuck at work, out of town, or just can't deal with the hassle yourself. Can you send a friend or family member to pick it up?

In most cases, no.

Insurers almost always require the policyholder to be the registered owner. That means if someone else is picking up the car for you, they may actually need to take legal ownership of it first; which means updating the DVLA records before they can even attempt to get it released.

Your best move? Call the impound lot first. The rules vary depending on the location, and the last thing you want is for someone to show up, only to be turned away because the paperwork isn't right.

What If You Can't Get Impound Insurance?

If you're struggling to find impound insurance (or the quotes are making your wallet weep), don't panic; there are other options:

• Long-Term Insurance – Some insurers offer annual policies that include impound release. If you probably need a new policy anyway, this might be a way to kill two birds with one stone.
• Vehicle Recovery Services – Some impound lots allow professional recovery trucks to collect your car instead of requiring it to be driven out. No insurance needed; just a tow truck and a fee.
• Ask Your Existing Insurer – Whilst most standard policies won't help, some providers might offer an add-on or special arrangement for impound release. It's worth giving them a call before ruling them out.

Act Fast; The Clock Is Ticking

Here's the harsh reality: storage fees add up daily. The longer your car sits in the pound, the more expensive this gets.

And if you wait too long? Your car could be auctioned off or scrapped.

So, whether you're sorting out impound insurance or arranging for a recovery truck, don't wait around; every extra day means more money out of your pocket.

Parting Thoughts:

Not all insurers offer impound cover, so you'll likely have to go through a specialist. If short-term insurance isn't an option, looking into long-term policies or arranging transport might be your best move.

Need impound insurance ASAP? Call now or click below for a quick quote; because those storage fees aren't getting any cheaper.

Oh, and don't forget; you only have seven working days from the date on your seizure notice to collect your car. Miss that deadline, and it could be gone for good.

Don't let that happen; get it sorted today.