If your vehicle is now in an impound storage facility because it wasn't insured, you're probably having one of those “oh, fantastic” moments. Maybe you forgot to renew your policy, maybe there was a payment glitch, or maybe you just assumed you were covered when you weren't. Whatever the case, you've now got a major headache on your hands; because in the UK, driving without insurance isn't just frowned upon, it's illegal. And when the police catch you, they don't mess around. Your car can be seized on the spot.

So now, the big question: can you get insurance after your car has already been taken? Short answer: You might well. Long answer? It's not as simple as making a quick phone call.

Can You Get Insurance After Your Car Has Been Seized?

Once your car is sitting in the pound, your regular insurance probably won't be enough to get it back. A lot of insurers won't touch impounded vehicles at all, and the ones that do? They usually charge a premium for it. That means you'll likely need a specialist impound insurance policy; one specifically designed to meet the legal requirements for vehicle release.

And getting that policy isn't always straightforward. A few things can work against you, including:

• Your Insurance History – If you've been caught driving uninsured before, some insurers won't want to take the risk.
• Why Your Car Was Uninsured – A simple lapse in cover? Maybe they'll be lenient. But if you were knowingly driving around without insurance, getting covered again could be trickier.
• Your Driving Record – If you've got other offences on your licence, insurers may see you as high-risk, making it harder (or more expensive) to get the policy you may need.

What Insurance Protection Do You Need?

To get your car out of impound, you'll need a policy that meets some very specific release requirements, which usually include:

• A minimum of 30 days of cover (so no, a quick one-day policy won't do).
• Verification by the authorities before they hand your keys back.

And here's the catch; not all policies qualify. So don't just grab the cheapest one you find online, assuming it'll work. Check first to make sure it meets impound release rules.

What If Someone Else Needs to Collect the Car?

Maybe you can't pick up the car yourself, and you're hoping a friend or family member can step in for you. Sounds simple enough, would you say?

Not always.

Most insurers require the policyholder to be the registered keeper of the vehicle. So if someone else is collecting it, they may actually need to take legal ownership of the car first. And that's not just a formality; it means updating the logbook (V5C) with the DVLA before they can even attempt to get the car released.

If this isn't an option, you might need to consider:

• Keeping an eye out for an Insurer That Covers Named Drivers – Some policies allow another driver to be insured on the car, but these aren't always easy to find.
• Transferring Ownership – If you can't get insured but someone else can, switching the registered keeper to them might be the best move.
• Hiring a Recovery Service – If all else fails, a professional towing company can collect the car for you. No insurance needed; just a truck and a service fee.

Are There Any Other Legal Requirements?

Even if your insurance is sorted, you still need to make sure your car is road legal before you drive it away. That means:

• Road tax must be up to date – If your car was declared SORN (off the road) or its tax has expired, you'll need to sort that out first.
• MOT must be valid – If your MOT has expired, you're only allowed to drive the car directly to a pre-booked MOT test; no quick detours, no stopping for coffee.

If your car isn't fully roadworthy, don't risk it. Either tax and MOT it before collection or arrange for a recovery truck to get it home legally.

What Happens If You Can't Retrieve the Car?

If you don't arrange insurance or find another way to collect your car, things can go downhill fast. Storage fees rack up daily, and if you leave it unclaimed for too long, the authorities might auction it off or scrap it.

And here's the sting in the tail; even if your car gets scrapped, you could still be responsible for outstanding fees. So ignoring the problem won't make it go away; it'll just make it more expensive.

What's Your Next Move?

If your ride has been towed to the impound because of a lack of insurance, sorting out a specialist impound policy ASAP is your best bet. The sooner you get covered, the sooner you can stop those storage fees from piling up.

Need help browsing for the right impound insurance? Phone the number below or click below for a quote.

And one last thing; you've got seven working days from the date on your seizure notice to collect your car.

Miss the deadline, and it could be gone for good. Don't let that happen; get it sorted today.