Can I Insure an Impounded Vehicle If It Is Not Registered in My Name?

So, your car (or rather, not your car) has been impounded. Maybe you were driving a friend’s car when it got seized. Maybe you recently bought a vehicle, but the paperwork hasn’t caught up yet. Or maybe it’s a family car that’s registered to someone else, but you’re the one who needs to sort this mess out.

Now, the big question: Can you get insurance for an impounded car if it’s not in your name?

The short answer? It’s complicated; but not impossible. Let’s break it down.

Why Does It Matter Whose Name Is on the V5C?

The V5C logbook (also called the vehicle registration document) is what proves legal ownership of a car. The problem? Police impounds won’t just release a vehicle to anyone who walks in saying, “Yes, that’s my mate’s car, I’ll take it now, cheers.”

They need proof that the person collecting the vehicle has the legal right to do so. And if your name isn’t on that logbook, you could be facing an uphill battle.

Can You Get Insurance for an Impounded Car If You’re Not the Registered Keeper?

Here’s where things get tricky. Most insurance companies require the policyholder to be the registered keeper of the car. Why? Because insuring someone else’s car raises all sorts of red flags for fraud, stolen vehicles, and general insurance headaches.

That said, there are ways to get insurance for an impounded car that isn’t registered in your name; but only under specific circumstances.

Your Options for Insuring an Impounded Car That’s Not in Your Name

1. Get the Registered Keeper to Sort It

This might be the easiest solution; if possible. If the car belongs to a friend, family member, or company, the best approach is to have them arrange the insurance and collect it themselves.

• Get a specialist impounded car insurance policy.
• Show up in person at the impound lot with the required documents.
• Pay the release and storage fees.

If they can’t or won’t do it, keep reading.

2. Get the Registered Keeper to Authorise You

If the owner can’t collect the car themselves, some pounds will allow an authorised person to retrieve it on their behalf. This usually requires:

• A signed letter of authorisation from the registered keeper, giving you permission to collect the vehicle.
• A copy of the registered keeper’s ID (passport or driving licence).
• Your own ID (driving licence or passport).
• Proof of insurance that meets impound requirements.

Some impound lots are stricter than others, so call ahead to check if they’ll accept this arrangement.

3. Transfer Ownership to Yourself

If the car is actually yours, but the paperwork just doesn’t reflect that yet, you might be able to update the V5C logbook so you become the legal owner.

• Online via the DVLA website (though this may take time).
• By filling out the V5C transfer section and submitting it to the DVLA.

Once you are officially the registered keeper, you can take out insurance in your own name and collect the car yourself.

4. Find an Insurer That Covers Non-Registered Keepers

Some specialist impound insurance providers may allow you to insure the car even if you’re not the registered keeper; but this is rare.

If you find an insurer willing to do this, be prepared to:

• Provide a valid reason for why you might need to insure the car.
• Show proof of your connection to the vehicle (e.g., a bill of sale if you’ve just bought it).
• Pay a higher premium because of the increased risk.

5. Use a Vehicle Recovery Service

If you’re completely stuck and can’t get insurance in your name, you might be able to pay for a recovery truck to collect the vehicle for you.

This allows you to get the car out of impound legally without having to insure it yourself. However, this comes with an extra cost, which could be anywhere from £100 to £300 or more, depending on distance.

What Happens If You Do Nothing?

If you don’t act fast, the clock keeps ticking; and so do the storage fees (usually around £26 per day).

If you don’t retrieve the vehicle within seven working days, the pound can:

• Sell the car at auction (and you won’t see a penny of the sale price).
• Scrap it if they consider it unroadworthy.
• Charge additional disposal fees, which could leave you owing money even if you don’t get the car back.

So whatever you do; don’t just leave it.

Endnote:: Act Fast & Get It Sorted

If you might need to insure an impounded vehicle that isn’t registered in your name, you do have options; but it’s not always straightforward.

Here’s your best course of action:

• If possible, get the registered keeper to sort it out; it’s the simplest way.
• If they can’t, get a letter of authorisation so you can retrieve it on their behalf.
• If the car is actually yours, update the V5C to reflect that ASAP.
• If you can’t get insurance, consider using a vehicle recovery service instead.

The most important thing? Act fast. Every day you delay, storage fees stack up; and once the pound decides to get rid of your car, there’s no getting it back.

Need help finding the right insurance for an impounded car? Click the button below for a quote online or ring the number below for expert advice, and quotes. The sooner you act, the less you’ll have to pay!