Impounded Car Insurance
Are you looking for competitive impounded car insurance? You can get instant, affordable impound insurance with UK Sure compound Insurance!
We provide impound insurance not only for standard UK licences but also for Provisional, International and European driving licence holders.
Looking to release an impounded car? With our 30-day impound cover, you get your car out of the impound quickly, regardless of the driving licence you hold!
​
We can also provide impounded car insurance for drivers with a bad driving claims history, driving convictions, or criminal convictions. With our short-term impounded car insurance, you'll have the coverage required to get your car released from a police compound today.
Can you insure me with a named driver?
Have you been told by the police that you need a named driver on your compound insurance policy? - We can help you with named driver impound insurance!
​
In some instances, the police will not release the vehicle unless you have a named driver on the policy. This may be because you are currently banned from driving, or have pending convictions that will result in a driving ban, or you only have an international driving licence but have been in the UK for over 12 months! - Whatever the reason, UK Sure can provide you with impounded car insurance for you and a named driver.
Please note that the named driver needs to meet certain criteria:
-
Be over 25 years of age
-
Hold a clean Full UK driving licence
-
Be claims-free in the last 5 years
​
If you require compound insurance with a named driver on your policy, you need to request a quote over the phone on 01323 416706, as this type of impounded car insurance is not available online!
​
Short-term impounded car insurance
UK Sure compound car insurance is a 30-day third-party policy only.
The 30-day policy requirement is an essential element as it helps to ensure your vehicle is not impounded again for not being insured once it leaves the compound.
Why do the police seize cars?
According to section 165A of the Road Traffic Act 1988, the police have the legal power to seize any vehicle driven without valid insurance or by someone without a valid driving licence. If the driver is found in violation, or if the police cannot verify insurance on the spot, the vehicle will be impounded. A release fee and daily storage charges will apply until the vehicle is retrieved.
You have 14 days to get your vehicle back, as stated in the S.165 notice given to you at the roadside. After this date, your vehicle could be crushed.
Your van can be impounded for several reasons, for example:
-
Policyholders who thought their policy auto-renewed.
-
Vehicles are insured, but for the wrong use.
-
Drivers who believed they had the Driving Other Cars extension.
-
Policyholders who let someone else use their vehicle, thinking they had insurance or a full current driving licence.
Do you have an IN10 Conviction?
UK Sure work with experts in finding competitive compound insurance for drivers with motoring convictions, short-term and annual policies including cover for drivers with motoring convictions, such as an IN10 for driving without insurance.
So if your vehicle has been seized because you didn't have insurance in place and you have an IN10 conviction (or pending), we can still find you the right policy at the right price.
​
What happens to your vehicle when it's impounded?
​If your vehicle is seized, it will be taken to a secure storage facility and held there until you provide proof of insurance and pay the necessary release fee. As stated previously, you have 14 days to get your vehicle back. The vehicle may be sold or crushed if you don't get it back within this period. While your car is in the impound, you will be charged a daily storage fee, which can add up quickly, so the sooner you resolve the situation, the better.
​
Can you get an impounded car released without insurance?
You can't get your vehicle out of an impound without compound insurance. You can only get your seized car back if you can prove it has valid insurance for at least 30 days.
​
Releasing your impounded vehicle
To release your impounded vehicle, you must provide proof of valid insurance and pay the fee. Also, you must ensure your vehicle is roadworthy and meets all safety and emissions standards. This ensures that once your car is back on the road, it complies with all legal and safety requirements.
​
What do I need to have to release my vehicle?
To get your impounded vehicle released, you will need:
-
The issued seizure notice or penalty ticket
-
Proof of insurance covering at least 30 days (Certificate of Insurance)
-
Proof of identity (driving licence)
-
Proof of vehicle ownership (V5 registration document)
-
Proof of address, such as a utility bill, council tax statement, or bank statement issued within the past 3 months.
-
Valid MOT certificate
-
Impound release fee
It's best to check with the impound lot beforehand to confirm what documents are required and the release fee. This will help speed up the process and get your vehicle back on the road as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How quickly can I get impound insurance?
Yes, we provide impound insurance not only for standard UK licences but also for Provisional, International and European driving licence holders.
​
Question: Can I get impound insurance with a non-UK licence?
With UK Sure, you can get impounded insurance in less than 60 minutes. Once we receive your quote, we can provide you with a quote in minutes!
​
Question: What documents are needed to release an impounded vehicle?
To get your impounded vehicle released, you will need:
-
The issued seizure notice or penalty ticket
-
Proof of insurance covering at least 30 days (Certificate of Insurance)
-
Proof of identity (driving licence)
-
Proof of vehicle ownership (V5 registration document)
-
Proof of address, such as a utility bill, council tax statement, or bank statement issued within the past 3 months.
-
Valid MOT certificate
-
Impound release fee
​
Question: What is impound insurance in the UK?
Impound insurance is the cover you need to get a car released from the impound, as the majority of standard car insurance policies do not cover impounded cars. Impound insurance is a short-term policy that lasts for 30 days.
​
Question: What happens if I don't want to reclaim my impounded vehicle?
If you don’t want to reclaim your vehicle, this is called 'disclaiming. ' You need to go to the pound with proof of identity and proof of ownership.
You'll have to pay the disposal charge (where applicable), but you won't be asked to pay for the outstanding removal and storage charges.
You're still liable for any penalty charge notice that may have been issued for a parking offence (where applicable).
Disposal charges:
-
Car and light van: £96
-
Two-wheeled vehicle: £64
Once you sign the vehicle disclaimer with the police, it will be disposed of straight away, by scrapping or by sale at auction. You'll no longer be responsible for taxing and insuring the vehicle.
​
Question: How quickly do I need to claim my impounded car?
You must go to the police pound to claim your vehicle within seven days. If you fail to do so, then after 14 days, it is likely that it may be scrapped or sold, possibly with any property that is in it. If you are unable to attend, perhaps because of illness or other commitments, you must contact the pound immediately to let them know.
​
Question: What documents could I need to take to the pound?
Form 3708: you should have received this form, either from the police officer who confiscated the vehicle, or by post. This gives general guidance about how to recover your vehicle and you should include it with the documentation you take with you.
Proof of ownership: You may have to produce proof that you own the vehicle.
Your driving licence: a valid and up-to-date driving licence must be produced. If you are a learner driver, you might need a qualified driver.
Proof of insurance: You will need to produce a certificate of insurance. You may be asked to show the email from the insurance company you bought it from, with a link to the policy documents.
A means of payment: There could be a charge for the vehicle being impounded in the first place, plus a daily storage charge.
​
Question: How do I know if my car is impounded?
The easiest way to find out if your vehicle has been towed and where it is being stored is by using the Towed Vehicle Tracing Service (TRACE). TRACE is a free 24-hour a day helpline service for anyone whose vehicle may have been towed away. You can phone TRACE on 0300 077 0100 for assistance.​
​
Question: Can I sell my impounded car?
It is indeed possible to sell your car while it’s in the pound – but only if it’s a genuine sale. You can’t just pass it on to another person in an attempt to get around the laws.
So if your vehicle was seized because you were driving it without a valid licence, you can’t simply “sell” it to a friend who does have a licence, then take it back once it’s been released.
​
Do you have a question about impounded car insurance?
Submit your question here
Related Products
Get your impounded van released quickly with specialist insurance tailored for immediate cover and compliance.
​
Flexible temporary car insurance for daily, weekly, or monthly use—quick cover with instant proof provided.
​​​
Get quick and easy temporary van insurance—ideal for daily, weekly, or monthly driving needs.