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Why crashed vehicles often end up in a pound
When police attend a collision, they may arrange recovery if the car is badly damaged, blocking the road or unsafe to drive. In those situations the vehicle is taken to a designated pound for storage and inspection. That doesn’t necessarily mean a driving offence has been committed. It is simply the procedure used when a damaged vehicle cannot remain at the scene. Once the car is in the pound, you have to meet certain insurance conditions before it can be released or moved elsewhere.
Check the status of your existing insurance first
If you already had valid insurance at the time of the crash, that policy normally remains the key reference point. The insurer may open a claim, suspend parts of the cover until the car is assessed, or ask for photographs before the vehicle moves. In many cases the existing policy is still active and can be used for release, but you must confirm this directly with the insurer. If the policy has been restricted or cancelled following the collision, you will need alternative cover before the pound can release the car.
Most pounds will not accept a certificate from a policy that the insurer has suspended, even if you still have the original paperwork. If the insurer says the car is no longer covered for road use, the pound will insist on recovery rather than allowing you to drive away.
When you need impound-approved temporary cover
If your original insurer cannot provide an active certificate that allows the vehicle to leave the pound, you may need a temporary policy designed specifically for impound release. These policies usually run for around 30 days and must begin immediately. Pounds check the details carefully. The certificate must show the correct registration, the correct name and a start time that is already in force when you attend.
Temporary impound cover can be useful in situations such as:
- your original insurer is still assessing the claim and will not issue a drive-away certificate
- the damage does not make the car unroadworthy, but the insurer will not permit it to be driven under the existing policy
- you need to move the car to a repairer or home address before your insurer authorises repairs
These policies are not a substitute for long-term cover. They are a short-term solution to get the vehicle out of the pound so you can move it legally and safely.
Driving the car away versus arranging recovery
A key question after any crash is whether the vehicle is still safe. Pounds will not allow you to drive away a car that is clearly dangerous. Even if you have the correct insurance, the police can refuse release for road use if the vehicle has severe structural damage, leaking fluids, collapsed suspension or other faults that pose a safety risk. In these cases the only lawful option is to arrange a specialist vehicle recovery company. Their transporter is covered by their own insurance, so you do not need drive-away cover to move the car.
If the damage is light, the car starts, rolls freely, and shows no obvious safety issues, you may be able to drive it away once insured. Many drivers choose to drive it directly to a repairer. Some also drive it home first, but only if the vehicle is roadworthy. A pound’s acceptance of your insurance does not guarantee that the police or your insurer will regard the car as safe, so a cautious inspection is always sensible.
What if the MOT has expired since the crash?
If the MOT expired while the vehicle was in storage, the usual rule applies: you can normally drive directly to a pre-booked MOT test, provided the vehicle is safe. Bring written proof of the appointment. The exemption only applies to a direct journey. You still need valid insurance that the pound accepts, and you must not drive the vehicle if the crash damage makes it unsafe, even with a booked test.
Cover needed for transporting the car to a repairer
If the car needs professional repair work, consider whether your insurer expects you to use their approved repair network. Some insurers arrange collection directly, and in those cases you don’t need separate impound cover. If the insurer agrees that you can choose your own garage, you may need either:
- a temporary impound-release policy so you can drive the vehicle to the repairer, or
- a recovery company to move it on a flatbed
The decision depends on the car’s condition and your insurer’s instructions. If the insurer has already written the vehicle off, they may prefer to collect it themselves from the pound rather than have you arrange removal.
Sorting long-term cover after the car leaves the pound
Once the vehicle is home or at a garage, review your insurance position. If a claim is ongoing, your insurer controls the next steps. If the vehicle is repairable and still roadworthy, they may reinstate full cover once assessments are complete. If the car is written off, you will usually need a new policy for any replacement vehicle. If you arranged impound-specific temporary cover, make sure you either cancel it once no longer needed or replace it with long-term insurance before using the car again.
A clear way to plan your next steps
After a crash, the cover you need depends on three things: whether your existing policy remains active, whether the car is safe to drive and what the pound requires for release. If your insurer confirms the policy is still valid for road use, that may be enough. If not, a temporary impound-release policy can bridge the gap. If the car is unsafe, arrange recovery. With the right documents and a realistic assessment of the vehicle’s condition, you can release it from the pound smoothly and decide the best way to move it on for repair or inspection.
Impound processes, time limits and costs vary widely across the UK, and authorities can amend their rules at any time. Information on this site is intended as a general overview and should not be relied on as definitive for any specific impound location.