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Why pounds check insurance so strictly
Before a police or council pound releases a seized vehicle, staff must check that the person collecting it has insurance that actually allows the vehicle to leave the site. This isn’t just a formality. Many ordinary temporary policies exclude impounded vehicles, and pounds can only release a car when the paperwork meets specific legal and procedural requirements. A certificate that looks valid at first glance may still be rejected if it lacks the right wording or start time.
Policies that pounds normally accept
Pounds usually expect one of the following:
- A valid annual policy in the correct keeper or driver’s name, covering the vehicle for normal road use.
- A specialist impound-release policy, normally lasting around 30 days, written specifically to cover the release of a car from a police compound.
- A policy allowing third-party use for a permitted driver, but only if the pound is satisfied that the insured person is legally entitled to take the car away.
In practice, the clearest option is a policy written for impound release. Pounds are familiar with this type of certificate, and the wording tends to match their expectations.
The certificate must be active when you arrive
This is one of the most important points. A certificate that begins later in the day will normally be refused. Pounds expect insurance to be live at the moment you stand at the counter. If the start time is even a few minutes in the future, you can be turned away and asked to return once the policy has begun. Always check the start date and time before travelling.
The wording must allow release of a seized vehicle
Many temporary policies exclude use in connection with releasing an impounded vehicle. The pound will usually inspect the certificate to confirm that the insurer permits the vehicle to be driven away. Staff may look for specific phrases, or they may refer to their guidance notes behind the counter. If the wording is unclear, the pound may telephone the insurer to check. If the insurer cannot confirm the policy is valid for impound release, the certificate will not be accepted.
The details must match DVLA and pound records
Accuracy matters. Pounds will usually check the vehicle’s registration number, the insured person’s name, and, in many areas, whether that person is the registered keeper. If someone else is collecting the car, the pound may insist that the policy reflects that driver, or that the registered keeper is present with ID. A mismatch in details can delay release, even when the policy itself is acceptable.
Driving away versus transporting the vehicle
Insurance alone is not enough if the vehicle is unroadworthy, has dangerous defects or cannot legally be driven because of an expired MOT. In those situations, pounds expect a specialist vehicle recovery company to collect the car. The recovery operator uses its own insurance, so the keeper does not need a driving policy for release. This is often the only lawful option if the vehicle is too damaged or unsafe to drive.
Using a pre-booked MOT exemption
If the MOT has expired, you can normally drive the car directly to a pre-booked test once it has been released, provided the vehicle is safe. Pound staff often ask for proof of the booking. However, this exemption does not remove the need for proper insurance. The policy still has to meet all the usual requirements for impound release.
Certificates pounds are likely to reject
Pounds commonly refuse certificates that:
- Start later the same day
- Are generic temporary policies with no reference to impound release
- List the wrong vehicle registration
- Are issued to someone who cannot legally collect the vehicle
- Do not appear on the insurer’s database when checked
Even minor errors can cause delays, so it’s worth checking everything carefully before setting off.
A simple rule to follow
Valid insurance for an impounded car is any policy that is active immediately, written for the correct person and vehicle, and accepted by the pound as suitable for releasing a seized vehicle. Specialist impound-release policies are the most reliable route, but annual cover can also be accepted as long as the pound is satisfied that the vehicle is insured for lawful road use.
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.