Or ring ☎ 0161 388 2552 (office hours)
When your car ends up in a pound, the first thing that comes to mind is how to get it back without spending a fortune. Each day it stays there adds storage fees, and you can’t collect it until you show valid insurance. The trouble is, most normal policies aren’t accepted for this purpose, so you’ll need a specific type of cover before you go.
To start with, the pound will only release a vehicle if you can prove that it’s insured for road use from the moment it leaves the site. A standard annual policy doesn’t always qualify, especially if it’s been cancelled or suspended after the seizure. In many cases, the original cover becomes void when the car is impounded, so turning up with an old certificate will simply waste a trip. You’ll need a new, short-term policy that’s recognised for impound release.
This type of policy is usually called impound insurance, temporary impound cover, or sometimes “compound insurance”. It’s designed for a short period, normally 30 days, and provides the minimum legal third-party protection required to collect the car. That’s enough to satisfy police and pound requirements, though it won’t protect your own vehicle against damage or theft. Think of it as a practical bridge: it gets the car back into your hands while you sort out longer-term cover later.
Buying this cover is fairly straightforward if you have your paperwork ready. Most insurers that offer impound policies will ask for your name, address, driving licence number, and the car’s registration. They’ll also check that you’re the registered keeper, because impound cover is rarely issued to anyone else. You can arrange the policy online, pay securely, and receive your certificate almost instantly by email. Print it out or have it available on your phone before you head to the pound.
It’s vital to read the small print carefully before buying. The wording on the certificate must show that the policy is valid for impounded vehicle release. If it doesn’t, the staff at the pound will refuse it, and you’ll be back to square one with another day’s storage fee added to the total. Some drivers buy standard temporary insurance, thinking it’s the same thing, only to be turned away because it lacks the required declaration. Always double-check that phrase before you pay.
When you visit the pound, you’ll also need proof of ID, your driving licence, the V5C logbook or proof of ownership, and the police seizure reference if you were given one. Most pounds accept card payments for release and storage charges, but not all take cash, so it’s worth confirming first. The release fees vary, and each day of storage adds to the bill, so try not to delay once you’ve got the insurance in place.
If your car has no MOT or tax, you won’t be allowed to drive it home even with valid impound insurance. In those cases, you’ll need to arrange recovery by a transporter or tow truck. The pound can usually recommend local recovery firms, but it’s often cheaper to organise your own before you arrive. Keep in mind that impound insurance only keeps you legal to drive the car, not to fix other issues like expired tax or unsafe tyres.
It’s common for people to feel rushed during this process, especially when storage charges are building up. Take a moment to check your car thoroughly before leaving the pound. Walk around it, look for any new damage or missing items, and take photographs. If you notice anything unusual, report it straight away and ask for it to be recorded on the release paperwork. Once you drive away, it’s far harder to prove the condition it was in when collected.
After the release, you’ll still need to deal with the insurance question properly. Impound policies are temporary by design, so they end after the short term agreed—often a month. Before that runs out, set up a full annual policy that covers your regular use. Driving beyond the expiry of a temporary impound policy is illegal, and it can lead to the same problem all over again.
It’s also worth noting that having a car impounded can influence future premiums. Insurers often treat an impound incident as a sign of higher risk, particularly if the reason involved no insurance or expired documents. When arranging future cover, be honest about what happened. Providing accurate details prevents complications if you need to make a claim later.
For anyone facing an impound situation, the process may feel daunting, but it’s entirely manageable with the right preparation. Get your documents in order, buy a genuine impound release policy, and act quickly to limit costs. Once you’ve got the car home, review your insurance, tax and MOT status carefully so you don’t face another seizure. It’s a frustrating experience, but if handled properly, it’s one you only have to deal with once.
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.