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How recovery cover normally works
Most roadside-recovery policies are designed for breakdowns and mechanical failures on the public highway. They usually deal with flat batteries, punctures, non-starts and towing to a garage. These policies are not written with police or council impounds in mind, and the exclusions in the policy wording usually make that clear.
In practice, a typical roadside product does not include the cost of releasing a vehicle from a pound, nor does it allow an operator to collect the vehicle on your behalf without special arrangements. The service is built around breakdown assistance, not the legal process of recovering a seized vehicle from custody.
Why impound release is treated differently
Once a car is seized, it is held under statutory powers. Pounds operate controlled access systems, and recovery operators cannot simply arrive and remove a vehicle using your breakdown membership. Release involves identity checks, payment of fees and confirmation that the person claiming the vehicle has lawful authority to do so.
Because of this, recovery from a pound is classed as a separate activity, not part of standard roadside recovery. Most policies exclude recovery following seizure, arrest or police action. They also exclude situations where the vehicle has been removed due to offences such as no insurance or no licence.
When recovery still works, but outside your policy
Even though your breakdown policy will not cover the costs, you can still arrange a recovery truck privately. Pounds normally allow professional operators to collect vehicles once the registered keeper has passed the usual identification checks and paid the fees.
In this scenario, the recovery firm charges its own fee for attending the pound and transporting the vehicle. This is separate from any breakdown cover you already hold. The pound does not negotiate or bill your recovery provider; everything is handled between you and the operator.
Why some drivers assume recovery is included
Policies often use broad language like “we’ll recover your car if it cannot be driven”, which can give the impression that any non-drivable situation is covered. However, the exclusions underneath usually rule out police seizures, legal impounds and vehicles removed under road-traffic powers.
If a policy includes “onward travel” or “home recovery”, these also tend to apply only to breakdown scenarios. Once a car is impounded, the policy conditions no longer apply in the same way, because the vehicle is in custody rather than simply off the road.
Situations where recovery is the only viable option
If insurance cannot be arranged for driving away, the pound may insist on a recovery operator. This applies whether or not your breakdown policy exists, so a private recovery arrangement becomes unavoidable.
Where the vehicle has no MOT, is unsafe or has serious defects, pounds usually prefer recovery anyway. Road-use exemptions for MOT testing do not override pound procedures, and insurers may decline cover until repairs are complete.
What to check before booking a recovery operator
Before arranging a truck, it helps to confirm three things with the pound: their opening hours, whether the registered keeper must attend in person and whether the operator needs to book a slot. Some sites ask for the operator’s details in advance. Others simply instruct the driver to report to the office on arrival.
The pound’s rules always take priority, so checking these points avoids delays or wasted journeys.
Putting everything into a practical conclusion
Standard roadside-recovery cover does not normally extend to impound release. It is almost always excluded because a seized vehicle is held under legal authority, not broken down on the road.
You can still use a recovery truck, but it will be an entirely separate arrangement, paid for privately. Once the keeper’s ID has been checked and fees are settled, pounds usually permit release to a professional operator. After that, the vehicle can be taken home or to a workshop where insurance, MOT or tax issues can be sorted without the pressure of daily storage charges.
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.