What is impounded car insurance?
This guide is for informational purposes only. We do not currently offer impounded car insurance at MoneySuperMarket.
Key takeaways
To retrieve an impounded you need to have impounded car insurance cover
Most standard car insurance policies do not include impounded car insurance, but you can buy specialist short-term policies
You will also need to bring proof of identity and vehicle ownership, and pay release fees
What is impounded car insurance?
Impounded car insurance, sometimes also known as compound car insurance, is a specific type of car insurance designed to provide cover for the retrieval of a vehicle seized by a government authority.
In most cases, you will not be allowed to collect your car from an impound lot without it.
Will my existing car insurance policy cover me if my car is impounded?
Probably not. Impound insurance is not covered by most car insurance policies as standard, so you will probably need to take out specialist cover.
Often these policies are issued for short durations (e.g. 7–30 days), and only provide minimal third-party cover.
How do I get my car back if it's been impounded?
To retrieve your impounded car, you will need to:
locate your vehicle
pay all fees
show documentation including proof of insurance
comply with any other requirements set by the impounding authority
How do I know if my car has been impounded?
You should receive a notice letter from whoever is holding your vehicle with instructions on how to reclaim it.
If you haven't, you can call the police on the non-emergency 101 number to find out.
If you think your car was seized because of unpaid car tax, you can also call NSL, the company that enforces car tax rules on the DVLA's behalf. Their number is 0343 224 1999.
If you live in London, you can use the Towed Vehicle Tracing Service (TRACE). You can text TRACE and your vehicle registration number to 66663 or call them directly on 0300 077 0100.
What documents do I need to get my impounded car back?
Valid photo ID
You will need to supply proof of identity. Accepted documents include:
passport
driving licence
EU national identity card
immigration document
Freedom Pass
CitizenCard
Digital Tacho card
Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) card
a recognisable and verifiable government agency identification card, such as identification cards provided to members of the armed forces and veterans
🚩 Student IDs, debit and credit cards and work IDs are not accepted
Driving licence
You must have a valid driving licence. If you have a photocard UK driving licence, this can also be your proof of identity.
If your driving licence was not issued in the UK, you must bring extra documentation:
EU/EEA driving licence - your passport or identity card
non-EU/EEA driving licence - your International Driving Permit or official translation, plus your passport or other evidence of your immigration status
If you are a provisional licence holder, you must bring with you a person who meets the following criteria:
21 and over
qualified to drive the impounded car
held a full driving licence for at least three years, issued in the UK, the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein
You must also have L Plates on the car before it can be released (you can bring these with you.)
Proof of ownership
You must be able to prove you own the impounded car. Accepted proof includes:
V5C + proof of address - the log and current vehicle registration logbook (V5C) must be in your name, showing you as the registered keeper, and match your proof of address
V5C/2 + bill of sale - the new keeper supplement (V5C/2) must be unaltered and in date, and your proof of name and address must match the bill of sale
DVLA verification email - confirming a change to the registered keeper
Proof of impounded vehicle insurance
You will need to show a certificate of insurance that covers the release of a vehicle impounded by a government authority.
You can show a physical or electronic copy of the insurance certificate. Your insurer can also email the authority that is holding your vehicle directly.
🚩 Cover from public liability or home insurance policies is not accepted.
Proof of MOT
This can be either:
a valid MOT
evidence of a pre-booked MOT appointment
You do not need to provide this if the vehicle is being removed on a recovery truck or if it is MOT-exempt.
How much does it cost to release my car from the impound lot?
It will depend on the type of vehicle you have, why it was impounded and the particular impound lot it is being held in.
The UK government set new baseline fees for impounded vehicles in 2023. The fees for most cars (under 3.5 tonnes) are below:
Charges for removal of the vehicle
Where car was removed from | Car condition | Fee |
|---|---|---|
On road | Upright and not substantially damaged | £192 |
On road | Not upright, substantially damaged or both | £320 |
Off road | Upright and not substantially damaged | £256 |
Off road | Not upright, substantially damaged or both | £384 |
Charges for the storage of the vehicle
Time period | Fee |
|---|---|
Each 24 hours | £26 |
You can see the fees for heavier cars and two-wheel vehicles on the UK government website.
Do I have to pay impound fees if my car was lost or stolen?
It depends on the local police authority. Some, like the City of London Police, will waive the fees if the reason your car was impounded is that it was lost or stolen. Others still charge the fees.
If you have fully comprehensive or third party, fire and theft car insurance, your insurer may cover impound fees alongside the other costs associated with your car being stolen.
🚩 Don't collect your stolen car from the pound without first informing your insurer. They may want to carry out inspections before they'll cover you to drive it again.
How long do I have to retrieve my impounded car?
Usually 7 - 14 days, depending on the authority who has impounded it. After this time limit is up, your vehicle will be disposed of. You will be charged a disposal fee, which is £96 for cars.
If you want your car but think you won't be able to make the deadline you should contact the local authority that is holding your car.
You will be charged for every day your car is impounded, so it's generally a good idea to collect it as soon as possible.
Do I need to collect my impounded car in person?
You should check with the government authority who impounded your car.
Many will allow you to nominate someone else to collect the car on your behalf but will require extra documentation such as a signed authority letter authorising them to collect your vehicle.
Can I drive an impounded vehicle home?
Yes, if it is roadworthy and meets any other safety conditions the impounding authority has imposed. It is strongly recommended that you have the car assessed by a professional if it was in a collision or was stolen.
If the car can't be driven, won't start or has been issued with a PG9 prohibition notice (an official document stating the vehicle has serious defects), you must generally arrange for it to be collected by a vehicle recovery operator. You will need to pay for this yourself.
Most impound lots do not allow you to make repairs while at the pound, even minor ones like changing tyres.
Can I decide not to collect my impounded car?
Yes, but you must still contact the public authority who impounded your car, provide proof that you own the car and pay a disposal charge, which is currently set at £96 for cars and light vans. This is called disclaiming a vehicle.
You cannot sell or transfer ownership of a vehicle while it is impounded.
Can I collect my property from a seized car?
Yes, you can generally take personal property out of an impounded car without collecting the car itself. The exceptions would be if the vehicle is too badly damaged to enter or if the items could be considered part of the car itself. You wouldn't be able to take alloy wheels or audio systems out, for example.
You will need to prove you own the car to collect property from it. If other people had property in the car or are collecting property on your behalf you will generally need to provide them with a signed letter of authority to take to the pound.
Can I collect my impounded car if I'm not the car’s registered keeper?
You should be able to collect the car if you are in contact with the car's registered keeper and they can provide you with an official document giving you permission.
If you are not able to contact the car's registered keeper and cannot prove you own the car then getting the vehicle back may be tricky. Contact the police or a lawyer for help.
Who can impound or clamp my car?
Your car can be seized and impounded by public authorities such as:
Police
DVLA (a contractor called NSL works on their behalf)
Local authorities (councils)
Courts (via bailiffs or fines enforcement officers)
🚩 The 2012 Protection of Freedoms Act made it illegal for private companies to clamp or impound vehicles in Great Britain (unless instructed by a lawful authority).
Why are cars impounded?
A vehicle could be impounded in the UK if it was:
Stolen and recovered by the police
Involved in a crash
Causing a blockage or obstruction on the road
Parked illegally
Used for criminal behaviour
Driven in a dangerous or anti-social manner
Abandoned or broken down
Uninsured
Unpaid road tax
Driven by someone without a licence
Can my car be impounded for not having valid insurance?
Yes, if you are driving without insurance your car may be seized by the authorities. You’ll need to take out cover in order to get it back.
Can my car be clamped or impounded if I don’t pay car tax?
Yes. If your car has been clamped or impounded as a result of you not paying car tax, you will need to pay your car tax in full or pay a surety fee before you can reclaim your vehicle.
A surety fee works like a deposit. You can get it refunded if within 14 days you provide proof that your car is either taxed or you've taken out Statutory Off-Road Notification (SORN).
The surety fee for motorcycles, cars and small vans is £160.
What do I do if my car is clamped?
The authorities who clamped your car should tell you who to call to get the clamp removed. For example, when the DVLA clamps a car for unpaid car tax, they leave an INF32 leaflet on the vehicle.
To unclamp your car, you will need to:
Pay any outstanding taxes or debts you owe, or pay a deposit called a surety fee
Provide ID, proof you own the vehicle and proof the vehicle is insured
Pay the clamping fees
🚩 If you try to remove the clamp yourself you could be prosecuted for damage and theft.
How much are clamping fees?
It currently costs £100 to release your vehicle from a clamp if you pay within 24 hours.
If you wait more than 24 hours and the vehicle is removed to a pound, the release fee is £200 plus a daily storage fee of £21. Your vehicle could be disposed of if it is not claimed within a few days.
Can I get impounded car insurance with MoneySuperMarket?
MoneySuperMarket doesn’t offer a comparison service for impounded vehicle cover. You may have to look for a specialist provider.
But you can compare car insurance policies with us for when your car is released. Many drivers will see their premiums rise after their car has been impounded. Comparing quotes can help you find the best deal possible and make sure you're not paying more than you need to.
Author
Mehdi Punjwani
Insurance specialist
Mehdi is a financial writer and editor with over six years of experience in personal finance. He has written for organisations and publications including Equifax, The AA, and USAToday, covering a...
Reviewer
Beth Leslie
Senior Insurance Content Editor
Beth is an experienced writer and editor who specialises in financial and economic content. She is currently the Senior Insurance Content Editor for MoneySuperMarket. Beth is passionate about making...
