Many drivers assume their existing car insurance will be enough to release a vehicle from an impound. It seems reasonable — if the car is insured, surely that’s proof of cover. In practice, most standard policies are not accepted for impound release. The reason is simple: the wording on most certificates doesn’t meet the specific legal conditions that the police and pound staff are required to check before handing a car back.

Why ordinary policies are often refused

Normal car insurance is designed for everyday use, not for vehicles that have already been seized. Most insurers specifically exclude cover for cars being held by the police, a local authority, or the DVLA. Even where no such exclusion appears, the policy may still fail to meet the release criteria because it does not prove that the vehicle will remain insured once it leaves the pound. Staff are instructed to reject any certificate that doesn’t clearly show continuous, valid cover for that vehicle.

Another common issue is timing. The pound checks insurance details against the Motor Insurance Database (MID). If the policy hasn’t yet appeared there — which can take several hours or even a day — release may be delayed until the record updates. That’s why impound-specific policies may be designed to upload immediately and show the required wording.

What the pound looks for on a certificate

To approve release, the certificate must include:

• the exact registration number of the impounded vehicle;
• the name and address of the policyholder;
• dates showing current and continuous cover;
• confirmation that the policy allows use for impound release or vehicles held by the police.

If any of these details are missing or unclear, the pound may decline to release the vehicle until a compliant policy is provided. Staff cannot use discretion; they must follow formal guidance set out in the release regulations.

How impound-specific policies differ

Policies created for impound situations are written to satisfy those exact legal requirements. They clearly state that they cover the named vehicle for release from a police or authority compound, and they last for a defined short period — typically 30 days. This ensures that the car is legally insured not only for the drive home but for the following weeks, giving time to arrange a full annual policy.

These policies are usually arranged through specialist brokers familiar with impound releases. The certificate is issued instantly and uploaded to the MID almost immediately, allowing pound staff to verify it without delay.

When a normal policy might be accepted

In limited cases, an existing annual policy may be accepted if it is still active, covers the vehicle by registration number, and contains no exclusion for impound release. The policyholder must be the registered keeper or owner. A printed certificate from the insurer, showing the correct details, may satisfy the pound — but this should always be confirmed in advance to avoid a wasted journey.

Practical approach

• Contact the insurer directly to check if the current policy covers impound release.
• Ask for written confirmation before attending the pound.
• If the insurer says it does not, arrange a recognised impound-specific policy immediately.
• Take printed copies of every document — staff may refuse to accept phone screens alone.

Final note

A standard car insurance policy may look valid, but most are not accepted for releasing an impounded vehicle. The pound needs proof of specific, continuous cover for that car and clear authority for impound release. Checking in advance and obtaining the correct certificate prevents wasted time, extra storage costs, and the frustration of being turned away at the gate.

Check here for more useful information about impounded cars!

Please note: impound rules, collection windows and fee structures are set locally and can change at any time. Details on this site offer a broad outline only and are not guaranteed to match the requirements of any individual pound or authority.