Young drivers can sometimes get impounded car insurance, but it’s far from guaranteed. Many insurers set strict minimum age limits, often refusing cover for anyone under 21 or 23. Even where it is available, the premiums are usually much higher than average because of the increased risk profile associated with younger or newly qualified drivers.

Typical age restrictions

Most UK impound insurance providers accept drivers aged between 21 and 75. Some will quote for those aged 19 or 20, but only with clean driving records and UK addresses. If you’re under 21, your options narrow sharply — standard short-term insurers and comparison sites rarely handle impound cases for that age group. A handful of specialist brokers may still arrange cover, but it often requires a phone application rather than an online quote.

Drivers under 18 cannot legally hold car insurance in their own name, so if a vehicle was seized while being driven by someone of that age, an older, fully licensed driver must arrange the impound policy and collect the car instead.

Why insurers limit younger drivers

Insurance pricing is based on risk, and younger drivers statistically make more claims. When a vehicle has already been impounded, the perceived risk rises further. From an insurer’s point of view, there’s greater chance of the car being driven without proper documentation or of past offences such as no insurance or licence issues. Those factors make many companies unwilling to take on young applicants for impound-related cover.

Where policies are offered, the premiums are higher to offset this risk. A 30-day impound policy for a 22-year-old might cost twice as much as the same cover for a driver in their forties.

What young drivers can do

If you’re under 25 and need impound cover, the best approach is to:

• contact a specialist impound insurer directly rather than using comparison sites,
• have your driving licence and conviction details ready for checking,
• use a UK address for correspondence, and
• ensure the car is in your name or that you have written permission from the registered keeper.

Some insurers may only offer cover if the car is recovered by truck rather than driven away, especially for younger or newly qualified drivers.

Alternative options

If no insurer will accept a young driver, the registered keeper can authorise someone older — such as a parent, relative, or friend — to collect the car instead. That person must have valid impound insurance and bring both their own ID and written permission from the owner. This arrangement is perfectly legal as long as all documentation matches and the policy clearly lists the driver and vehicle.

Final note

Young drivers may be eligible for impounded car insurance, but the choice of insurers is limited and the cost is higher. Age restrictions exist because of higher claim rates, not discrimination. With the right preparation — or help from a trusted older driver — it’s still possible to get a seized car released quickly and lawfully.

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.