specialized for vehicle insurance
Impound insurance is a specialized type of vehicle insurance required to release a car from a police impound. Most car insurance policies don’t meet the requirements for impounded vehicles, which is where impound insurance comes in.
How long will you need it?
Policy start date
Leading impound specialist. We quote online and over the phone.
We cover most scenarios, licences and allow named drivers if suitable
Fast and secure documents, ernailed or accessed through your portal
Temporary impound insurance allows you to release your car quickly and easily.
When a vehicle is impounded, it is typically taken by the police or local authorities after being involved in a legal infraction such as driving without insurance, without tax, or being abandoned. Once the vehicle is impounded, it is held in a secure facility, and the owner loses possession until the relevant issues are resolved. This period can vary depending on the reason for the seizure and how quickly the necessary steps are taken to resolve the situation. In most cases, the vehicle is only released once the authorities are satisfied that any legal requirements are met, which may include paying fines, providing proof of insurance, or rectifying any issues that led to the impoundment. Additionally, vehicles that remain unclaimed for a specific period may be sold or disposed of according to local regulations.
If your vehicle is impounded, you must act quickly. Typically, you have 7 to 14 days to reclaim it before it may be disposed of or auctioned. Contact the police or the impound lot (you’ll usually receive a notice or can call 101 to find out where your vehicle is). You’ll need to provide valid proof of identity, vehicle ownership (V5C logbook), insurance, MOT certificate, and pay any release fees and storage charges.
If your vehicle was seized due to driving without insurance or other offences, you’ll need to obtain valid insurance (impound insurance) that allows for the recovery of an impounded vehicle since standard policies often don’t cover this. Once you've gathered all required documents and payment, go to the designated pound during opening hours to reclaim your vehicle. If you don't want the car back, you may still be liable for storage or disposal fees.
Releasing your vehicle from the impound
Social, Domestic & Pleasure driving for the period of 30 days
Damages to any third-party vehicles
Driving in the UK
Additional drivers – we can only cover the driver named on the policy who must be the owner of the impounded car
Commuting, business use, or hire or reward driving
Car modifications
Exporting the car
Limitless Cover collaborates with a panel of insurers to offer comprehensive car insurance coverage. As a result, the full details of your cover may vary based on your chosen insurer. With our impound car insurance policies lasting 30 days, you’ll enjoy the flexibility to decide your car’s next step after recovery - whether selling it, declaring it SORN, or returning it to the road. Please review the policy wording carefully before purchasing.
Want to check eligibility criteria for temporary car insurance? Here's everything you need to know:
For full UK driving licence holders, you'll need to be aged 17-70 to use Limitless Cover and have held your licence for over a day if you are a newer driver
If you're a provisional licence holder you'll need to be aged 17-50 and not have held your licence for over 15 years
To use Limitless, you can either use a UK licence or use a full driving licence from Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland or any other foreign country
Be at most 60 years old (if you're driving a car on a full licence) or at most 40 years old (for learner licences, or vans)
Be worth less than £300,000 (cars), or be worth less than £200,000 (vans/commercial vehicles)
Meet our modification rules. We accept lots, including any to aid a disability, but there are some we can't insure
Meet our insurance group requirements
Not be scrapped
Impound insurance is a temporary policy (minimum 30 days) designed to release a vehicle from a UK impound lot, often required if your car was seized for lacking insurance, unpaid tax, or other violations. It provides third-party liability to meet legal requirements for vehicle release.
Contact our team or use our online quote tool. Provide your details, the vehicle’s registration, and the impound notice details. Select a 30-day policy, pay upfront, and receive instant electronic insurance certificates via email to present at the impound facility. Coverage starts immediately for same-day collection.
Our impound insurance offers third-party only cover, protecting against damage to other vehicles or property in an accident. It meets legal requirements for impound release but excludes commuting, business use, or pre-existing vehicle damage. Comprehensive options may be available upon request.
Drivers aged 17 and up with a valid UK licence are eligible, including those with convictions. The policy must be in the name of the person collecting the vehicle, matching their driving licence exactly. Disclose all penalty points to ensure validity.
Without valid insurance, you cannot retrieve your vehicle. If unclaimed after 7 days (plus 7 days to collect), the police may sell or destroy your vehicle. Act quickly to avoid storage fees (e.g., £20-30/day) and potential loss.
Yes, you can purchase an additional 30-day policy if needed via your customer portal, subject to underwriting approval. Contact us before your current policy expires to arrange an extension and avoid gaps in coverage.
Yes, it is possible to obtain impound insurance even if you hold a provisional driving licence. However, it's important to note that eligibility for impound insurance with a provisional licence may vary depending on the insurer and their specific requirements. Some insurance providers may impose certain restrictions or additional criteria for drivers with provisional licences when offering impound insurance. Factors such as age, driving experience, and other individual circumstances may be considered in the evaluation process.