30 Day Impound Insurance
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Why Compare 30 Day Impound Insurance Quotes At SimplyQuote?
Because when your car is impounded, you need the right insurance fast—and a 30-day policy designed specifically for vehicle release is the only thing that will get you back on the road legally.
Standard car insurance won’t cut it. To release an impounded vehicle in the UK, authorities require proof of a specialist 30-day insurance policy—one that specifically covers impound situations. That’s where SimplyQuote can help.
We work with a trusted insurer GoShorty who provide short-term impound cover, allowing you to compare legitimate, compliant policies quickly—without being forced into a long-term plan you don’t need. Everything is tailored to help you meet legal requirements and get your vehicle released as soon as possible.
If your car has been seized—whether for driving without valid insurance, tax issues, or other offences—a 30-day impound insurance policy is your next critical step. SimplyQuote makes the process simple, legal, and fast.
Why Do I Need To Get A Quote?
To get a 30-day impound insurance quote, you’ll need your name, driving licence details, the vehicle registration number, and the date you want the policy to start.
Insurers don’t ask for much, but what they do ask for needs to be accurate. These aren’t flexible policies—they’re built around legal requirements, and your details must match the car that’s being released. You’ll need to confirm that you’re legally entitled to reclaim the vehicle, that it’s roadworthy, and that you’re the one who will be driving it away.
Expect to provide:
- Your full name and driving licence number – A valid UK licence is required. Some insurers may accept a provisional licence.
- Vehicle registration – Must be the car currently held in the compound.
- Policy start date – Typically the same day you plan to collect the car.
- Home address and contact details – For policy documents and verification.
- Your driving history – Including convictions, penalty points, and previous insurance gaps.
Some insurers might also ask whether the car has valid tax and MOT. These don’t always affect the quote but will affect your ability to release the vehicle. It’s also important that the name on the quote matches the person collecting the car—don’t assume you can insure it and send someone else.
Getting this right the first time prevents delays—and helps you avoid having to pay additional storage fees while your vehicle remains in the compound.
What Is 30-Day Impound Insurance?
30 day impound insurance is a short-term policy designed specifically to meet the legal requirements for releasing a seized vehicle from a UK impound.
When your car is impounded by the police or DVLA, you can’t simply show proof of your usual annual or temporary car insurance. Most standard policies exclude vehicles held in a compound—or they don’t meet the 30-day continuous cover requirement set out under Section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.
A 30-day impound policy is different. It’s created specifically to provide the level of cover required to retrieve your vehicle. It proves that the car will be insured for a full calendar month from the date of release, giving authorities the legal assurance they need to hand it back.
Once issued, this policy can be used as proof when you visit the impound, alongside your ID, V5C logbook, and any release documents. In most cases, you’ll be able to leave with your car the same day.
It’s not just insurance—it’s the key to getting your vehicle out of storage and back on the road legally.
Looking for impound car insurance? Get your quote today!
Get QuotesWhat Does 30 Day Impound Insurance Cover?
It provides the minimum level of cover needed to release your car from the pound—usually third-party only—but designed specifically for seized vehicles.
Most 30-day impound insurance policies offer third-party cover. This means you’re legally protected for injury or damage caused to other people or their property when driving the vehicle. While it’s not comprehensive insurance, it meets the statutory requirement for releasing your car and driving it away legally.
What’s usually included:
| Cover Element | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Third-Party Liability | Covers injury or damage caused to other road users, vehicles, or property |
| 30 Days of Continuous Cover | Meets the legal release requirement—no short gaps or breaks allowed |
| Policy Accepted by Police/Impound | Specifically worded to satisfy compound release protocols |
Some insurers may offer optional extras, like breakdown assistance or legal protection, but these are not required to get your vehicle released. The main goal of this policy is legal compliance and vehicle recovery—not long-term driving.
Once the car is released, you’re covered for the full 30 days, allowing time to get a permanent policy in place if you plan to keep the vehicle.
What’s Not Included?
30-day impound insurance is designed to meet legal requirements for release—so it won’t include extras, and it won’t cover high-risk or unauthorised use.
It’s not a comprehensive or flexible policy. Its purpose is simple: to get your vehicle out of impound legally. Anything outside of that—whether it’s damage to your own car, additional drivers, or extended features—is likely excluded.
Common exclusions include:
- Comprehensive or fire & theft cover – Most policies are third-party only
- Cover for additional drivers – The policy usually covers only the named individual
- Driving outside UK jurisdiction – Foreign use is rarely permitted
- Unlicensed drivers or suspended licences – The driver must hold a valid UK licence or provisional licence where permitted
- Vehicles with major modifications or high-risk classifications – Some insurers exclude performance cars or modified vehicles
This isn’t the policy to cover everyday use. It’s designed for release and short-term legal driving only. Once the 30 days are up, you’ll need a different type of policy if you plan to keep using the car on public roads.
Why Might I Need 30 day Impound Insurance?
Because if your vehicle’s been seized, standard insurance won’t be accepted—and a specialist 30-day policy is the only way to get it released legally.
There are several reasons a vehicle might end up in an impound: being caught uninsured, untaxed, or driven without the proper licence. In any of these situations, getting the car back means proving it will be legally insured for at least 30 days.
This is where standard insurance often fails. Many providers exclude impounded vehicles altogether or don’t meet the legal release requirements. Even if you try to quickly buy a policy online, it won’t help if the wording doesn’t satisfy what the police or compound need to see.
Common situations that require this type of policy include:
- Your car was seized for driving without insurance or a valid licence
- You’ve recently bought a vehicle that was already in impound
- You’re trying to release a car registered in your name that was driven by someone else at the time of seizure
In each case, a dedicated 30-day impound insurance policy gives you the one thing you can’t negotiate with: legal proof of sufficient, ongoing cover. Without it, your car stays where it is.
How Much Does 30-Day Impound Insurance Cost?
Most 30-day impound policies cost between £200 and £350, depending on your age, driving history, the vehicle, and the insurer’s risk profile.
Impound insurance is more expensive than a typical monthly policy—not because it offers more features, but because it’s high-risk. Insurers know these policies are often taken out in urgent situations, and typically by drivers with a lapse in cover or a previous offence.
That said, prices still vary widely depending on a few core factors:
| Factor | Impact on Price |
|---|---|
| Driver Age | Younger drivers, especially under 25, tend to pay more |
| Vehicle Type & Value | Modified, imported, or high-performance cars often cost more to insure |
| Driving History | Previous convictions, licence points, or insurance gaps increase the premium |
| Policy Type | Most are third-party only—comprehensive cover is rare and more expensive |
| Insurer Requirements | Some charge more based on postcode or vehicle storage during impound period |
For example, a 30-year-old driver with no previous convictions might pay around £220–£250 to retrieve a standard family vehicle. A younger driver with a prior no-insurance offence could see quotes near £300–£350.
With SimplyQuote, you’ll see what’s included before you commit—and avoid overpaying for features you don’t need.
How To Get A 30 Day Impound Insurance Quote At SimplyQuote?
It’s quick, fully online, and designed to get you a compliant policy in minutes—so you can collect your vehicle as soon as possible.
SimplyQuote connects you with specialist insurers who offer short-term impound cover that meets UK legal requirements. The process is designed to be fast, simple, and completely transparent.
Here’s what to expect:
- Enter your details – You’ll need your name, driving history, and UK licence type.
- Add the vehicle info – Provide the registration number of the car you’re retrieving from the pound.
- Set your start date – The policy must begin before you visit the compound.
- Review your quotes – You’ll see insurers who offer valid 30-day policies specifically for impound release.
- Purchase online – Once selected, your policy documents are issued instantly via email.
You can then take those documents—along with ID, proof of ownership, and any paperwork from the police—to the compound. In most cases, you’ll be able to collect your car the same day.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Most standard policies aren’t accepted by police compounds. You need a specialist 30-day policy that meets release conditions.
Usually within minutes. Once you complete your quote and pay, your documents are emailed instantly.
You’ll need your insurance certificate, proof of ID, V5C logbook or proof of ownership, and any paperwork issued by the police or DVLA.
Yes. A 30-day policy provides the legal cover needed to drive the car away—typically third-party only.
The car must be registered to you (or you must have legal right to reclaim it), roadworthy, taxed, and MOT’d.
You won’t be able to use this insurance unless you hold a valid UK licence. Some policies allow provisional licence holders, but not disqualified drivers.
Usually not. These policies are issued for a single named driver only, to reduce risk and simplify legal compliance.
Your cover ends. You’ll need to arrange ongoing insurance if you plan to keep and use the vehicle.
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Written by Chris Richards
Page last reviewed on 26th May 2025 by Chris Richards