Van Impound Release Insurance
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Compare van impound release insurance quotes from the UK’s leading specialist providers including:
Why Compare Impounded Van Insurance Quotes At SimplyQuote?
Because if your van has been seized, the only way to get it back is with the right insurance—and SimplyQuote makes that process fast, legal, and low-stress.
Standard van insurance isn’t built for impound release. In most UK compounds, the authorities require a specific 30-day policy that covers the legal requirements for reclaiming a seized vehicle. Without that, your van stays exactly where it is—accumulating daily storage fees or facing the risk of disposal.
SimplyQuote works with specialist insurers like GoShorty to provide policies designed for this exact purpose. You don’t have to commit to an annual policy or waste time on quotes that won’t be accepted. Instead, you get fast access to valid, compliant cover that allows you to walk into the pound with everything you need to legally retrieve your van.
Whether the vehicle was seized for being uninsured, untaxed, or driven without the correct licence, a tailored 30-day impound policy is the only way forward—and SimplyQuote helps you sort it in minutes.
What is Impound Van Insurance?
It’s a short-term, specialist policy designed to meet the legal requirements for releasing a seized van from a UK police compound.
If your van has been impounded—whether due to driving without insurance, expired tax, or another offence—you can’t just show up with a standard van policy and expect to get it back. Most ordinary policies are either invalid for impounded vehicles or fail to meet the strict 30-day continuous cover requirement set by UK law.
Impound van insurance fills that gap. It’s written specifically to cover seized vehicles for a full 30-day period, with the correct legal formatting and documentation that compounds are instructed to accept. It’s usually third-party only, which is all that’s needed to get your van released and drive it away legally.
Once purchased, your certificate can be presented alongside your ID, proof of ownership, and release paperwork at the pound. Without it, you’ll either be turned away or forced into a costly delay—often with rising storage charges.
It’s not just insurance—it’s your key to getting your van back quickly and legally.
What Does Impound Van Insurance Cover?
It provides the legally required minimum—usually third-party only—to release a van from a UK impound and drive it away legally.
This isn’t a policy designed for long-term business use or fully-featured protection. It exists to meet the legal standard for vehicle release under Section 143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. That means 30 days of continuous insurance, usually with cover limited to third-party liability.
Here’s what’s typically included:
| Cover Type | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Third-Party Liability | Covers injury or damage you cause to others or their property |
| 30 Days Continuous Cover | Required by law—this is non-negotiable for impound release |
| Legally Recognised Format | Certificate issued in a format accepted by UK police compounds |
Some providers, including GoShorty, may offer optional extras like breakdown assistance or legal expenses—but they’re not necessary to retrieve your van. The goal is compliance and immediate release, not ongoing protection for business or private use.
This is a policy designed to do one thing—and it does it legally, efficiently, and without strings.
What’s Not Included?
Impound van insurance is limited in scope. It won’t cover damage to your own vehicle, extra drivers, or anything beyond the legal minimum required for release.
This is not a policy for ongoing business use. It’s a short-term solution designed to help you satisfy legal requirements and retrieve your van from storage—nothing more. Knowing what’s excluded avoids costly mistakes or false assumptions.
What’s usually not included:
- Comprehensive, fire or theft cover – If your van is damaged or stolen, you won’t be reimbursed
- Additional drivers – The policy typically only covers one named driver
- Foreign use – This policy is UK-only; no cover applies outside of the country
- Cover for high-risk or heavily modified vans – Some insurers won’t insure vehicles with significant changes or high performance specs
- Driving without the correct licence – You must hold a valid UK licence or a recognised provisional, depending on the provider
In short: this policy exists to meet the legal bar. If you need broader protection, you’ll need a different policy once your van is released.
Why Might I Need Impound Van Insurance?
Because without the right insurance, your van stays in the pound—and daily storage charges will stack up quickly.
Vans can be impounded for a number of reasons: driving without insurance, tax or MOT issues, or even being driven by someone who wasn’t legally allowed behind the wheel. Regardless of the cause, once it’s seized, you’ll need a policy that’s not just valid—but specifically accepted for impound release.
You might need impound van insurance if:
- Your van was seized while being driven uninsured
- You’ve bought a second-hand van that was already impounded
- You’re reclaiming a work vehicle driven by an employee who broke the terms of your policy
Standard van insurance won’t cut it. Most insurers exclude cover for vehicles in a compound, or they fail to meet the strict 30-day minimum required by the police. This type of policy—offered through providers like GoShorty via SimplyQuote—is created for that exact purpose.
Act fast, get the paperwork in order, and you’ll save yourself mounting fees—or worse, the risk of having the van auctioned or destroyed after 14 days.
How Much Does Impound Van Insurance Cost?
Most 30-day impound van policies cost between £200 and £350, depending on the driver, the van, and the reason it was seized.
This type of insurance is considered high-risk. It’s not priced like a standard monthly policy because it’s typically taken out in urgent situations and often by drivers with a lapse in cover or a history of offences. Still, it’s far more cost-effective than letting your van rack up storage fees—or worse, be scrapped.
Here’s what can affect the price:
| Factor | Impact on Cost |
|---|---|
| Driver’s Age | Under-25s or newly qualified drivers pay more |
| Van Type & Modifications | Large vans or highly modified vehicles may increase risk and cost |
| Licence & Driving History | Convictions, points, or suspended licences all raise premiums |
| Previous Insurance Lapses | If your van was seized due to no insurance, expect a higher quote |
| Where the Van’s Registered | Postcode can influence insurer risk profiling |
As an example, a 35-year-old self-employed driver reclaiming a standard Ford Transit could expect a quote between £210–£250. A 22-year-old with a no-insurance seizure might face something closer to £300–£350.
The faster you act, the more you’ll save in storage costs—which can hit £20–£25 per day on top of the insurance itself.
How Do I Get Impound Van Insurance At SimplyQuote?
You can compare and purchase a compliant 30-day policy in minutes—ready to present at the compound the same day.
SimplyQuote is designed for speed and clarity. You’re not browsing general van insurance or filling in long forms for quotes that won’t be accepted. Instead, we connect you with providers like GoShorty who specialise in short-term impound policies, giving you access to exactly what you need—no more, no less.
Here’s how it works:
- Enter your details – Name, age, licence type, and any relevant driving history
- Input your van’s information – Registration, make and model
- Choose your cover start date – It needs to begin before or on the day you collect your vehicle
- Review your quotes – Only insurers who meet the impound policy criteria are shown
- Purchase online – Once paid, your documents arrive by email—ready for presentation at the pound
With the right paperwork in hand, you can reclaim your van legally and start moving forward again, whether it’s for personal use or to get back to business.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Most standard policies are not accepted. You need a 30-day impound-specific policy designed for release from a UK compound.
Usually within minutes. Once purchased through SimplyQuote, your documents are emailed immediately—ready to use the same day.
Yes. It provides third-party cover for 30 days, allowing you to legally drive the van once released.
In most cases, the policyholder must be the registered keeper or have proof of legal ownership or authority to collect.
No. Most policies are third-party only. They’re created to meet legal requirements for release—not for long-term or full cover.
Some providers may accept provisional licence holders, but terms vary. A full UK licence is more widely accepted.
No. These are single-driver policies for legal and risk reasons.
After 14 days, it may be auctioned or destroyed. Delays cost money—acting quickly is essential.
