Car Seized For No Insurance & How to Get It Back
If your car has been seized by the police for no insurance, there’s a clear process you need to follow to get it back. In short: you’ll need to provide proof of insurance, pay recovery and storage fees, and act quickly, because you usually only have up to 14 days to reclaim your vehicle before it could be destroyed or sold.
Key points
How to Get Your Car Back After It’s Seized
- Get Valid Insurance: Before you do anything else, you must arrange valid insurance. Some insurers won’t cover seized vehicles, so you may need specialist “seized car insurance” or short-term insurance specifically for impounded cars. You can compare impounded car insurance on our site.
- Gather Required Documents: Ensure you have these documents at hand:
- Proof of insurance (showing you’re covered to drive the car)
- Your driving licence
- Proof of ownership (like the V5C logbook)
- MOT certificate (if applicable)
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement, etc.)
- Pay the Release Fees: You can expect to pay a release fee of £150 with storage fees around £20–25 a day for however many days your car is held.
- Visit the Police Pound: Head to the police pound where your car is being stored. Check the location and opening hours before you go, and make sure you bring everything required.
- Collect your Car: Once you’ve shown your documents and paid the fees, you’ll be able to take your car home. Be aware that if your car isn’t taxed, you’ll also need to sort that before driving away, or arrange to transport it legally.
Can I get my car back without insurance?
No. You must have valid insurance in place before the police will release your vehicle.
What happens if I don’t collect my car within 14 days?
It could be destroyed or sold at auction and you might still be charged storage and disposal fees.
What if someone else was driving my car uninsured?
Even if someone else was at fault, the registered keeper is responsible for ensuring the vehicle is insured.
Is seized car insurance expensive?
It can be, because insurers view seized vehicles as higher risk. Always compare seized car insurance quotes to get the best deal.
In Summary
- You need valid insurance before collecting a seized car
- You must provide ID, proof of ownership, and pay release and storage fees
- You have 14 days to reclaim your vehicle before it could be scrapped or sold
- Specialist seized car insurance may be needed
- You can check the police website for any guideline changes
Getting your car back after a seizure isn’t impossible, but acting quickly, staying organised, and sorting out proper insurance are key to getting it sorted with minimum hassle.
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