Yes — both age and convictions can make a big difference to the cost of impounded car insurance. These policies already carry higher premiums than standard motor insurance because they apply to vehicles that have been seized by the police or DVLA. Add a conviction or a young driver into the mix, and the price usually rises even further. Understanding how insurers judge risk helps explain why.

Why age matters

Insurers use statistics to estimate how likely a driver is to make a claim. Younger drivers — especially those under 25 — are statistically more likely to be involved in collisions, so premiums for them are higher across all types of insurance. With impound cases, that difference becomes sharper. Many younger drivers are caught driving without insurance or on provisional licences, and insurers view those as high-risk profiles. As a result, some providers won’t offer impound cover at all to drivers under a set age, often 21 or 23.

At the other end of the scale, very new licence holders of any age may also face higher costs. Insurers look at driving experience as much as age, so someone who passed their test only recently might be quoted a similar rate to a younger driver.

How convictions affect pricing

Convictions — particularly for motoring offences — have a direct impact on premiums. Insurers see them as evidence of behaviour that increases future risk. Common examples include:

• IN10: driving without insurance,
• DR10: driving under the influence,
• SP30: speeding offences, and
• CU80: using a mobile phone while driving.

Any of these can push the cost of impound insurance up sharply. The more recent or serious the offence, the greater the effect. Some underwriters simply decline cover altogether if there’s an active ban or pending prosecution.

Multiple offences and previous impounds

Drivers with multiple convictions or a past history of impounded vehicles will usually face the steepest costs. Each prior offence increases perceived risk, and insurers price accordingly. Even non-motoring convictions can affect eligibility if they appear relevant to trust or honesty, since insurance relies on full disclosure.

Failing to declare convictions is never worth the risk. If the insurer later discovers undeclared offences, they can void the policy — leaving the driver uninsured and unable to reclaim the car from the pound.

Finding affordable cover

Despite higher costs, drivers with convictions or limited experience can still find valid impound insurance through specialist brokers. These companies handle non-standard cases every day and can issue compliant certificates quickly. Premiums remain higher than average, but arranging the right policy early prevents mounting storage fees that can easily cost more than the extra insurance premium itself.

Final note

Both age and driving history strongly influence the cost of impounded car insurance. Younger drivers and those with convictions usually pay more, while clean, experienced motorists are quoted less. Insurers use these details to assess risk, not to penalise individuals — and being open about your record ensures you receive legitimate cover that the pound will accept without delay.

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.