When arranging insurance to release a car from impound, the length of cover matters as much as the policy itself. Pounds won’t release a vehicle unless the insurance clearly meets their minimum term requirement — and in most cases, that means more than a single day. Understanding what’s accepted can prevent rejection at the counter and another day’s storage fees added to the total.

The minimum cover required

Most UK police pounds require a minimum of 30 days’ valid insurance before they’ll release a car. This rule exists so the vehicle can be legally driven after collection and recorded correctly on the Motor Insurance Database (MID). A one-day or weekend policy is unlikely to appear on the database quickly enough to satisfy the release criteria, which is why most impound-specific insurers insist on a 30-day term as standard.

Some local authority or DVLA compounds may accept a shorter period, but there’s no national rule. Pound staff have discretion to refuse release if the policy doesn’t meet their requirements or if the documentation is unclear. Always confirm directly with the pound before buying any policy.

Why short-term policies can be rejected

The key issue is database visibility. Police and pound staff check insurance validity via the Motor Insurance Database. A short-term or one-day policy may not appear there until after the release appointment, leaving the staff unable to verify it. Even if the insurer provides a PDF certificate, the pound may still decline it if the wording doesn’t specifically include “release from impound.”

For that reason, specialist impound insurers provide policies that both meet the minimum term and include the required wording. These policies are designed to upload to the MID quickly, often within 24 hours.

What happens after release

Once the vehicle is released, the insurance remains valid for the rest of the policy period. Some drivers keep that policy for the full month, while others switch to an annual policy once the car is safely home and re-taxed. If you take out new cover, remember to cancel the impound policy properly — insurers may charge an administration fee but will usually refund any unused days.

When longer cover makes sense

Even though 30 days is the standard minimum, opting for a slightly longer term can be useful. It gives time to resolve MOT or tax issues and to sort any mechanical problems that stopped the car being used in the first place. A full month of insurance also means you’re protected if the vehicle needs to be moved again or inspected by the authorities.

Final note

Most pounds require impound insurance to last at least 30 days, not just one. Always read the small print, check that the certificate mentions release from impound, and confirm that it will be visible on the MID before booking your release appointment. That small bit of preparation saves wasted trips, extra storage charges, and a great deal of frustration.

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.