Yes, it’s possible to insure a high-value car that’s been impounded, but it can be more complicated than insuring an ordinary vehicle. Many insurers set upper value limits for impound policies, often to control risk and prevent fraud. If your car exceeds that limit, you’ll need to use a specialist broker or insurer who’s authorised to handle high-value impound releases.

Why some insurers limit vehicle value

Impounded-car insurance is designed for short-term, high-risk use. Cars are often seized because of expired insurance, licence issues, or uncertain ownership — all of which make insurers cautious. To keep that risk manageable, many providers cap the insured vehicle’s value, sometimes at around £20,000 or £30,000. Vehicles above that range may fall outside their underwriting criteria.

That doesn’t mean you can’t get cover. It simply means you’ll need to find an insurer or broker who can tailor a policy to the vehicle’s value and risk profile. Some specialist underwriters are able to offer one-off cover for prestige or luxury models, but the price will reflect the higher risk.

What documents the insurer will want

For high-value cars, insurers usually ask for more detail before issuing a certificate. You may need to provide:

• the full V5C logbook or finance agreement,
• photographic proof of the car’s condition,
• details of where it will be stored after release, and
• confirmation that the driver holds a full UK licence and has disclosed all convictions.

Without this information, a policy might be refused. Once accepted, the insurer will issue a digital or PDF certificate showing cover for impound release, which can then be presented at the pound.

How premiums are affected

The cost of impound insurance for a high-value car varies widely. Premiums depend on the vehicle’s value, the driver’s record, and the reason for impoundment. Some underwriters may charge several hundred pounds for a short-term policy on a luxury or performance car, reflecting the potential repair or replacement cost. Payment is usually in full, as monthly instalments are rarely offered for short-term cover.

What happens if you can’t get cover

If no insurer will accept the risk, you still have options:

• Ask a specialist broker who deals with seized or high-risk vehicles. They may access underwriters not available to the public.
• Arrange transport by recovery truck instead of driving the car away. You’ll still need basic cover for the journey, but some policies for traders or recovery operators include this.
• If the car is damaged or uneconomical to insure, you can authorise the pound to release it directly to a salvage agent or finance company instead.

Finance and leased vehicles

If the car is on finance or lease, you must get the lender’s written permission before arranging any insurance for impound release. Without that consent, the pound may refuse to release it. The lender might also have to be named as an interested party on the policy.

Final note

High-value vehicles can be insured for impound release, but not all insurers will do it. Expect tighter checks, higher costs, and a limited choice of providers. Using a broker who specialises in impounded or prestige cars is often the fastest route to getting the correct cover — and getting your vehicle back without unnecessary delay or extra storage fees.

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.