Impounded-car insurance is a specialist product, so the policy length isn’t as flexible as standard car cover. Most insurers set a minimum term, typically between 30 and 90 days, because the policy must appear valid long enough to satisfy police and pound requirements. While it may seem excessive if you only need to drive the car home, that minimum term helps ensure legal compliance and proper database registration.

Why short-term isn’t always accepted

Many drivers hope to buy one-day or week-long policies to save money, but these are rarely accepted for impound release. The reason is that most standard short-term insurance products don’t include the specific wording required by the police for releasing a seized vehicle. A valid policy must explicitly state that it covers an impounded car. Without that confirmation, staff at the pound may refuse release, even if the policy appears genuine.

Typical minimum terms

Specialist insurers usually offer one of two formats:

• 30-day impound policies — the most common option, long enough for the insurer to register the vehicle on the Motor Insurance Database (MID) and for the driver to re-tax or re-insure the car afterwards.
• 60-day or 90-day policies — sometimes used for higher-risk cases, or when the driver intends to keep the vehicle on the road while finding new annual cover.

Anything shorter than this may be rejected at the pound, as it doesn’t allow time for proper database updates or ongoing cover once the car leaves the site.

Why insurers set these limits

Specialist impound insurers design their policies to meet strict verification rules. The Motor Insurance Database can take up to 48 hours to update, so the policy needs to remain active during that period. Setting a one-month minimum term ensures the car remains legally insured while it’s driven away, even if the owner plans to cancel or change the policy later. It also provides a period of stability if the vehicle must undergo an MOT or safety inspection before full road use resumes.

Can you cancel early?

Some providers allow early cancellation, but not all offer refunds once the certificate has been issued. Administrative costs and database updates mean that short use rarely results in a full or partial rebate. It’s worth checking the insurer’s cancellation policy before purchase, particularly if you only need a few days of cover.

Alternatives for longer-term use

If you plan to keep the car once released, switching to a standard annual policy after collection is usually the most practical step. Once the impound-specific cover has served its purpose and all legal checks are complete, you can replace it with regular car insurance that better suits ongoing driving.

Final note

There’s almost always a minimum term for impounded-car insurance — usually one month. That period isn’t arbitrary; it exists so the policy remains valid through the release process and database updates. Even if you only need cover briefly, buying a compliant short-term policy with clear wording is the safest and quickest way to get your car back on the road legally.

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.