Yes, in almost all cases you’ll need a UK address to get impounded-car insurance. Insurers use the address to confirm identity, assess risk, and register the policy on the Motor Insurance Database (MID). Without a valid UK address, the application will usually be declined. However, there are a few possible alternatives if you’re visiting from abroad or don’t currently have a permanent UK home.

Why insurers ask for a UK address

Motor insurance in the UK is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and every policy must show a UK correspondence address. This ensures the policyholder can be identified if there’s a claim, and that legal notices can be served if required. It also links the vehicle to a postcode for risk calculation and taxation purposes.

Even temporary or short-term impound insurance policies must meet those rules. The insurer needs to know where the car is normally kept and who is responsible for it. Without that information, the insurer can’t add the policy to the MID, which means the pound would be unable to verify valid cover.

What counts as a UK address

The address doesn’t have to be your permanent residence, but it must be real, traceable, and associated with you. It can be:

• a current home address in the UK;
• a temporary rented address, such as a hotel or short-term tenancy;
• or a friend or relative’s address, if you’re staying there and have their permission to use it for insurance correspondence.

Insurers may ask for supporting evidence such as a recent utility bill, tenancy agreement, or council tax letter. The address must appear on the policy certificate exactly as you provide it, because the pound uses that document as official identification.

Options for non-UK residents

Drivers who live overseas can still recover a car from a UK impound, but the process requires extra care. You’ll usually need to nominate a UK-based driver or agent to collect the vehicle on your behalf. That person must hold a valid licence and provide their own UK address for the insurance policy. The registered keeper can still pay for the policy, but it must name the person actually collecting and driving the car.

Some specialist brokers may consider cover for non-UK residents if there’s a UK address available for correspondence. These cases are reviewed individually and may involve additional checks or higher premiums.

When an address mismatch causes problems

If the address on your insurance certificate doesn’t match your identification or the pound’s records, the vehicle may not be released. Always double-check that the postcode and street match exactly. Even small differences can delay the process or cause the policy to be rejected at the gate.

Alternatives when no UK address is available

If you can’t provide a UK address, the only realistic option is to appoint a UK-based representative to act for you. This could be a friend, family member, solicitor, or motor trader. They may be able to insure and collect the car in their own name with your written consent. Without that local link, insurers can’t lawfully issue cover, and the pound will keep the vehicle until it’s either claimed or disposed of.

Final note

A UK address is essential for arranging impounded-car insurance, because it anchors the policy to an identifiable location and allows legal verification. Non-residents can still often recover a car, but they’ll need a local contact who can insure and collect it. Providing accurate details from the outset avoids delays and ensures the vehicle can be released legally and efficiently.

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.