Can You Get a Car out of Impound Without Insurance?

Last Updated on May 16, 2021

If your car has been impounded, you may be wondering what your next steps are. To get a car out of an impound lot, you will typically need to present documents proving that you own the car and that you have insurance. If you don’t currently have a policy in place, getting your car out of the lot is going to be much trickier. Here’s what you need to know about impound lots and how to get your car out.

What Is a Car Impound?

When your car is impounded, it is taken out of your possession and towed to a designated impound lot. This is usually done by law enforcement, and there are a number of reasons why they might decide to impound your vehicle. Typically, police will send a car to an impound lot if it is a safety hazard in some way. For example, if you are pulled over and don’t have a valid license, the police may decide to impound your car if there’s no one else readily available to drive it home for you. This can also happen if you are pulled over for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If your car is found abandoned or is parked improperly, the policy may also decide to have it impounded then. The police may also choose to impound your car if they believe it was involved in a crime or contains evidence for an ongoing case.

How Can I Get My Car out of Impound?

There are several steps you’ll need to take in order to get your car out of impound. Although it is inconvenient, it’s important to get the process started as quickly as possible. Impound lots charge fees, and you’ll pay more the longer your car is there. Here are the steps you’ll need to take to get your car back.

1. Start by finding out which impound lot your car is in. Sometimes the police will actively give you this information, but in many cases, you will have to go looking for it. The easiest way to do this is usually to call your city or county government office, as they usually keep records of cars that were impounded. If you were parked illegally and your car was towed, there may be a note or sign where you parked with information about the lot.
2. Find out how long the car must be impounded and if you need to get someone to sign off on its release. In some cases, the car must be impounded for a certain period of time before they will release it back to you. You should also find out if you need to get a release form from law enforcement in order to get the car back. If this is the case, you will need to get in contact with your local police department as soon as possible. Finally, you should ask what you’ll need to bring with you to the lot in order to pick the car up.
3. Collect your documents to have the car released. Usually, the impound lot will require you to bring a very specific set of documents in order to get your car back. Typically, you will need to bring your driver’s license, car ownership papers with your VIN, and proof of your car insurance. If you don’t have these documents, now is the time to start compiling them so you can get your car back as quickly as possible.
4. Confirm the fee for getting your car back and round up the money. Remember that impound lots charge more the longer your car is there, so the sooner you can get it out, the less money you will spend. You should also confirm what type of payment methods the impound lot accepts. If you don’t currently have the money to get the car out, consider your loan and credit options. Borrowing money from a family member or friend is the best option because you won’t have to repay them with interest. However, this is one of the few cases where it makes sense to take out a loan or line of credit and pay the impound fee as quickly as possible. This will prevent the fee from continuing to go up.

What Should I Do If I Don’t Have Insurance?

Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to get your car out of an impound lot if you don’t have an insurance policy. In this situation, the best thing to do is to get an insurance policy as quickly as possible. Although it can be inconvenient, this will actually benefit you in the long run. It is illegal to drive without insurance, and your insurance plan will protect you financially if you get into an accident in the future.

When searching for a car insurance policy, get quotes from multiple insurance providers. Because your car has been impounded already, your options for insurance policies may be limited. However, there are many insurers that are willing to work with drivers that are considered high-risk or have a less than perfect driving history. The best way to find the most affordable policy for you is to shop around. However, when your car is in impound you may not have much time to do this. An easy way to compare policies fast is to work with a local insurance agent who is very familiar with your area. They can help you narrow down your options quickly, and they can also help you navigate the complexities of getting a new insurance policy.

If your car has been taken to an impound lot, it’s important to try to get it back as quickly as possible. This can be challenging if you don’t have insurance but think of it as a good time to get a new policy. Remember that it is illegal to be driving without insurance, and although it may save you money in the short term, it can cause legal and financial problems in the long run.