Can you get a car out of impound without insurance?
Along with required proof of insurance, it will cost money to get an impounded car back. Read on to learn more about getting your car out of impound and how much it will cost you.
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Michael Leotta
Insurance Operations Specialist
Michael earned a degree in Business Management degree with an insurance focus, which led to a successful 25-year career in insurance claims operations and support. He possesses a high-level of business acumen across multiple areas of the insurance industry. Over the course of his career, he served in multiple roles supporting claims operations including: Claims Specialist, Claims Trainer, Claim Au...
Insurance Operations Specialist
UPDATED: Jan 28, 2024
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Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.
UPDATED: Jan 28, 2024
It’s all about you. We want to help you make the right coverage choices.
Advertiser Disclosure: We strive to help you make confident auto insurance decisions. Comparison shopping should be easy. We are not affiliated with any one auto insurance provider and cannot guarantee quotes from any single provider. Our auto insurance industry partnerships don’t influence our content. Our opinions are our own. To compare quotes from many different auto insurance companies please enter your ZIP code on this page to use the free quote tool. The more quotes you compare, the more chances to save.
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Your car can be towed to an impound lot for a plethora of reasons. If you do not promptly remove your vehicle from the lot, your car will likely be sold at an auction. To avoid this, it is important for you to understand the process of repossession and how much it costs for an impounded car.
There are two vital facets to consider while dealing with an impounded car. First, you can’t get a car out of impound without insurance. However, there are ways to handle an impounded vehicle if you do not have insurance at the time of the event. Second, it will cost money to get your car back from the impound lot. How much does it cost for an impounded car? The cost varies depending on the circumstances. Make sure you understand insurance and driving laws to avoid your car being impounded in the first place.
Can I get my car out of impound without insurance?
No. You may not remove your car from an impound lot without insurance. Can your car get repossessed for not having insurance? Your vehicle may have been impounded due to the absence of insurance coverage.
If you do not have insurance, you must obtain temporary auto insurance or at least the minimum liability car insurance required in your state as soon as possible. (For more information, read our “What happens if your car is impounded?“).
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What is required to get a car out of impound?
After your vehicle is taken, you must first find out which impound lot is housing your vehicle. Usually, police will inform drivers of the location and details of the impoundment. However, sometimes police do not notify drivers. In this case, you may call your local department of motor vehicles or parking authority and ask them to search for your car using your vehicle identification number and license plate number.
To successfully get your vehicle back into your possession, you will need to provide the impound lot with your driver’s license and proof of current insurance at a minimum. Ask the impound lot if any other documentation is necessary and how much it costs to pick up your car.
Some state impoundment laws require other conditions to be met before you may pick up your vehicle. For example, some states will not return a vehicle if the owner of the vehicle is not present for the transaction. If you do not own the vehicle, you will probably need documentation asserting that you are an authorized agent of the vehicle owner.
How much does it cost to get a car out of impound?
Unfortunately, you will not be able to get your car out of impound for free. In the rarest circumstances, you may receive free legal help in the case of an unfairly towed vehicle.
Generally, impound fees average from $100 to $1,000, which includes towing and storage. However, the exact cost for an impounded car depends on when and how your vehicle was towed. As a rule of thumb, the longer your vehicle remains at the lot, the more it will cost to remove it.
If you cannot afford to remove your car from impound, you must find an alternative financing option or payment plan. The impound lot housing your vehicle may offer optional payment plans, though this route is not always available for drivers.
What happens if I cannot afford to remove my vehicle from an impound lot?
If you cannot afford to remove your vehicle from the impound lot, you should first ask if they offer payment plans. If the impound lot offers no such plan, you must consider alternative financing options like banking loans.
However, if you have comprehensive insurance coverage, your insurance may cover the cost of your impound fees, especially if your vehicle is at an impound lot due to theft. Contact a licensed insurance agent with your provider to find out if your coverage includes payment of impound fees in the event of vehicle impoundment as the result of theft.
Whatever the case, attempt to remove your vehicle from impound as soon as possible. Depending on the impound lot and state law, your car may get sent to an auction to cover the cost of the vehicle.
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Auto Insurance and Impound Laws
According to the Centers for Disease Control, 22 states currently enforce specific impound laws. So, vehicle confiscation and impoundment rules depend on the jurisdiction in which you reside.
State Vehicle Impoundment and Confiscation Laws
Alabama A vehicle may be impounded if a driver has a revoked license or is driving with a suspended license due to a DWI-related offense. However, the law provides that the vehicle will be released to the registered owner if the offender is not the owner. Further, police can release the vehicle, rather than impounding it, if it is determined that the driving is due to an emergency.
Alaska The municipalities may enact ordinances to impound or confiscate motor vehicles for violations of local DWI offenses or refusal of chemical test laws for first and subsequent offenses. However, these laws are not mandatory.
Arizona Under Arizona’s temporary vehicle impoundment law, the offender’s vehicle may be immediately impounded for 30 days if the driver is arrested for any of the following offenses: (1) DWR for any reason; (2) DWS where the suspension was based on driving under the influence; (3) DWS where the suspension was based on a drunk-driving offense; or (4) DWS where the suspension was based on the frequency of traffic law violation convictions. The vehicle may be released before 30 days if the offender’s driving privileges have been reinstated or if the offender’s spouse enters a five-year agreement with the state to not to allow an unlicensed driver to operate the vehicle.
California California has two vehicle impoundment laws. The first law states that a vehicle owned and driven by an offender may be impounded up to 30 days for a first or second DWI offense and up to 90 days for third and subsequent offenses, if the offense is committed within five years of a prior offense. The second law states that the vehicle owned and driven by the offender may be impounded for up to six months for a first DWI offense and up to 12 months for a subsequent DWI offense.
Connecticut In Connecticut, a vehicle may be impounded for refusing a chemical test, which is a criminal offense and a felony DWI for a third or subsequent DWI offense. An ALR suspension counts as a prior DWI offense. There is also limited vehicle impoundment of 48 hours if a driver is arrested for drinking and driving with a suspended or revoked license.
Washington D.C. The District of Columbia has a limited vehicle impoundment law, under which impoundment is limited to 24 hours. However, the vehicle may be released to a legally licensed driver.
Florida In Florida, the vehicle that is used and owned in a first DWI offense may be impounded for ten days. This action may not be concurrent with probation or imprisonment. For a second DWI offense within five years, the vehicle can be impounded for 30 days. For a third DWI offense within ten years, the vehicle can be impounded for 90 days. This applies to all vehicles owned by the offender and may not be concurrent with probation or imprisonment. However, unlike first DWI offenses, it must be concurrent with the driver’s license revocation. For first, second, and third DWI offenses, these actions are conditions of mandatory probation; however, the court may decide not to order vehicle impoundment if the family has no other means of transportation. There also is a limited vehicle impoundment law for a DWI offense if, at the time of the DWI offense, the offender was driving with a license suspended for a prior DWI offense.
Illinois If the DWI offender is the registered owner, then the vehicle can be impounded for 24 hours for a second DWI offense or 48 hours for a third DWI offense. The vehicle may be released sooner to a competent, licensed driver with the owner’s consent. There also is a limited vehicle impoundment law, under which law enforcement can impound a driver’s vehicle for not more than 12 hours following a DWI arrest. Limited impoundment may be used if the officer reasonably believes that the arrested offender will commit another DWI offense if released.
Iowa For a second or subsequent DWI offense, the vehicle owned and used by the offender can be impounded or immobilized and the license plate seized (and registration confiscated if the vehicle is in custody) by law enforcement authorities. New registration plates are issued only at the end of the driver’s license revocation period or 180 days, whichever is longer.
Kannsas For DWI violations, judges, at their discretion, may order vehicle impoundment or immobilization of the vehicle used in the offense, for up to one year. The offender pays all costs. Judges must take into account hardship to family.
Maine Maine has a temporary vehicle impoundment law. The vehicle used in a DWI offense or for DWS for a prior DWI offense may be seized; however, the vehicle may be released after eight hours.
Maryland The vehicle can be impounded or immobilized (by suspending license plates) for not more than 180 days if the driver’s license is currently suspended for a prior alcohol offense.
Minnesota Under Minnesota’s vehicle impoundment law, a vehicle may be impounded after a DWI arrest and released to the vehicle owner with proof of a valid driver’s license and insurance.
Mississippi For a second or subsequent DWI offenses, all vehicles owned by the offender must be impounded or immobilized at the time of conviction and remain so until the license suspension has expired. If any other person must use the vehicle, an ignition interlock may be required as an alternative to impoundment or immobilization.
Missouri Missouri has a vehicle impoundment or vehicle forfeiture law; however, under Missouri law, cities with populations higher than 100,000 can make their own vehicle impoundment or forfeiture laws. The state law applies to the vehicle operated by the offender regardless of ownership; consequently, the vehicle is subject to impoundment or forfeiture if the driver has had one or more DWI offenses, including illegal per se. The vehicle also can be impounded or forfeited if the offender is driving with a license suspended for a prior DWI offense or for a DWI and involuntary manslaughter offense. Last, the vehicle can be impounded or forfeited if the driver has had two or more DWI offenses (including illegal per se) and, for either offense, had a BAC of 0.08 or greater (0.02 or greater for those under 21) or if the driver has refused to submit to a chemical test under the implied-consent law.
Nebraska An offender who is driving with a license suspended for a prior DWI or an implied-consent conviction may have his or her vehicle impounded for not less than ten days and not longer than 30 days. An offender under 21 may have his or her vehicle impounded if he or she has a BAC of 0.02 or greater.
New Mexico In New Mexico, a vehicle may be immobilized for 30 days if the offender was driving with a revoked license, unless immobilization poses a hardship to the family.
Oregon Vehicle impoundment or immobilization is limited to one year for a second or subsequent DWI offense or for driving with a suspended license. This action is at the court’s discretion and applies to all vehicles owned and used by the offender, even if not used in the offense. The offender must pay the costs of removing, storing, or immobilizing the vehicle.
Virginia Any vehicle used in a DWI offense may be impounded or immobilized for 30 days if the offender was driving with a license suspended because of a prior DWI, an administrative per se violation, or chemical test refusal. In addition, vehicles owned by an offender may be impounded or immobilized for up to 90 days even if the vehicles were not used in the offense. There are family hardship exceptions for households with only one vehicle.
Washington In addition to impounding the vehicle for other possible penalties for driving with a license suspended for a prior DWI conviction, authorities may also impound the vehicle for not more than 30 days on a first offense. For a second offense, the vehicle may be impounded for not more than 60 days or, for a third offense, not more than 90 days.
Wisconsin Wisconsin allows temporary vehicle impoundment as part of the immobilization process. This is not a law. Rather, this policy is used only temporarily and at the discretion of officers in the field.
Wyoming Wyoming allows for temporary vehicle impoundment. An offender’s vehicle may be impounded following an arrest if a sober driver is unavailable.
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Your vehicle may end up in an impound lot because you lack auto insurance or drive without a registered license. Your vehicle may also be towed while you are arrested for a driving infraction or illegally parked. Additionally, your vehicle may be confiscated if the police suspect that it was present during a crime or admitted it as evidence in a criminal investigation.
While there is no such thing as impound insurance, traditional insurance coverage or minimum liability coverage may be enough to get your vehicle out of impound, depending on state law. If you are concerned about the possibility of vehicle impoundment, review your auto insurance policy. The language in your auto insurance policy will be the best indicator of how much, if anything, gets covered in the event of vehicle impoundment.
The Bottom Line: Can you get a car out of impound without insurance?
While impound costs average from several hundred to a thousand dollars, you may not get your car out of impound without auto insurance, regardless of how much money you have in your pocket. If you wish to minimize the risk of losing your vehicle to impoundment, consider investing in auto insurance. If you invest in a full coverage policy, your provider may even cover impoundment fees if your car is ever impounded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a car out of impound without insurance?
The requirements for releasing an impounded vehicle vary depending on the jurisdiction and local laws. However, in most cases, you will need to provide proof of valid insurance before you can retrieve your car from impound. Without insurance, it may be challenging or impossible to retrieve the vehicle.
What is impound insurance?
Impound insurance, also known as impound car insurance or impounded vehicle insurance, is a specialized type of insurance that provides coverage for vehicles that have been impounded. It is typically a short-term policy designed to fulfill the legal requirements for releasing an impounded vehicle.
Why is insurance required to get a car out of impound?
Requiring insurance to retrieve an impounded car serves multiple purposes. It helps ensure that the vehicle owner has a valid and active insurance policy to cover potential damages or liabilities. Additionally, insurance coverage provides financial protection in case of accidents or incidents that may occur during the release process or afterward.
Can I purchase impound insurance after my car has been impounded?
Some insurance companies offer impound insurance policies specifically designed for this situation. However, it’s important to note that impound insurance may come with certain restrictions and requirements. It is advisable to contact insurance providers directly to inquire about their policies and whether they offer coverage for impounded vehicles.
Are there any alternatives to insurance for releasing an impounded car?
Depending on the jurisdiction, there might be alternatives to insurance for retrieving an impounded car. These alternatives could include posting a cash bond, providing a valid driver’s license, paying outstanding fines, or fulfilling other legal requirements specific to your situation. It is essential to check with the impound lot or local authorities to understand the specific requirements in your area.
What happens if I cannot provide insurance to retrieve my impounded car?
If you are unable to provide proof of insurance to retrieve your impounded vehicle, the specific consequences will depend on the jurisdiction and local laws. In many cases, you may be required to secure insurance coverage before the impound lot releases your car. If you are unable to obtain insurance, you may need to explore alternative options, such as seeking assistance from a legal professional or contacting local authorities to understand the potential solutions available in your situation.
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Michael Leotta
Insurance Operations Specialist
Michael earned a degree in Business Management degree with an insurance focus, which led to a successful 25-year career in insurance claims operations and support. He possesses a high-level of business acumen across multiple areas of the insurance industry. Over the course of his career, he served in multiple roles supporting claims operations including: Claims Specialist, Claims Trainer, Claim Au...
Insurance Operations Specialist
Editorial Guidelines: We are a free online resource for anyone interested in learning more about auto insurance. Our goal is to be an objective, third-party resource for everything auto insurance related. We update our site regularly, and all content is reviewed by auto insurance experts.