If you’ve had your vehicle impounded by the police, it can be a stressful and time-consuming experience to get it back. Navigating insurance requirements, payment of fees, and understanding regulations can often become overwhelming.
At Release My Vehicle, we specialise in helping individuals reclaim their vehicles from police pounds, including the Charlton police car pound, by offering a streamlined, professional service. This blog will guide you through everything you need to know about getting your vehicle out of a police pound, insurance requirements, and how we can help you every step of the way.
Are Month-by-Month Insurance Policies Accepted by Police Pounds?
Yes, generally the Charlton car impound police works on a month-by-month insurance policy. This type of insurance operates similarly to an annual policy, primarily because it renews every month. This is an ideal option for individuals who need flexibility in their insurance coverage but still meet the requirements to retrieve a vehicle from a police pound.
However, it is crucial to understand the difference between a month-by-month policy and short-term motor insurance policies, which last between 1 and 30 days. These short-term policies are not acceptable for recovering a vehicle from a pound, as they cannot be extended beyond their brief duration. Therefore, to avoid any issues, ensure you have a month-by-month or annual policy before attempting to reclaim your car.
Why Do I Need Impound Insurance?
Many people mistakenly believe that if they have a friend or family member with a comprehensive car insurance policy that allows them to drive other people’s vehicles, this will suffice for recovering a vehicle from the police pound. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Almost every insurance policy that covers driving vehicles you don’t own includes a clause prohibiting the use of such coverage for vehicle recovery from a pound.
You must reclaim the vehicle with your insurance. If this is not feasible, our team can assist by recovering your vehicle for you. Our team is fully equipped to handle vehicle recoveries from the Charlton police car pound and transport them safely to your desired location.
How We Help to Reclaim Your Vehicle from the Charlton Car Pound
At Release My Vehicle, we provide comprehensive impounded car recovery services to assist you in reclaiming your seized vehicle. Here’s how the process works:
Documentation: In order to reclaim your vehicle, you must provide:
- A valid driving licence
- Proof of insurance (meeting the requirements of the Charlton Police Pound)
- Ownership papers (such as the vehicle’s logbook)
If someone is collecting the vehicle on your behalf, they will need to provide:
- A letter of authority signed by you
- Their valid driving licence
- Proof of insurance and entitlement
- Payment of any required fees
Vehicle Recovery: We offer a complete recovery service, meaning if your vehicle is not roadworthy or you cannot drive it out yourself, we can transport it on your behalf. Our team has experience collecting vehicles of all kinds, including those that have been issued with a PG9 Prohibition Notice (for being unroadworthy), those involved in accidents, or those seized for other legal reasons.
Third-Party Collection: Our car recovery from police compound services is designed to help individuals who cannot personally collect their vehicle from the pound. Whether the issue is insurance-related, time constraints, or simply convenience, we can act as an intermediary to recover and transport your vehicle.
Common Reasons for Vehicle Impoundment
Your vehicle may have been taken to the Charlton police pound for several reasons, including but not limited to:
- Lack of Insurance: Under Section 165A of the Road Traffic Act, vehicles driven without valid insurance are subject to seizure.
- No Valid MOT: Vehicles that have expired MOTs and are not roadworthy may be impounded.
- Accidents and Collisions: If your vehicle was involved in an accident, it might be taken to the pound as part of an investigation.
- Crime-Related Issues: Vehicles involved in criminal activities can also be seized by the police.
- Anti-Social Behaviour: If your vehicle has been driven in a manner that causes alarm, distress, or pain, it may be impounded.
- Obstruction or Danger: Illegally parked vehicles that pose a risk to public safety can be taken to the pound.
No matter the reason, we are equipped to assist in recovering your car, van, or other vehicle from the pound.
What Happens if Your Vehicle is Deemed Unroadworthy?
If your vehicle has been issued a PG9 Prohibition Notice, or if it is deemed unroadworthy by the pound staff, you will need to arrange for a recovery service at your own expense. Fortunately, our team specialises in recovering vehicles in any condition, ensuring that even if your car cannot be driven, we can still collect it and transport it safely.
Reclaiming vs. Disclaiming Your Vehicle
If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of getting your car back, you can choose to disclaim it. This process involves attending the pound to pay any statutory charges, providing proof of ownership, and signing a disclaimer form. Once disclaimed, the vehicle will be disposed of, and you will not be responsible for any additional storage or disposal costs.
However, it’s important to remember that even if you choose not to reclaim your vehicle, you are still responsible for any Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs) issued before or during its time in the pound.
How Much Will It Cost?
The costs associated with retrieving your vehicle from the Charlton police car pound depend on various factors, including the type of vehicle and its condition. For your convenience, we’ve a breakdown of the key fees you’ll need to be aware of:
Removal Charges:
- Cars and light vans (on the road and not substantially damaged): £192
- Off-road vehicles (not upright or damaged): £200 to £320
- Heavier vehicles cost more
Storage Costs:
- Motorcycles: £13 per day
- Cars and light vans: £26 per day
- More for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes: £32 to £45 per day
Disposal Charges:
- Motorcycles: £64
- Cars and light vans: £96
- Larger Vehicles (Up to 3.5 tonnes): £128 to £192
These fees can add up quickly, especially if the vehicle remains in the pound for an extended period. It’s crucial to act swiftly, and with our help, we can ensure your vehicle is recovered as soon as possible, minimising these costs.
Why Release My Vehicle is Your Right Choice?
Because we offer a professional, hassle-free solution for recovering vehicles from police pounds. We work as brokers to facilitate the recovery process, liaising with police pounds like Charlton and ensuring that all the necessary documentation, insurance, and payments are in order. With our experienced team handling the complexities, you can have peace of mind knowing your vehicle will be safely returned to you.
- Experience: Our team has extensive experience working with police pounds and vehicle recovery.
- Efficiency: We work quickly to minimise storage fees and other costs.
- Full Service: From documentation to transportation, we handle everything for you.
Key Takeaways for Car Pound Recovery
Navigating the complexities of vehicle recovery from the Charlton police car pound can be overwhelming. Whether your car was seized due to insurance issues, roadworthiness concerns, or legal matters, we are here to assist you. With our expert services, we ensure that the process is as smooth and efficient as possible, saving you time, effort, and unnecessary costs.
Contact us for a personalised vehicle recovery solution. Let us handle the hard work, so you can get back on the road swiftly and with confidence.
Contact Us
For more information or to start the recovery process, contact Release My Vehicle today. We understand how important your vehicle is. Trust us to get it back from the Charlton Police Pound.