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Your rights after a tow in Indiana

Indiana law sets rules for towing from private property, such as apartment complexes and store lots. One set of maximum rates applies across the state. Here is what the law says, in plain English.

Maximum charges in Indiana

Indiana has no dollar cap for private-property tows. The rate is the one in the company's agreement with the property owner, otherwise the local police rate or Indiana State Police district rate. Fees must be reasonable.

The rates below may have changed since this schedule was published. Check the official source before relying on them.

Rates the cap is based on
Charge	Rate
Total storage cap (abandoned-vehicle limit referenced by IC 24-14-8-1)	$2,000.00

See the official rates (opens in a new tab).

Pick your city

Tow-away signs

A commercial property owner who wants to tow must post a tow-away zone sign at the spot that is conspicuous and clearly visible to the public. The towing rules in this chapter do not cover tows from property that is not commercial. IC 24-14-4-1, 24-14-4-2(a) (opens in a new tab)
The sign must say the area is a tow-away zone, give contact information, and describe who is allowed to park there. Indiana sets no minimum letter size, sign count or advance-notice period. IC 24-14-4-2(a) (opens in a new tab)
A city, county or town may pass its own ordinance with different sign rules, so check local rules. A car that is also abandoned can be towed without a sign once the notice-tag steps are followed. IC 24-14-4-2(b)-(c) (opens in a new tab)

If you get back before the tow leaves

If you arrive while your car is being towed, the company must tell you, orally or in writing, that you can pay a release fee of no more than half its normal release fee. After you pay it must release the car and give you a receipt showing both the full fee and what you paid. IC 24-14-4-4 (opens in a new tab)

Where your car can be taken

The car must be taken to a storage lot within 40 miles of the tow-away zone. If none exists that close, it goes to the nearest lot the property owner approved. IC 24-14-4-3 (opens in a new tab)
If the local police or sheriff require it, the tow company must report the tow within 2 hours of finishing. Indiana does not require this report everywhere, so call the non-emergency line to find your car. IC 24-14-4-5 (opens in a new tab)
The company must secure your car and make reasonable efforts to prevent further damage or theft, including to items inside. IC 24-14-4-6 (opens in a new tab)

Getting your car back

After you pay all towing, storage and allowed fees, the company must release the car to a properly identified owner or lienholder. It may not refuse during regular office hours, unless police ordered a hold or litigation is pending. IC 24-14-7-2(a); IC 24-14-9-2(1) (opens in a new tab)
The tow or storage business must be open and reachable by phone during regular office hours, and have a phone number that takes messages 24 hours a day. It must return calls within 24 hours. IC 9-22-1-8(e) (opens in a new tab)
A company may not charge storage for any day on which it did not allow release or inspection during regular office hours. IC 24-14-9-2(3) (opens in a new tab)
You may inspect your car during business hours before accepting release, and the company may not charge an inspection fee or a fee to retrieve items from the car. IC 24-14-7-2(b); IC 9-22-1-8(b) (opens in a new tab)
The company must accept cash, certified check, insurance check and money order. Accepting credit or debit cards is optional, so ask before you go. IC 24-14-7-2(c) (opens in a new tab)
Indiana's towing law says you may not be charged to retrieve items from your car, but it sets no separate schedule for getting belongings out without paying the full bill. IC 9-22-1-8(b) (opens in a new tab)

What they can charge

Indiana sets no dollar cap for private-property tows. The company charges the rate in its agreement with the property owner, or if none exists, the local police rate, or else the Indiana State Police district rate. A city may have its own tow rules. IC 24-14-5-2 (opens in a new tab)
Towing, clean-up and storage fees must be reasonable and may not exceed the storage limit in the abandoned-vehicle law, which caps total storage costs at $2,000 ($2,500 for vehicles 30 feet or longer). IC 24-14-8-1; IC 9-22-1-4(b)-(c) (opens in a new tab)
You can get an itemized invoice within 1 business day of the tow. It must show pickup and drop-off locations, the tow charge, daily storage rate, each other fee with a description, and miles towed. IC 24-14-5-1 (opens in a new tab)
When you pay, the company must give an itemized receipt with that invoice information if it is available. IC 24-14-7-2(d) (opens in a new tab)
A company may not charge more than the fees in its contract with the property owner that ordered the tow. IC 24-14-9-2(5) (opens in a new tab)

Notice and auction deadlines

Within 3 business days of the tow, the company must search the national vehicle title database and then notify the owner and any lienholder that storage is accruing and the car can be sold. If it fails to notify you, it cannot collect storage accruing after that date. IC 24-14-6-1; IC 9-22-1-19 (opens in a new tab)
If you do not appear within 20 days after the notice is mailed, the company may sell the car at public sale or auction. In Indianapolis-Marion County the wait is 15 days. Cars worth more than $3,500 have extra steps before sale. IC 9-22-1-23(b)-(c); IC 9-22-1-21.5(c) (opens in a new tab)

If you think the tow was wrong

To get your car out while disputing the bill, pay 75% of the invoice, show proof of a bond for the other 25%, and give a copy of your Attorney General complaint. The company must then release the car within 24 hours. You must sue within 30 days for a judge to decide what is reasonable. IC 9-22-1-8(g)-(j) (opens in a new tab)
Violations of the towing law are deceptive acts. You can complain to the Attorney General, who must receive complaints and may investigate them. IC 24-14-10-1, 24-14-10-2 (opens in a new tab)
If you paid by credit card, you can dispute the charge with your card issuer. For billing errors, your written dispute generally must reach the issuer within 60 days of the statement. FTC: Disputing credit card charges (opens in a new tab)

Where to complain

Indiana Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division. Receives complaints about towing law violations. No towing-specific form is listed; use the general consumer complaint. Filing a copy also supports the 75% payment-plus-bond release route. File a complaint (opens in a new tab)
Indianapolis non-consensual tow complaints (DBNS). Indianapolis licenses non-consensual tow businesses under Chapter 995. Reported contact for violations is TOWS@indy.gov or 317-327-TOWS (from search snippets, not read on the page). File a complaint (opens in a new tab)

Indiana's small claims docket hears civil claims up to $10,000; you may waive any excess to fit. Marion County uses separate township small claims courts.

Check your tow

Sources

Last checked 2026-10-17. These are the laws and official pages this page is based on.