Start here
Quick, low-risk steps
- Move to a safe location away from traffic and call emergency services if there are injuries or hazards.
- Record the exact address, lot owner, and any posted signs before leaving the property.
- Contact the property manager or local police to find out which towing company has your vehicle.
- Write down the towing company name, storage location, and any reference number they provide.
- Ask for a written itemized bill and note all charges before paying or signing anything.
Where to Find Indiana Towing Rules
The official Indiana Code index identifies Title 24, Article 14 as Towing Services. Open the current official material and check its publication and amendment information. This page does not interpret any section or determine whether it applies to a particular tow; take those questions to an appropriate authority or lawyer.
The Indiana Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division offers general consumer information and a complaint process. They cannot give you legal advice or act as your private attorney, but they can explain how to file a complaint if you believe a towing company violated the law.
- Visit the Indiana General Assembly website and search for Title 24, Article 14.
- Read the current headings, definitions, scope, and update information.
- Check the official website for the exact city or county for additional towing information.
- Contact the Indiana Attorney General's office for consumer alerts or complaint forms.
- Ask a lawyer to interpret the law for your exact situation.
What to Do Immediately After a Private Property Tow
If you return to find your vehicle gone, record the exact location and safely photograph any visible notices. Ask the property contact whether the vehicle was removed. Follow the local public-safety agency's published instructions for checking a removed or missing vehicle; use an emergency line only for an immediate danger or crime in progress.
Independently verify the identity and location of any towing business before sharing information or paying. Ask for the storage address, an itemized written invoice, accepted payment methods, access instructions, and the name of the person providing the information. Record the time of the call.
- Check for signs at every entrance you may have used.
- Use the local agency's published non-emergency process to check a removed or missing vehicle.
- Ask the towing company for an itemized bill before you go to the lot.
- Take a photo of any sign that was posted at the property.
- Do not sign a release or waiver without reading it carefully.
Understanding Towing Charges and Your Options
Do not assume that a generic online list establishes what you owe. Request a dated, itemized invoice and ask the business to identify the written policy, authorization, contract term, or current official rule it relies on for each line. Ask how continuing storage or access timing affects the total before deciding what to do.
This page cannot advise whether to pay, sign, refuse, or dispute a charge. Preserve the invoice, photographs, notices, and communications. The Indiana Attorney General publishes consumer information and a complaint process but cannot act as your private attorney or give legal advice; consult a lawyer for advice about your facts.
- Request a written, itemized invoice before paying.
- Ask what written authority or agreement supports each line item.
- Request a dated receipt and keep a copy of everything you sign.
- Take photos of your vehicle's condition before driving away.
- Contact the Indiana Attorney General for guidance on filing a consumer complaint.
Questions to Ask a Lawyer or Official Agency
Because this guide cannot give legal advice, you should prepare specific questions for a qualified professional. A lawyer can tell you if the tow was proper, whether the fees were lawful, and what remedies you might have. The Indiana Attorney General's office can explain how to file a complaint but cannot represent you.
When you call or write, be ready to provide the date, time, location, towing company name, and a copy of the bill. The more details you have, the better they can help you understand your options.
- Was the required notice posted at the property?
- Did the towing company follow all state and local procedures?
- Are the fees within any legal limits?
- What is the deadline to file a complaint or lawsuit?
- Can I recover my costs if the tow was improper?
Take this with you
Evidence and scope checklist
- Exact address and name of property owner or manager
- Photos of all posted signs at the property
- Towing company name, phone, and storage yard address
- Itemized bill showing hookup, mileage, storage, and other fees
- Police report or incident number if you called law enforcement
- Written notes of every conversation with dates and names
- Copy of any receipt or release you signed
- Current Indiana Code sections cited by the towing company
Common questions
What homeowners ask next
Can a private property owner tow my car without warning?
This page cannot determine that. Open the current official Indiana material, check the exact location's official information, preserve any visible notice, and ask an appropriate authority or lawyer how the current rules apply to your facts.
How do I dispute a towing bill I think is too high?
Preserve the itemized invoice, photographs, notices, and communications. Ask the business for its written dispute process. The Indiana Attorney General publishes a consumer complaint process, while a lawyer can advise you about payment, deadlines, and options for your facts.
Where can I read the actual Indiana towing law?
The Indiana General Assembly website has Title 24, Article 14. You can read the full text there, but it may be complex. Consider having a lawyer review it for you.
Evidence
Sources used for this guide
Research checked July 31, 2026
- Indiana Code Title 24, Article 14 — Towing ServicesIndiana General Assembly
Official Indiana Code index identifying Article 14 as Towing Services. Readers must open and verify the current sections, amendments, scope, and applicability; this registry summary does not establish an individual right or outcome.
- Consumer Protection DivisionIndiana Attorney General
Official consumer education and complaint information. The office states that it cannot act as an individual's private attorney or provide legal advice.
Optional next step
Need an on-site professional?
Use the guide and worksheet first so you can describe the situation and compare the full scope. A referral is optional; you can also contact a licensed local provider directly.
We have not enabled a provider route for this site. Use the checklist to contact and verify local providers yourself; urgent hazards should go to the appropriate emergency or public service.