Ind. Code ch. 24-14-9

Ind. Code § 24-14-9-1 Prohibited actions for towing companies

Sec. 1. A towing company shall not do any of the following: (1) Falsely represent, either expressly or by implication, that the towing company represents or is approved by any organization that provides emergency road service for disabled motor vehicles. (2) Require the owner or operator of a disabled motor vehicle to preauthorize: (A) repair work; or (B) more than twenty-four (24) hours of storage; as a condition for providing towing service for the disabled motor vehicle. (3) Charge more than one (1) towing fee when the owner or operator of a disabled motor vehicle requests that the disabled motor vehicle be towed to a repair facility owned or operated by the towing company. (4) Tow a motor vehicle to a repair facility unless: (A) either: (i) the owner of the motor vehicle; or (ii) the owner's designated representative; gives consent for the motor vehicle to be towed to the repair facility; and (B) the consent described in clause (A) is given before the motor vehicle is removed from the location from which it is to be towed. The prohibition set forth in this subdivision does not apply in any case in which a towing company tows a motor vehicle to a storage facility that includes a repair facility on the same site. (5) Offer or provide compensation to a person for a towing referral unless the person and towing company have a prior contract. As added by P.L.281-2019, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.227-2025, SEC.51.

Ind. Code § 24-14-9-2 Prohibited actions for towing companies and storage facilities

Sec. 2. A towing company or a storage facility shall not do any of the following: (1) Upon payment of all costs relating to a tow, motor vehicle storage, and all allowable fees, as applicable, refuse to release the motor vehicle during regular office hours to a properly identified person who owns or holds a lien on the motor vehicle in accordance with the procedures and subject to the same requirements set forth in IC 9-22-1-8 with respect to abandoned motor vehicles. However, a towing company or storage facility shall not release a motor vehicle in any case in which a local law enforcement agency has ordered the motor vehicle not to be released, or in any case in which the motor vehicle cannot be released because of pending litigation. (2) Refuse to permit: (A) a properly identified person who owns or holds a lien on a motor vehicle; or (B) a representative of the insurance company that insures the motor vehicle, if the vehicle is covered by an active policy of insurance; to inspect the motor vehicle during regular office hours before all costs incurred against the motor vehicle are paid or the motor vehicle is released. A retrieval fee may be charged if it complies with the requirements of IC 9-22-1-8. (3) Charge any storage fee for a stored motor vehicle with respect to any day on which: (A) release of the motor vehicle; or (B) inspection of the motor vehicle by the owner, lienholder, or insurance company; is not permitted during regular office hours by the towing company or storage facility. (4) Offer to provide compensation to a person for a referral unless the person and the towing company or storage facility have an executed contract in place. (5) Charge more than the fees that are included in a towing agreement or contract with the law enforcement agency that ordered the tow or the contract with the private property owner that ordered the tow under IC 9-22-1. As added by P.L.281-2019, SEC.5. Amended by P.L.227-2025, SEC.52.