What Auto Return Is and How It Works in Indianapolis

Auto Return is a program run by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) that notifies you when a vehicle reported stolen has been recovered. When police locate your car, they contact you through the phone number on file with your vehicle registration, then hold the vehicle at a police impound lot while you arrange to pick it up or have it towed.

The program itself is free — you do not pay IMPD to locate your vehicle or to be notified. However, you will owe impound storage fees for each day the car sits at the lot, and you will pay a towing company if you need the vehicle transported from the recovery location to your home or repair shop. These costs begin accumulating when ready after the vehicle is impounded, so the faster you retrieve it, the lower your bill.

Indianapolis impounds recovered vehicles at the IMPD Evidence and Impound Facility, located at 3737 Coldspring Road. This is the only city lot where IMPD stores recovered stolen vehicles. Private towing companies may also hold vehicles if they recovered the car before police did, or if police directed the tow to a private facility.

Key Takeaways

  • IMPD contacts you by phone when your stolen vehicle is found, using the number listed on your vehicle registration.
  • You must retrieve your vehicle from the IMPD impound lot at 3737 Coldspring Road, and storage fees begin the day the vehicle arrives.
  • You will need your driver's license, proof of vehicle ownership (title or registration), and payment for impound fees and any towing costs.
  • If you cannot retrieve the vehicle yourself, you can authorize a towing company or another person to pick it up on your behalf with written permission.
  • Storage fees vary but typically run $20 to $40 per day, so contacting the impound lot when ready after police call is critical to minimize costs.

What Happens When Police Call You

When IMPD locates your vehicle, an officer or dispatcher will call the phone number associated with your vehicle registration. They will tell you the vehicle has been recovered, provide the case number, and explain where it is being held. Write down the case number when ready — you will need it to retrieve the vehicle or to authorize someone else to pick it up.

The officer will also tell you whether the vehicle is at the IMPD impound lot or at a private towing facility. If it is at a private lot, the officer will provide the towing company's name and phone number. Do not assume you can retrieve it right away; ask the officer whether the vehicle is still being processed as evidence or whether it has been released for pickup. If it is still evidence, you cannot take it until the case is cleared.

Keep the officer's name and badge number if they provide it, along with the case number and the exact address where your vehicle is being held. This information protects you if there is a dispute about fees or condition later.

Retrieving Your Vehicle from the IMPD Impound Lot

To pick up your vehicle at the IMPD facility on Coldspring Road, you will need to bring your driver's license, proof of ownership (your vehicle title or current registration), and payment for impound storage fees. Call the lot at the number IMPD provided before you go — do not show up without confirming the vehicle is ready for release and that the lot is open. Impound lot hours vary, and you do not want to make a trip only to find the facility closed.

Payment is typically cash or card, but confirm the accepted payment methods when you call. Ask the lot staff for an itemized receipt showing the number of days stored and the daily rate. Storage fees in Indianapolis typically range from $20 to $40 per day depending on the vehicle type, but the exact amount depends on the lot's current rate schedule. A vehicle stored for five days could cost $100 to $200 before you even drive it home.

When you arrive, bring the vehicle keys if you have them, though the lot staff can open the vehicle if you do not. Inspect the vehicle for damage before you leave the lot and report any new damage to the staff member processing your release. Ask for a written condition report if the vehicle appears damaged — this protects you if you later need to file an insurance claim.

Authorizing Someone Else to Retrieve Your Vehicle

If you cannot pick up the vehicle yourself, you can authorize another person or a towing company to retrieve it on your behalf. Write a straightforward letter stating that you authorize the person by name to pick up your vehicle, include your case number and vehicle identification number (VIN), sign and date it, and bring it with you or have the authorized person bring it to the lot. The lot staff will need to see this written permission along with your driver's license (either in person or as a copy).

The authorized person will also need to bring their own driver's license and proof of your vehicle ownership (title or registration). If you authorize a towing company, call the company first to confirm they will handle the pickup and what they charge for the service. Some towing companies charge a flat fee, while others charge by the mile or by the hour. Get the quote in writing before you authorize them.

Do not straightforward tell someone verbally that they can pick up your vehicle — the lot staff will not release it without written authorization. Email or text is not sufficient; the authorization must be a physical letter or form that the person can show to the lot staff.

Understanding Impound Fees and Additional Costs

The IMPD impound lot charges a daily storage fee for each day your vehicle remains in their facility. These fees begin on the day the vehicle arrives at the lot, not the day you are notified. If your car is recovered on a Monday but you do not retrieve it until Friday, you owe storage for all five days. The daily rate depends on the vehicle type — motorcycles, cars, and trucks may have different rates — but you can ask the lot staff for the current rate schedule when you call.

In addition to storage fees, you may owe a towing charge if IMPD or a private company had to tow the vehicle to the lot. This is a one-time charge, not a daily fee. If the vehicle was towed by a private company before police recovered it, you owe that company's towing fee as well as the impound storage fee. Ask IMPD which company towed your vehicle and what they charged.

Some insurance policies cover impound and towing fees as part of theft coverage, so contact your insurance company before you pay. Provide them with the case number and the lot's itemized receipt. If your policy covers these costs, the insurance company may pay the lot directly or reimburse you after you submit the receipt.

What to Do If Your Vehicle Is at a Private Towing Lot

If IMPD tells you your vehicle is at a private towing facility rather than the city lot, the towing company is holding it, not IMPD. Call the towing company directly using the number the officer provided. Ask whether the vehicle is ready for release or whether it is still being held as evidence. Private lots typically charge higher daily storage fees than the city lot — often $30 to $60 per day — so retrieving the vehicle quickly is even more important.

The process for picking up your vehicle at a private lot is similar: bring your driver's license, proof of ownership, and payment. However, private lots may have different hours and payment methods than the city facility. Some private lots accept only cash, while others accept cards. Confirm all details before you go.

If you believe the towing company charged you unfairly or stored your vehicle illegally, you can file a complaint with the Indiana Attorney General's office or contact the Better Business Bureau. Keep all receipts and documentation of the recovery and storage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does IMPD hold a recovered vehicle before I have to pick it up?

IMPD does not have a set important date, but storage fees accumulate daily, so the longer you wait, the higher your bill. Some lots will sell or dispose of vehicles after 30 to 90 days of storage if the owner does not claim them, though this varies. Contact the lot when ready after police call to confirm how long they will hold the vehicle.

What if my vehicle was damaged while it was stolen?

Document all damage with photos before you leave the impound lot, and get a written condition report from the lot staff. Report the damage to your insurance company and provide them with the photos and condition report. Your comprehensive coverage may pay for repairs, though you will owe your deductible.

Can I dispute the impound fees if I think they are too high?

You can contact the IMPD impound lot supervisor to ask about the fee structure and whether any fees can be waived or reduced, though this is not common. If you believe the fees are illegal or excessive, you can file a complaint with the Indianapolis city controller's office or consult an attorney.

What if I cannot afford to pay the impound fees right now?

Contact the impound lot and explain your situation. Some lots may work out a payment plan, though this is not may provide. If you cannot retrieve the vehicle, ask whether the lot will hold it for a specific period while you save money. After a certain time, the lot may sell the vehicle to recover storage costs.

Do I need to file a police report if my vehicle was stolen?

Yes, you should file a report with IMPD if you have not already. The police report is required by your insurance company to process a theft claim, and it creates an official record of the theft. You can file a report online through the IMPD website or by calling their non-emergency line.