ITWA Takes Action to Protect Indiana Towing Companies

The Indiana Towing & Wrecker Association (ITWA) is taking action on behalf of Indiana’s towing and recovery industry by participating in an important case currently before the Indiana Court of Appeals.

ITWA recently filed an amicus curiae (“friend of the court”) brief in support of the towing industry in a case involving Tri-State Towing and Sully’s Towing and the question of insurance coverage for towing and recovery expenses.

Earlier this year, the trial court ruled that certain towing and recovery costs associated with an accident fell within the insurance policy’s coverage for property damage. The insurance company appealed that decision, bringing the issue before the Indiana Court of Appeals.

Because the Court of Appeals’ decision could have implications beyond the companies directly involved in the case, ITWA determined that it was important for the towing industry’s perspective to be heard.

Towing and recovery companies are often called to some of the most difficult scenes on Indiana roadways. Operators provide specialized equipment, trained personnel, traffic control, recovery services, debris removal and other resources necessary to safely clear accident scenes and reopen roadways.

How insurance policies are interpreted when it comes to these necessary recovery expenses can have a significant financial impact on towing companies throughout Indiana.

ITWA’s amicus brief provides the Court with the broader perspective of the towing and recovery industry and explains why the issues being considered are important not only to the parties involved in this particular case, but potentially to towing companies across the state.

ITWA retained Ice Miller LLP to prepare and file the amicus brief on behalf of the Association.

This action is an example of what ITWA membership helps make possible.

While much of what ITWA does is visible through events, training, scholarships, networking opportunities and the annual Indiana Tow Show, another important part of our mission happens behind the scenes.

ITWA continually works to monitor legislation, regulatory issues and legal developments that could affect Indiana towing companies. When an issue has the potential to impact our industry, we believe Indiana towers deserve to have a strong, organized voice at the table.

That voice becomes stronger with every company that joins ITWA.

We sincerely thank the ITWA members who supported the Association’s decision to become involved in this case and those who contributed toward the cost of this important effort.

The amicus brief has now been filed, and ITWA will continue monitoring the case as it moves through the Indiana Court of Appeals. We will keep our members informed as additional developments occur.

For towing companies that are not currently members of ITWA, this is a reminder that numbers matter. The more companies standing together through the Association, the stronger our ability becomes to advocate for the towing and recovery industry throughout Indiana.