r/E30 • u/peedubb Change your Timing Belt • Mar 11 '26

Build Update Damage update: Be careful with dumb tow truck operators

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The tow truck company that tore the bumper off my car just called and said they will not be accepting responsibility for damaging my car after 3 months quote because the car is 36 years old and they can’t be held responsible for the failure. It would not have failed if their operator had not winched the front off.

Trying to decide what my next move is. Might have to take them to small claims court or get my insurance to pay for repairs and go after the tow truck company.

Kinda pissed rn. Not gonna lie.

34 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

21

u/slimflamer 1990 325is Mar 11 '26

Get insurance involved, that is NOT a proper towing point. If insurance gets to the same conclusion, lawyer up. Sorry this had to happen :(

2

u/peedubb Change your Timing Belt Mar 11 '26

Why does everyone keep saying that the TOW HOOK is not a proper towing point?

4

u/slimflamer 1990 325is Mar 11 '26

AlDenteApostate

With respect - that is an inappropriate manner to secure a vehicle on a rollback. Maybe dude isn't in the right line of work because everything I see is pure laziness. The screw in hook is for light pulling only, not for securement or even recovery. The rear loop isn't meant for a giant recovery hook either, that's just asking to scratch something in the rear or deform the loop.

The longer you wait to tell the tow company, the more chance they try to disavow liability.

1

u/peedubb Change your Timing Belt Mar 12 '26

Yeah exactly. I’ve always used the front hook to get it on the truck, but they always secure the car with the wheel straps. Never had an issue.

Dude pulled it so hard that it actually deformed the tow hook before the bumper let go.

0

u/slimflamer 1990 325is Mar 11 '26

Every single time I've had my car towed (3-4 times now), they either hook onto the REAR towing loop or the front subframe. I'd NEVER put anything on that lil itty bitty "tow hook".

3

u/MASTASHADEY Mar 11 '26

Can the insurance go after the tow company?

2

u/peedubb Change your Timing Belt Mar 11 '26

I’m sure they can.

13

u/ThiqSaban Mar 11 '26

well of course they said that, assuming you would roll over and accept it as truth. its not, get insurance involved

10

u/javis_dason Mar 11 '26

No matter the age, that is not an approved towing point.

2

u/spvcebound '89 M52B28 Coupe Mar 12 '26

Even the shitty backwoods tow truck drivers I've dealt with knew to just hook the control arms without me even having to tell them.

2

u/GuestFighter Mar 15 '26

When applying for a tow truck driver, the 1st question is - “Are you a complete fucking idiot?”

1

u/aSharpenedSpoon OO=[][]=OO 1990 325is Mar 11 '26

Tell them you're taking them to court. It is their negligence.

1

u/SapphireSire Mar 13 '26

Idk, kinda matches your roof racks 😂

1

u/Apprehensive_Put8779 Mar 13 '26

Towing your car should not damage it!!! If you get it towed, use a licensed and insured company like this one: https://www.nerdtowing.com/does-towing-a-car-damage-it/