What to Do If the Towing Company Damages Your Car

You called a tow truck after a breakdown. Your car arrives at the shop — and something is different. A new scratch along the door. A cracked bumper. Or you find out later that the drivetrain was damaged because an AWD vehicle was wheel-lift towed. What do you do?

Towing damage claims are not common when you use a professional, insured company — but they do happen, and the process for resolving them depends entirely on how well you documented the situation. This guide walks through every step, from what to do at the pickup location to how the claims process works.

Document Everything Before the Tow Begins

The single most important thing you can do to protect yourself against any towing dispute — damage or otherwise — is to document your vehicle's condition before the tow starts.

• Photograph all four sides of the vehicle from a few metres back
• Close-up photos of any existing damage — dents, chips, scratches, broken trim
• Photo of the odometer reading
• Photo of the gear selector position
• Note the time, location, driver's name, and truck number

Most professional tow companies — including Jets Towing — also conduct their own vehicle condition check before loading. Ask the driver what their process is and whether they're documenting pre-existing damage on the work order.

What Constitutes Damage from Towing

Not every mark on a vehicle after a tow constitutes towing damage — a company cannot be responsible for damage that existed before the tow. The distinction matters for your claim:

Damage the towing company is responsible for

• Strap marks or scratches caused by straps on body panels where padding wasn't used
• Bumper damage from incorrect tow point attachment
• Frame or body damage from an incorrectly applied wheel-lift cradle
• Drivetrain damage from towing an AWD/4WD vehicle with wheels on the ground
• Damage caused by the vehicle shifting on the flatbed deck due to inadequate securing
• Damage caused by loading ramps contacting low body panels

What a company is generally not responsible for

• Pre-existing damage documented before the tow
• Mechanical issues that were already present (unrelated to the towing method)
• Damage from an accident that occurred before the tow

How to File a Damage Claim Against a Towing Company

Step 1: Do not let the driver leave

If you notice damage at the drop-off location while the driver is still present, stop them before they leave. Ask them to note the damage on the job sheet. Take photos of the damage with the driver and truck visible in the frame. The driver should not be able to dispute damage documented at the drop-off location in real time.

Step 2: Contact the company immediately

Call the towing company's main number — not just the driver — and report the damage while you're still at the scene if possible. Ask for a claim number or incident reference number. Record the name of whoever you speak with and the time of the call.

Step 3: Get a repair estimate

Take your vehicle to a body shop or repair facility and get a written estimate for the damage. This forms the basis of your claim. Do not authorize the repairs before the claim is resolved unless the company has provided written authorization or you've accepted their settlement offer.

Step 4: Submit the claim in writing

Write a formal claim letter or email to the towing company including: your contact information, job date and reference number, description of the damage, pre-tow photos, post-tow photos, and the repair estimate. Keep copies of everything.

Why Choosing a Licensed and Insured Company Matters

The difference between a licensed, insured towing company and an unlicensed operator is the difference between a resolvable claim and a legal battle. A licensed company in Manitoba:

• Carries liability insurance that covers vehicle damage claims
• Has trained, certified drivers following established loading protocols
• Maintains documented records of every job — making disputes easier to resolve
• Has a business address and formal complaint process
• Is accountable to Manitoba licensing authorities

Jets Towing's Approach to Damage Prevention

The best damage claim is one that never needs to happen. Jets Towing prevents vehicle damage through proper training and procedure:

• Pre-tow vehicle condition check documented on every job
• Correct truck type dispatched for every vehicle type — flatbed for AWD, EV, drivetrain issues
• Proper strap placement using manufacturer tow points
• Edge guards and padding where straps contact body panels
• Four-point securement as standard practice
• Trained operators who know proper loading procedures for all vehicle types

We have been operating in Winnipeg for years with a track record of damage-free towing. Our commitment is to return your vehicle in the same condition we found it — and to make it right quickly and fairly in the rare case that something goes wrong. See our emergency towing service, vehicle safety guide, and FAQ for more detail.

Frequently Asked Questions