Sounds like the operator of the tow truck didn't observe the rules of towing. Bumpers almost never were strong enough to be used as a tow point! Seems like that damage should be covered by the tow operators insurance - but you could be out of luck if the paper that was signed released them from responsibility or you can't prove (with before and after pictures) that they did it... Towing is very risky.

The advice to read the manual is good advice. The next piece of advice is to make sure to insist repeatedly that is how the tow operator does the recovery. If the operator gives you lip and appears to be ignoring instructions - remember - it's YOUR car and YOU are paying HIM. Just tell them to stop, call another company and don't move the car until they do it right. You may end up with one more person in the world thinking you're an a$$ but compared to standing there and letting them ruin my car for nothing, I will take the hit for a$$holiness.

Did I tell you about the time I had this going on with my Jaguar E-Type? The long story short is I stopped them, unloaded the car myself and called another company. The first guy was majorly pissed but like I said, it was my car and long after he was gone with his big meat hook, I would have to live with whatever he did...


Sorry for the rant.