Operators on the Snap Marketplace
Jobs booked through Snap are carried out by independent recovery operators, not by Snap. This page explains what Snap checks when an operator joins and what you can check when the operator arrives. If you run a recovery business, the second half explains how joining works.
Request my recovery quoteAsking for a quote does not book the job.
What Snap checks, and what to check yourself
What we check when an operator joins
When an operator joins, they confirm their licensing and insurance, and that they can carry out the type of job being requested. We check:
- motor insurance
- employers' liability insurance
- public liability insurance
- goods in transit insurance
- cover for your car while the operator has it
- relevant standards and inspections where the operator holds them: PAS 43, the safe working standard for vehicle recovery, ISO 9001 quality management certification, LOLER inspection of lifting equipment, and National Highways sector scheme 17 or 17B
We don't work with operators who haven't been through this check. Operators are also required to hold a valid UK driving licence for the vehicles they drive, to hold goods-in-transit or vehicle recovery insurance, to give accurate information about their vehicles and availability, and to tell us promptly about any change to their licences, insurance or legal status.
What the check covers
The check happens when an operator joins. It isn't an ongoing check of their cover or a driver background check, so we can't promise that an operator's insurance or licensing is in force on the day of your job. Operators are responsible for their own insurance and compliance, which is why the checks below are worth a minute.
What to check when the operator arrives
- Ask for their insurance details, and check them.
- Ask for identification and credentials.
- Look over the truck and equipment before work starts.
- Photograph your car before it's loaded if you're concerned about its condition.
- Tell us straight away if anything worries you: call 078 3333 9309 or email info@snapcarrecovery.co.uk.
For a high-value, classic or modified car, ask the operator for evidence of their cover before the work starts.
Who the operators are
Operators on Snap are independent businesses, not Snap employees, and Snap owns no recovery vehicles. When an operator carries out your recovery, your contract for that work is with the operator, and operators set their own prices, schedules and terms.
We contact suitable operators covering the area and send you one quote, with our booking fee and the operator's charge shown separately. Nothing is booked until you accept. Once an operator is assigned, you get their details and an estimated arrival time by SMS or WhatsApp, so you know who to expect. The full sequence is in how booking works.
If something goes wrong with a recovery
Tell us, with your reference number and what happened. If the complaint is about the recovery work rather than how we arranged it, we'll help you raise it with the operator and mediate where we can, though the claim itself is against the operator. The operator's charge is paid to the operator, so a dispute about it is between you and them, and we'll help put you in touch. How complaints are handled, with timescales, is set out on how booking works.
Snap is not an emergency service. If anyone is injured, there's a fire, or people are in immediate danger, call 999 first.
For recovery operators: joining Snap
If you run a recovery business, you can join Snap by registering as a driver, or by calling or emailing us.
What you're asked to confirm
When you join, you confirm your licensing and insurance and that you can carry out the type of job requested. We check your insurance, and the standards and inspections you hold, as listed above. You're also asked to meet the requirements set out above, including telling us promptly about any change.
Your prices, your schedule, your terms
You set your own prices, schedule and terms for the recovery work. If you have your own terms and conditions, those govern the recovery service you provide. Snap's charge to the customer is a booking fee for arranging the job, shown separately from your charge.
How jobs reach you
A customer sends Snap a request with the vehicle, what has happened, where the car is and where it's going, and its condition. We assess the job, then ask suitable operators covering the area for a price and availability, and send the customer one quote.
If the customer accepts, they pay Snap's booking fee, the job is assigned, and the customer gets your details and an estimated arrival time by SMS or WhatsApp. When the job is done, the customer pays your charge to you directly, by whatever method you accept. Snap doesn't handle that money.
How to register
Call 078 3333 9309, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm (UK time), or email info@snapcarrecovery.co.uk and tell us you run a recovery business. Or register as a driver. Have your insurance and licensing details ready.
Need a car moved
Tell us where the car is, where it needs to go and what's happened, and we'll come back with one quote.
Request my recovery quoteAsking for a quote does not book the job.
Send a request 24/7; requests are handled round the clock. Or call 078 3333 9309, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.