Can dashcam footage help with insurance claims?

The continued increase of incidents, accidents including smash and grabs and fraudulent claims as well as the continually improving technology around dashboard mounted cameras or dash cams as they are commonly known is making this technology increasingly popular for all types of drivers.

South Africa is one of the most dangerous places to drive to a point where being involved in some kind of accident is only a matter of time. In addition, on South Africa’s increasingly complex road landscape the “he said”, “she said” element of accident reporting is evolving. The continued increase of incidents and accidents including smash and grabs and fraudulent claims as well as the continually improving technology around dashboard mounted cameras or dash cams as they are commonly known is making this technology increasingly popular for all types of drivers.

While insurance is key to absorbing the financial impact of road accidents and incidents and getting your car replaced or repaired should something unforeseen happen, the process of establishing the truth is necessary to determine what really occurred. Dash cams are emerging as a critical tool to help establish the facts around an incident and provide peace of mind for vehicle owners and insurers.

A source of objective evidence

A dash cam is able to provide an objective, independent view of an event that occurs. Having clear video evidence can help speed up the claims process by providing immediate clarity, ensuring that honest drivers are protected from financial strain and possible prosecution of any disputes.

Protection against accidents and fraud

Unfortunately fraudulent claims are a reality on South African roads. Video footage is the most effective deterrent against this practice as it can prove when an incident was intentionally manufactured or when a version of events has been falsified. For vehicle owners this video footage is valuable when the other party reports a scenario of events that is inaccurate or not true. This can include the colour of the robot at the time of the incident or whether a vehicle actually stopped when it should have. Dash cam footage is

also able to highlight any transgressions and give a clearer indication of weather conditions at the time of the accident.

Resolving a hit and run dilemma

Few things are as frustrating as being involved in an accident or an incident followed by the other party speeding off to avoid consequences. Front and rear facing dashcams with a parking mode can capture license plates and vehicle descriptions even when the vehicle is unoccupied, turning a potential loss into a recoverable claim from the third party.

A useful tool

Dash cam footage can be incredibly helpful, but it doesn't automatically guarantee a successful claim. For example if your own footage shows that you were speeding or driving recklessly, it may affect the outcome of your claim.

Practical tips

Quality is important so confirm that the camera records in at least 1080p HD so that license plates are legible in low light and night time conditions.

Use a high-endurance SD card that is designed for constant rewriting and check your footage once a month to ensure that the camera is still recording correctly.

Filming in public spaces is legal in South Africa, but users need to be aware of the Protection of Personal Information Act. Avoid sharing footage of people or their personal details, such as license plates, on social media, especially if it relates to a dispute, as this can complicate legal proceedings.

When installing the camera make sure that the device and any power cables do not obstruct your view of the road.