How to Use Dash Cam Footage to Make an Insurance Claim

Dash cams adhere to your dashboard or windshield and record footage while you drive. They come in many varieties with various features. Some record only out past the windshield. Others film both out the windshield and the rear. Some can even film inside the cabin.

Clearly, dash cams can do a lot. From filming road trips to protecting their parked vehicles, dash cams are car gadgets that many drivers refuse to go without.

Here, we’re sharing how you can use dash cam footage to make an insurance claim.

What does a dash cam have to do with insurance?

To explain how dash cams and insurance claims are related, first, let’s go deeper into everything a dash cam can do.

Dash Cam Features

A basic dash cam films whatever’s happening on the road in front of you. Have you seen those videos of crazy car accidents from the point of view of a driver? Those are most often filmed on dash cams.

Other dash cams have dual cameras to simultaneously film behind you or inside the cabin of your car. Additional features might include a parking monitor that captures footage while your car is parked and night vision for a clearer picture when it’s dark out.

Some dash cams also have sensors that detect shocks and collisions. At the first sign of impact, dash cams with this technology will automatically start recording.

For the most part, however, dash cams start filming as soon as you start your engine. They also often employ loop recording that automatically deletes any unnecessary footage and records over itself on a loop.

Many dash cams can also tell you your speed and GPS location at any given time. Put them all together and you get one incredible device.

Dash Cams for Insurance Claims

The point is, dash cams are designed to capture everything you see and experience while driving - including car accidents and other incidents on the road.

Say you get into a fender bender that clearly wasn’t your fault. Well, the other party also might believe they weren’t at fault. Good thing you have a dash cam that recorded the whole thing to prove who’s really to blame (and responsible to pay for the damage).

Another example of how you might need to protect yourself is at the hands of dangerous road rage. Most of us have likely experienced road rage in some shape or form. Usually, regardless of how intense things were in the moment, it likely passed without escalation.

But, that’s not always the case. Some people get incredibly violent while in the throes of road rage. From forcing drivers off the road to getting out their cars to attempt a physical assault, there’s no telling what road ragers might do.

With dash cam footage of these types of incidents, you can protect yourself when dealing with car insurance claims, but with the police as well. Car accidents are far more likely than roadside assaults, but still, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Do insurers accept dash cam footage?

As you can see, dash cams have the ability to capture a lot of information that can be useful when filing an insurance claim. So, not only will most insurers accept dash cam footage as evidence, they’ll be happy to use it.

Dash cam footage makes an insurance company’s job much easier. Especially if you have a high-quality dash cam capable of taking clear video, it’s sometimes all the evidence you’ll need to file a claim.

From license plate numbers to the speed and direction in which your car was traveling, this is all valuable information insurance companies can learn from your dash cam footage.

If you’re dealing with damage or theft while your car was parked, you can use the parking monitor footage to file claims and even file police reports against the perpetrators.

Often, insurance companies deal with mostly word of mouth accounts of what happened during a car accident or other incident. They’ll be practically be begging to see your dash cam footage if you have it.

How to submit dash cam footage in an insurance claim?

Every insurance company has different protocols when making a claim. Be sure to consult with your insurance provider for the most accurate details on how to submit evidence. However, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Let your agent know as soon as possible that you plan to submit dash cam footage. This will make the entire process run more smoothly.

Download your footage from the dash cam immediately. Especially if your dash cam has a loop recording feature, it’s important to retrieve the files immediately to make sure it’s not overwritten.

Tip: VAVA dash cams make this process easy by allowing you to quickly transfer the footage directly to your smartphone.

Make copies of the footage. We all know that computers can crash and files can be lost. Saving multiple copies in a few different places could be your saving grace.

Check the file size limits. Again, each insurance company will have protocols concerning footage submissions. Make sure the file you plan to send isn’t too large. If it is, try editing the file or reducing the resolution.

Although we hope you’ll never have to use your dash cam footage to deal with a car crash or a scary incident on the road, we’re glad to provide devices that can be used as protection and for peace of mind.

Our collection of VAVA dash cams includes everything we’ve mentioned here - from night vision to shock sensors. And with high-quality cameras, your VAVA dash cam won’t miss a thing.

You can trust that if something goes wrong on the road or in the parking lot, your dash cam will be there to help you through the aftermath.