Dashcams and car insurance claims: What Filipino drivers need to know

Role of dashcam in car insurance

In recent years, dashcams have become increasingly popular among Filipino drivers. It offers reliable video documentation of traffic incidents, scams targeting motorists, and tracks road & weather conditions.

Top reasons why car owners rely on Dashcam -

• Acts as evidence during accidents
• Prevents disputes
• Protection against false allegations
• Defence against roadside scams
• Accelerates car insurance claim process

Dashcam and car insurance claim

Do dashcams help in the claim process? Yes, dashcam significantly improves the claim process.
Easy. It helps the insurer tally facts.

How is dashcam footage used as evidence? Insurance providers thoroughly review the submitted footage to validate the client’s statement, determine liability, detect fraud, and confirm the circumstances of the accident.

When is the dashcam footage useless? There are instances in which the insurance provider may reject footage submitted by the policyholder. For example, the evidence would most likely be tagged as useless when -

• The video is dark or blurry
• The footage is corrupted
• Absence of time and date stamp
• The video frame fails to capture the incident

What are the major incidents where dashcam footage speeds up the claim process? The dashcam footage comes in handy in situations like -

• Rear-end collision
• Hit and run incidents
• Intentional damage
• Parking lot accident
• Sideswipe accidents

Also Read: Top 8 defensive driving tips for Filipino drivers to stay safe and save on insurance

Key benefits of dashcam usage

Dashcam offers valuable protection to car owners, including -

Prevention of scams and fraud: Dashcam can protect drivers from false accusations, such as staged crashes and pedestrian accidents.

Acting as a statement of facts: The footage from your dashcam verifies your narrative, making the claim process smooth.

Dashcam and car insurance premium

First, let us discuss one of the most common myths around dashcam usage among Filipino car owners, i.e., dashcam usage reduces insurance rates. However, this statement is not officially true; while most insurance providers appreciate this addition, no direct discount is promised. Here are the key factors that affect premium -

• Car’s model and age
• Claim history
• Driving history
• Location
• Coverage

Also Read: Early renewal vs. Last-minute renewal: Which is better for Filipino drivers?

How dashcams resolve common claim denial issues

An insurance claim may be delayed or denied for several reasons, such as late filing, policy exclusions, misrepresentation of information, or unapproved modifications.

With a dashcam and its footage by your side, it becomes easy to verify who is at fault, the sequence of events, and the road & weather conditions. All this will ensure disputes between you and your provider are resolved.

How to best set your dashcam to extract maximum benefits

Wanna make the most out of your dashcam investment? Follow suggested practices while using a dashcam for claim purposes. Furthermore, insurance providers love dashcams because they help them analyse claim applications more efficiently. However, there are a few settings that could elevate the dashcam footage -

• Enable the date and time stamp on the footage
• Maintain good all-day clarity
• Use wide-angle recording

It is also recommended that you use a high-endurance SD card, back up files as soon as possible, and store copies of the footage in cloud storage.

Tips to choose the right dashcam

When you are out there to choose a dashcam for your car, here are some specs to look out for -

• Good night vision feature
• Automatic recording feature
• High-resolution camera
• Wide-angle lens
• Loop recording feature

Cost? A dashcam’s price can range from PHP 1,000 to PHP 8,000 or more, depending on the brand and features offered.

Also Read: The rights of a car insurance policyholder in the Philippines

Bottom line

A dashcam is a crucial tool highly recommended for car owners. Why? It helps Filipino drivers to protect themselves after an accident by offering video evidence to the provider supporting the claim process. So, while they don’t directly lower the premium or single-handedly get the claim approved, they surely lead to faster, clearer, and more accurate claim evaluation.

Furthermore, the video evidence helps car owners avoid disputes, strengthen their case, and reduce the chances of claim delay or denial. Therefore, we recommend that every car owner invest in a dashcam - a practical decision that not only enhances safety but also brings peace of mind.

Also Read: Insuring a hybrid or plug-in car: What you should know before buying one

FAQs

Q1. Does dashcam footage guarantee claim approval in the Philippines?
Ans. Dashcam footage helps in the claim process, but approval still depends on the policy coverage and the adjuster's investigation.

Q2. Can poor-quality dashcam footage delay the claim process?
Ans. Yes, blurry and dark dashcam footage delays the claim process.

Q3. Can my car insurance provider delay the claim process even after I provide video evidence?
Ans. Yes. When the event behind the incident is excluded from the insurance policy or violates the rules.

Q4. I have dashcam footage on my phone. Can I submit it to the provider?
Ans. Yes, you can submit the video evidence, other essential documents, and the duly accomplished claim form.

Q5. My dashcam didn’t capture the moment of impact. What shall I do?
Ans. Submit whatever video evidence or footage you have; your provider will evaluate the claim accordingly.

Q6. Should I submit the dashcam footage if I am at fault?
Ans. Yes, submit the footage, even if you are at fault, as honesty helps avoid bigger issues like misrepresentation of facts, which might lead to a claim denial.

Q7. Can dashcam footage help with cases of vandalism or damage to parked cars?
Ans. Yes, dashcam footage can help in cases involving vandalism or damage to parked cars. However, make sure the dashcam has parking mode.

Q8. Does the law require a dashcam in the Philippines?
Ans. No, however, a dashcam is highly recommended.

Q9. My dashcam footage does not mention date or time. Will it be accepted?
Ans. It is suggested that you submit the footage, even if it lacks a date and time. However, it is a fact that such videos enjoy less credibility.

Q10. Is dashcam footage useful in hit-and-run cases?
Ans. Yes, as the footage will help identify the offender's car's number plate and view the direction of escape.

Q11. How long should I keep my dashcam footage?
Ans. It is recommended to keep the dashcam footage secure until the claim gets approved.

Q12. Is it mandatory to install a dashcam in the Philippines?
Ans. No, dashcam installation is a choice, though it has been highly recommended for its support in the claim process.

Q13. Can the insurer use the dashcam footage against me?
Ans. Yes, but only if the footage shows you violating traffic rules or the policy terms.

Q14. Do providers need the entire video file or only a part of it?
Ans. Insurance providers usually request a full clip from the policyholder to check both before & after impact.

Q15. Where can I learn about insurance rules?
Ans. To understand insurance rules, you can either contact your provider or agent.

Also Read: What you might not know about the car insurance participation fee