Why Claims Without Dashcams Take 2.5 Weeks Longer to Settle
Drivers can use dashboard cameras, or dashcams, to capture footage of what’s happening around their vehicles, including in the critical moments before, during, and after a crash. According to data from advocacy group Made in CA, just 11% of Canadians use dashcams, but 42% of Canadian drivers with dashcams say they’ve used footage to prove an accident was not their fault.
This statistic only begins to illustrate the benefits dashcams can offer. According to data cited by Made in CA, claims involving dashcam footage may be resolved an average of 2.5 weeks faster when the footage helps establish fault. On top of that, dashcam footage can also help drivers dispute potentially fraudulent claims or staged collisions.
As prices are coming down and some automakers now offer integrated camera systems or factory-installed dashcams on certain models on new vehicles, these devices are more accessible than ever. Here’s why installing a dashcam in your vehicle now could save you hassle and headaches down the road.
Why Dashcams Matter: The Insurance Industry’s “Uncertainty Problem”
Before dashcams, disputes in insurance claims were sometimes a game of he-said-she-said, especially in situations without police reports or third-party witnesses. If an insurance adjuster determines that a driver is at fault for an incident and the driver then disputes the decision, the claim can drag on for weeks or even months. And depending on the nature of the claim and how likely it is to result in increased premiums, the stakes can be high.
“Insurance claims often become more expensive and time-consuming when there’s uncertainty around what actually happened,” says Aren Mirzaian, CEO of MyChoice. “Dashcams help close that evidence gap by giving insurers, adjusters, and drivers clearer information immediately after a collision. As disputes and fraud become more common, video evidence is increasingly becoming one of the most valuable tools drivers can have.”
Dashcam footage can help claims be resolved faster and reduce the time drivers spend disputing fault, which may also help them avoid at-fault determinations that could affect premiums.
One Reddit user described a situation where a lack of dashcam footage contributed to a disputed fault determination:
“I recently bought a car, but I’ve been too lazy to move my rear and front dash cam system from my old car to the new one. On Wednesday, I had the green light, but was lightly t-boned on my way to a work event, and the lady who hit me is claiming she had a green light… she did not. There were no witnesses, and now I’m being faced with a 50-50 at-fault decision because ICBC says our stories conflict. This will raise my insurance, and I’m really hoping she’s found at fault. Dash cams pay for themselves easily with situations like these. I’ll have to pay the deductible ($300-$500) for the body repair and increased insurance rates. This will easily amount to $100s and even $1000s over the next few years.”
How Dashcams Can Protect You from Insurance Fraud
A driver who falsely claims to have had a green light is one thing. But what if you’re targeted by a staged accident, such as a driver pulling in front of you and slamming on the brakes? In many rear-end collisions, the trailing driver is typically presumed to be at fault unless evidence suggests otherwise.
Without video evidence of the suspicious behaviour of the driver in front of you, you’d have a hard time making your case. Dashcam footage may provide important evidence that helps dispute fault determinations in staged or suspicious collisions. Dashcams can also be valuable evidence in hit-and-run situations where identifying the other vehicle is difficult.
Read more about Canada’s auto insurance fraud crackdown to stay informed.
What Features Are Important in a Dashcam?
When buying a dashcam, look for these features:
- The highest resolution and frame rate you can afford, to ensure you capture the best-quality footage possible
- Both front and rear cameras for better coverage around the vehicle
- Loop recording, which lets the camera continuously record and overwrite older footage, so you don’t need to delete it manually when the storage card is full
- Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity for easy file transfer to other devices
- A G-sensor, which lets the device detect a collision and auto-save footage
- GPS and speed data to provide an additional layer of evidence
- Night vision to capture usable footage after dark or in adverse weather conditions
Does Using a Dashcam Lower My Insurance Rates?
Currently, dashcam-related insurance discounts remain relatively uncommon among Canadian insurers. However, dashcams can lower your insurance costs indirectly by helping your claims be processed faster, providing evidence against at-fault determinations and fraud, and reducing disputes, all of which may help drivers avoid disputed claims or fault determinations that could increase premiums.
Key Advice from MyChoice
- Think about installing both front and rear dashcams to get better evidence if you’re ever in a collision or dispute.
- Save and back up your footage right after a collision so you don’t lose important evidence.
- Keep in mind that dashcams might not lower your insurance premiums right now, but they can help you avoid disputes about who was at fault and protect you from fraud.
- Make sure to mount your dashcam correctly so it doesn’t block your view or break any provincial distracted driving laws.