In-vehicle cameras are becoming a popular fixture on UK roads. From factory-fitted cameras, to aftermarket dash cams, it’s estimated that more than one in five UK vehicles now has one fitted.
Here we discuss the impact dash cams are having on motor insurance claims – from cheaper premiums to faster claims resolution.
Can dash cam footage be used as evidence in an accident?
Yes – many insurers now accept dash cam footage as evidence in the event of an incident. This can be used to inform liability decisions, increase the accuracy of claims data, and tackle fraudulent insurance claims.
If you’re unsure whether your insurer accepts dash cam footage, it’s best to get in touch with them to confirm this.
Do I need front and rear dash cams?
While having both front and rear cameras isn’t entirely necessary, it does add an additional layer of protection in the event of certain incidents – such as collisions from cars travelling behind you.
43% of UK drivers involved in a rear-end collision
A study found that 43% of UK drivers have been involved in a rear-end collision, making a rear-view dash cam a valuable asset in many road incidents.
The more evidence you can provide after a collision, the more accurate insurers’ decisions will be when it comes to liability. It’s therefore beneficial to aim for maximum coverage when it comes to fitting dash cams to your vehicle.
The benefits of dash cams in motor insurance claims
Here are some of the key benefits dash cams are bringing to motor insurance claims:
#1 – More data for incident reporting
Dash cams provide insurers with more high-quality evidence at incident reporting, or First Notification of Loss (FNOL) stage. The footage captured can be used to more accurately assess the cause and liability behind a collision.
This reduces reliance on drivers’ own recollection of how the incident occurred, which can often be inaccurate due to the emotional impact of being involved in an accident.
This protects insurers against disputes between policyholders and third parties – speeding up claims resolution, and controlling costs for the dash cam user and their insurer.
#2 – Cheaper premiums for some drivers
Some insurers offer discounts to drivers who have dash cams fitted to their vehicles. As well as providing more insightful incident data, there’s also evidence to suggest that dash cams encourage motorists to drive more carefully.
As their popularity spreads, dash cams could carry similar benefits to telematics devices like ‘black boxes’ – offering drivers cheaper premiums in return for having one fitted.
Incentives like this could also increase the uptake of dash cams amongst drivers, which could permanently reshape the way insurers approach incident reporting/liability decisions.
#3 – Protection against insurance fraud
Insurance fraud is a costly issue for both drivers and insurers. This may stem from falsified or exaggerated claims, or even intentional collision in some cases.
Dash cams help to reduce the risk of fraudulent claims being accepted by insurers, due to the quality of the evidence they provide in the event of an incident.
This benefits both drivers and their insurers – protecting policyholders against fraudulent third-parties, and reducing both the risk and cost to insurers.
#4 – Faster claims resolution
The more data an insurer has to support a claim, the faster it can be resolved. Dash cam footage supports insurers in their decision-making processes, helping to speed up claims resolution, and dispel any disputes from the very beginning of the process.
This means claims are able to progress to repair/replacement stage more quickly, minimising the time for which drivers are left without their vehicle(s). This reduces expense and reliance on courtesy cars, and helps to mitigate any delays within the repair process.
#5 – Potential for automated FNOL
As incident reporting becomes more intelligent, it may be possible for insurers to use dash cams and telematic devices to automate parts of the FNOL process.
Auto-FNOL is already being used by some fleets of commercial vehicles – detecting collisions via onboard vehicle technology, and sending dash cam footage straight to the insurer. Through our sister company, Sopp+Sopp, our fleet customers already gain access to in-vehicle Auto-FNOL solutions – read more here.
In the future, Auto-FNOL could drive faster incident reporting for personal insurance customers, allowing collisions to be reported and evidenced as soon as they occur. This will enable insurers to contact drivers immediately after an incident, increasing the chance of third parties being captured accurately, and contacted quickly.
In summary: Dash Cams & Motor Insurance Claims
Dash cams are becoming more popular on UK roads. It is estimated that one in five UK vehicles now has one fitted – whether this is a standard feature, or an aftermarket addition.
The wider use of dash cams comes with a number of benefits for both drivers and their insurers, including:
- The potential for cheaper insurance premiums
- More data at incident reporting stage
- Evidence to manage liability disputes
- Protection against insurance fraud
- Faster claims resolution
- The potential for automated incident reporting in the future
Each of these benefits marks huge changes in the way insurers process claims – especially during the early stages of the process, such as First Notification of Loss (FNOL).
Read more about the emerging technologies impacting the world of motor claims.
