Here are a few real claim scenarios where dashcams make a difference.
In crash A, you’re on your way to Hillsboro on TV Hwy when Alex merges into you, scrapes your car, and takes the sideview mirror off. You both pull over, exchange insurance information.
In crash B, you’re driving to Forest Grove when Billy pulls through a stop sign and you smash into him. You exchange insurance information.
In crash C, you’re going down 217 to Tigard when Colleen abruptly slams the brakes without reason and you rearend her car. You exchange information.
In all of these, the reality is that you were not-at-fault.
BUT the other person, who was so apologetic at the time, tells a different story to the insurance claim rep.
Crash A Alex says that he stopped at the sign, looked both ways, and pulled out but you were speeding and struck him.
Crash B Billy says that you were swerving and merged into him.
Crash C Colleen says she was braking for another car when you rearended her.
Uh oh, the stories don’t match! So what happens?
Your insurance claim rep believes you. However, she has two conflicting stories about the same event and needs evidence to settle the disagreement. The problem is . . .
The damages on the cars match up with either story.
Plus, no witnesses stopped for the accident. Police didn’t take any statements.
So what happens?
Without any other evidence, the insurance company has no clear way to assign fault. The insurance company will likely mark in the file that you were at least partially at fault.
This is maddening, and not just because the other person lied! Now, you have an at-fault incident on your insurance record. You also need to pay your collision deductible.
And to salt to the wound, the claim will impact your rates as an at-fault accident for the next several years.
A dashcam can help tell a very different story.
A dashcam is basically a small camera that records roughly what you see in front of the car as you drive (and sometimes behind you). In each of the cases above, footage would likely result in a not-at-fault claim for you.
When crash A Alex claims you merged into him, the dashcam footage shows that you were driving straight ahead in your lane.
When crash B Billy claims he stopped at the sign, your dashcam footage shows that he clearly ignored the stop sign.
When crash C Colleen says she slowed for a deer, the dashcam footage shows that she completely braked without any cause.
Dashcam footage isn’t always definitive, but so far, in our independent agency, we’ve already seen several incidents where the dashcam footage was definitive in assigning fault.
Does a dash cam give an insurance discount?
Not for now. The main reason is that having a dash cam doesn’t prevent accidents; its main purpose is to provide after-accident footage.
Nevertheless, I do wonder if some companies will begin providing it, especially if time reveals that people who use dash cams tend to be better drivers. After all, if you know that your driving is being recorded, you’ll probably be inclined to drive a bit better.
Also, some dash cams come with lane departure warnings and other features that may genuinely help prevent accidents. We’ll see.
So do I have to get a dash cam?
Most models range from $100 to $500 depending on the features you want, and some people may not want to spend the money or hassle with the tech; we get it! What then?
The stories above also illustrate why gather evidence can be critical.
Police and witnesses matter, especially if you don’t have a dash cam.
It’s important to call the police out so they can take statements and make a report. And if there are witnesses who saw the incident, ask them for their name and number.
Finally, take photos of the crash setting and the damages to both vehicles if you can do so safely.
All evidence can be helpful in understanding what happened in a crash.
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