is there a benefit of having a Dashcam?

[tommy65]

Need some advice.

I have been considering buying a dashcam for some time now...
whilst it's a "nice to have", to identify if someone scratched your door in a parking lot or hit and run situations, crooked cops etc...
my main concern (which I haven't really found a definitive answer on) is the payback on the insurance claim excess.

As everyone knows, once you claim from your car insurance, whether it's your fault or not, you have to pay the excess regardless...
However, I was told that, the excess can be paid back to your account, if you can definitively prove, the accident was not your fault...
then your insurance can claim from the offenders insurance (if they have) and you will eventually be paid back your excess...

Is this true?
Has anyone else heard of this, whether its true or not, or have had experience regarding this?
If all of this is untrue, is it really worth getting a dashcam then? (cos I'm not even sure if it lowers your monthly premiums, if you tell your insurance company you have a dashcam)

any input is appreciated...

 

[Byakugan]

The dashcam is there to proof that u are telling the truth. Its more than a nice to have. Get it for both the front and back if possible.

Most of the time the excess comes out of the claim they will pay out. ie: R75k payout minus 3k excess so u get R72k. You pay excess regardless of who is at fault. Well at least thats how it was years ago when I claimed.

 

[Kamikaze]

Imagine you have to defend yourself in court for an accident that happened and it wasn't your fault, but the other party is hell-bent on proving you to be at fault. You can either go through all that mental/emotional/financial drain and suffering, or you pull out the recording and let the judge decide. Hence I bought myself a dashcam.

It's insurance in its own right. No one ever needs insurance, until the day comes that you do. R3k to R4k for a decent dashcam is kak cheap for that peace of mind in my opinion.

I've had so many close calls or witnessed possible accidents, that I'm glad I have the camera. For instance, I saw a woman crossing the road without looking and got hit by a bakkie. I shared the footage with the bakkie driver in case she decided to sue him.

 

[∀Z‾soʇɐuɐɥ┴]

If you drive within the legal rules of the road and end up in an accident, then yes as it can prevent a he said she said scenario.
But if you drive like the average knob in Gauteng then I would say no.

 

[CyNicole]

Catch the idiots on camera, post video to Social Media, video goes viral, profit.

 

[goldfritter]

I've never heard of any South African insurance company that gives you discounts on premiums or excess if you have a dashcam. But it'll take 30 seconds to email your insurance and ask them.

 

[Dom]

Need some advice.

I have been considering buying a dashcam for some time now...
whilst it's a "nice to have", to identify if someone scratched your door in a parking lot or hit and run situations, crooked cops etc...
my main concern (which I haven't really found a definitive answer on) is the payback on the insurance claim excess.

As everyone knows, once you claim from your car insurance, whether it's your fault or not, you have to pay the excess regardless...
However, I was told that, the excess can be paid back to your account, if you can definitively prove, the accident was not your fault...
then your insurance can claim from the offenders insurance (if they have) and you will eventually be paid back your excess...

Is this true?
Has anyone else heard of this, whether its true or not, or have had experience regarding this?
If all of this is untrue, is it really worth getting a dashcam then? (cos I'm not even sure if it lowers your monthly premiums, if you tell your insurance company you have a dashcam)

any input is appreciated...

Insurance premium reductions? @StangV2_0

 

[StangV2_0]

I've never heard of any South African insurance company that gives you discounts on premiums or excess if you have a dashcam. But it'll take 30 seconds to email your insurance and ask them.

Insurance premium reductions? @StangV2_0

I'll try find out and post some information.

Regarding the Dashcam itself it's a no Brainer IMO. South Africa is no Disney Land. And being able to show the accident or what happened will always strengthen your claim.

Some insurance companies have an additional excess for a single vehicle accident just before and after midnight or up until say 4am. So if you were to swerve for a dog on Saturday morning at 3 am and hit a tree you will be charged an additional excess because no other vehicle was involved. A Dashcam might help prove that you were not drunk and did in fact go to the shop to buy some milk because you couldn't sleep and just wanted to make some coffee.

 

[StangV2_0]

Ok so word around the office is no, there is no reduction in premiums or excess in any way from having a dashcam in your vehicle. Should I find out any more information I will update this post.

But still, I would rather have one than not have one. Proving that a pedestrian ran in front of your car while you were not speeding will help you avoid criminal charges. And this is just one example of the benefit of having a dashcam.

 

[StangV2_0]

Had a chat to a manger now and she confirmed the same thing, no benefit. However, it may assist with speeding up a complicated claim.

For those who don't know though, an advanced driving course will have a benefit. And of course, you will learn some valuable skills which may save your life.

 

[ultimate]

Instead of starting a new thread can we get some dash cam suggestions?

 

[∀Z‾soʇɐuɐɥ┴]

Instead of starting a new thread can we get some dash cam suggestions?

what more do you need other than a gopro?

 

[goldfritter]

For those who don't know though, an advanced driving course will have a benefit. And of course, you will learn some valuable skills which may save your life.

These are only valid for a year though right? For premium reductions?

 

[goldfritter]

what more do you need other than a gopro?

If one needs to not spend R 8000 on a dashcam, a GoPro doesn't help a lot.

Instead of starting a new thread can we get some dash cam suggestions?

Dashcam suggestions | Purchasing advice

Hello fellow Carbies I'm looking for suggestions for a dash cam to be used in a BMW X3. I'm not keen to try tuck in any wires, so it will be hanging directly from the center of the windscreen and down to the lighter socket. Needing something reliable that can keep recording and overwrite the...

carbonite.co.za

 

[Kamikaze]

Instead of starting a new thread can we get some dash cam suggestions?

I'm not up to date anymore since my VIOFO A119 V3 is 4 years old, but it works excellently since it has a Sony camera lens. There's also a CPL anti-glare filter which makes a huge difference - Viofo CPL Filter Anti-Glare | The Car Dash Cam Store

The issue with mine is that it must remain mounted to work. The power cable goes to the GPS unit which is stuck to the windshield. Then the dashcam clips into it. So if I ever need to rotate the dashcam, I need to unclip the dashcam and plug the cable directly into the dashcam. And time is usually a luxury in moments when you really need that footage.

 

[Kamikaze]

what more do you need other than a gopro?

They overheat in minutes, especially in a car.

Note: Do NOT get a dashcam with a battery, unless you want to come back to a crispy burnt car. It must have a capacitor built in for power handling.

 

[Nyt Ryda]

Need some advice.

I have been considering buying a dashcam for some time now...
whilst it's a "nice to have", to identify if someone scratched your door in a parking lot or hit and run situations, crooked cops etc...
my main concern (which I haven't really found a definitive answer on) is the payback on the insurance claim excess.

As everyone knows, once you claim from your car insurance, whether it's your fault or not, you have to pay the excess regardless...
However, I was told that, the excess can be paid back to your account, if you can definitively prove, the accident was not your fault...
then your insurance can claim from the offenders insurance (if they have) and you will eventually be paid back your excess...

Dash cams are good but :
- To keep it running in a parking lot you can end up draining your battery, especially if its a few years old. Also an issue with heat, park in the sun for a few hours or in summer and the dashcam may overheat while recording continuously.
- Hit and run, it's very difficult to get a license plate number in some situations. If the lighting (low light, direct sunlight etc) and angles (hit from behind with just a front facing cam, side swiped by a turning car etc) are not right it's not going to be that useful.
- Excess refund, I doubt a dash cam will speed it up. It's a very lengthy legal process and it's better to just write off that money.
- Haven't heard of premium reductions either, but I wouldn't even tell my insurance because then the onus is on you to make sure it's always functioning etc so that you don't breach the policy (same with insurance requiring that your satellite tracking needs to be functioning if you tell them about it etc).

Still a big fan of them. Especially the Garmin Dash Cam Mini (have had both 1 and 2).

 

[∀Z‾soʇɐuɐɥ┴]

They overheat in minutes, especially in a car.

Hmm, wouldn't know about this... I only ride bikes after all.

 

[Kamikaze]

Hmm, wouldn't know about this... I only ride bikes after all.

That GoPro will work perfectly in the 200km/h breeze 😂

 

[ultimate]

what more do you need other than a gopro?

Gopro will probably overheat on a drive longer that 15 minutes

 

[StangV2_0]

These are only valid for a year though right? For premium reductions?

No. When your license details are captured, they will be captured with an advanced driving course having been done. It will stay active on your details unless you request it to be removed.

You will however still get a renewal or rerate in a years' time.

 

[tommy65]

Holy crap didnt expect this many replies so quickly...
but thanks all for the replies
much appreciated...

extra brownie points for you
@StangV2_0

the dashcams i was looking for are at least a front and back
but would really have liked if there were something that could check either side door...like the tesla cam but that is not practical
maybe the dashcams that have an interior view but like a wide angle lens to somehow catch the side doors, at least to a certain extent...

 

[Dom]

Holy crap didnt expect this many replies so quickly...
but thanks all for the replies
much appreciated...

extra brownie points for you
@StangV2_0

the dashcams i was looking for are at least a front and back
but would really have liked if there were something that could check either side door...like the tesla cam but that is not practical
maybe the dashcams that have an interior view but like a wide angle lens to somehow catch the side doors, at least to a certain extent...

There are definitely options out there though

 

[Oj0]

Without a dashcam, how will you prove to the bros that you perfectly drifted through a right turn through an orange light? Holding a phone while doing so is just plain reckless. It also frees up a hand for giving a quick tug on the handbrake if you misjudged the speed or kids run into the road, as the alternative is to let go of the steering wheel to do so.

For the safety of everyone else, please get a dashcam before doing so.

 

[Kamikaze]

Holy crap didnt expect this many replies so quickly...
but thanks all for the replies
much appreciated...

extra brownie points for you
@StangV2_0

the dashcams i was looking for are at least a front and back
but would really have liked if there were something that could check either side door...like the tesla cam but that is not practical
maybe the dashcams that have an interior view but like a wide angle lens to somehow catch the side doors, at least to a certain extent...

Viofo T130 3 Channel | The Car Dash Cam Store

cardashcam.co.za

Viofo A139 3 Channel | The Car Dash Cam Store

cardashcam.co.za

Viofo A229 Plus 3ch 2k+2k+1080p HDR 5ghz Wi-fi Gps Voice Control 3 Channel Dash Camera With Dual Sony Starvis 2 Sensor | The Car Dash Cam Store

cardashcam.co.za

Stick em just the way you need.

 

[Dom]

Viofo T130 3 Channel | The Car Dash Cam Store

cardashcam.co.za

Viofo A139 3 Channel | The Car Dash Cam Store

cardashcam.co.za

Viofo A229 Plus 3ch 2k+2k+1080p HDR 5ghz Wi-fi Gps Voice Control 3 Channel Dash Camera With Dual Sony Starvis 2 Sensor | The Car Dash Cam Store

cardashcam.co.za

Stick em just the way you need.

Hmmm, looking at a Viofo - must consider the 3 channel.

 

[CraigThePlague]

Overall, dashcam have been very used useful. Saved us from arguing with insurance about liability in one accident and have caught many interesting moments over the years (if I remember I will post some of them a bit later). Personally I prefer 2 channel compared to 3 simply because having a camera pointed at me all the time was not something that I would be comfortable with. Another point is budget for a decent micro SD card. The constant overwriting ruins cheaper ones.

I have experience with 2 brands, Hikvision and 70mai, both have been positive.

We have been running 70mai dashcams for about 5 years now with no hassles. Wifi app works well and even the older Dashcams still get firmware support. I much prefer the look of them as they look much less "camera-like"

Hikvision does have better looking video. They have a better way to download footage on their app. You can pick the length of video to download vs. 70mai where you have to download in 2min increments.

I believe both brands use battery and not capacitor. I have not had any problems even in the Durban heat.

 

[pɐlΛ‾pɐq‾ƃᴉq]

Hmmm, looking at a Viofo - must consider the 3 channel.

3 Channel for those late night tunnel pulls

 

[BlueCrayon]

Well im gonna be buying a R400 cheapie from Temu and I'll let you guys know if its any good [ Don't have high hopes but oh well its only R400 ]

 

[∀Z‾soʇɐuɐɥ┴]

That GoPro will work perfectly in the 200km/h breeze 😂

True, wind does wonders to cool things down