Dash cameras have become increasingly popular among Ontario drivers, and for good reason. A small camera mounted inside your vehicle can provide an objective record of what happened before, during, and after an incident. While dash cam footage can be extremely helpful during an insurance claim, it's important to remember that it can also work against you if it captures unsafe driving on your part.
At Gibb Insurance Brokers, we believe dash cams can be a valuable tool, but like any unobjective evidence, they tell the story as it happened.
When Dash Cam Footage Can Help
A dash cam can provide valuable evidence if:
- Another driver disputes what happened.
- A witness provides conflicting information.
- A hit-and-run vehicle is captured on camera.
- Road conditions, traffic signals, or weather played a role in the collision.
- Fraudulent or staged accidents are suspected.
Video evidence may allow insurance adjusters to determine what happened more quickly and accurately, potentially helping to resolve claims faster. Dash cam footage has become increasingly accepted by insurers and courts when it is authentic, relevant, and unedited.
When It Can Complicate a Claim
A dash cam doesn't just record the other driver, it records you too.
If the footage shows speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, rolling through a stop sign, or any other unsafe behaviour, it may affect how fault is assessed. Even if another driver contributed to the collision, your own actions may also become part of the investigation.
The best approach is simple: drive every day as though someone is watching.
What Does the OPP Say?
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) regularly ask the public to
submit dash cam footage when investigating serious collisions and other incidents. Video from drivers who witnessed an event can provide investigators with valuable evidence that might otherwise be unavailable.
Privacy Considerations
Using a dash cam is generally legal in Ontario when it records public roadways. However, there are a few important considerations:
- Mount the camera so it does not obstruct your view.
- Be cautious when recording audio, as Canada's consent laws can apply to private conversations.
- Think carefully before posting footage online.
While recording on public roads is generally permitted, sharing footage that identifies individuals on social media may raise privacy concerns.
Dash Cam Do's and Don'ts
Do:
- Install the camera securely.
- Set the correct date and time.
- Save important footage immediately so it isn't overwritten.
- Keep the original, unedited recording.
- Provide footage to your insurance company if requested.
Don't:
- Edit or alter the video.
- Delete footage after a collision or serious incident.
- Assume the footage automatically proves you were not at fault.
- Share videos publicly before speaking with your insurer if the incident is under investigation.
If You Witness an Incident
Your dash cam may help someone else. If you witness a collision or another serious incident:
- Save the recording immediately.
- Note the time and location.
- Contact the police if appropriate.
- If investigators request footage, provide them with the original recording whenever possible.
The Bottom Line
A dash cam isn't a substitute for safe driving, but it can be an excellent witness when the unexpected happens. The clearest video evidence often helps insurers determine what occurred, reduce disputes, and resolve claims more efficiently.
If you have questions about auto insurance, accident claims, or the coverages that protect you after a collision, the team at Gibb Insurance Brokers is always happy to answer the phone and help.