Having dash cam footage of an accident is one thing. Getting it into the hands of your insurance adjuster in a format they can use — quickly enough to affect the claim outcome — is another.
Most drivers don't know the process until they need it. Here's the complete guide to submitting dash cam footage to your insurance company effectively.
Immediately After the Accident: Protect the Clip
Before you do anything else at the scene, secure the footage. Loop recording is always writing to the SD card — within minutes to hours, the clip containing your incident could be overwritten.
Three ways to protect it immediately:
- File lock button: Most cameras have a physical button (often marked with a lock icon or a red dot) that locks the current file and prevents it from being overwritten. Press it within the first few minutes.
- App event flag: Open the Nexar app and find the trip. The incident should be automatically flagged if the G-sensor triggered. Tap to save or star the clip.
- Remove the SD card: As a last resort, you can remove the SD card from the camera entirely, which stops loop recording and preserves all current footage. Label it with the date and time and store it somewhere safe until you can review and copy the relevant clip.
What to Record at the Scene
While your dash cam covers the driving footage, supplement it with phone video and photos at the scene:
- Both vehicles in their final positions (before moving them)
- All damage to both vehicles — multiple angles
- License plate of the other vehicle
- Other driver's license and insurance card (photograph, don't copy by hand)
- Intersection, road markings, traffic signals visible in context
- Witness contact information if anyone approaches
This phone footage complements your dash cam footage. The dash cam shows the sequence of events. Your scene photos document the outcome.
Exporting the Footage: Format Matters
Do not submit a raw link to a social media post or a compressed video from your phone's camera roll. Submit the original file from the SD card or cloud storage.
- From the SD card: Connect the card to your computer using a card reader. Copy — don't move — the relevant file to your desktop. The original stays on the card.
- From Nexar cloud: In the app, tap the clip, then tap the download icon. The original-quality file downloads to your phone's camera roll. From there, transfer it to your computer or share directly.
- File format: Dash cam files are typically .mp4 or .mov. These are universally accepted. Do not convert the file to another format — conversion changes the metadata and can raise questions about authenticity.
Keep the original file untouched. If you want to trim or annotate footage for your own review, make a copy first and work from the copy.
Calling Your Insurer: What to Say
When you call to file the claim, mention the dash cam footage in the opening sentence. Not at the end — at the beginning.
Script: "I'm calling to file a claim for an accident that occurred today at [time] on [street]. I have dash cam footage of the incident available. How would you like me to submit it?"
This does two things: it signals that the claim has evidentiary support, and it prompts the adjuster to open the footage submission process immediately rather than treating it as an afterthought.
How Insurers Accept Footage
Submission methods vary by insurer:
- Online claims portal: Most major insurers (GEICO, State Farm, Progressive, Allstate) allow file uploads directly in the claims portal. Look for an "attach documents" or "upload evidence" option during claim creation.
- Email: Some adjusters accept footage via email. Be aware that video files are large — compress to 500MB or less if needed, or use a file sharing service like Google Drive or Dropbox and provide the link. Do not use consumer compression tools that reduce quality significantly.
- Shared drive link: Upload the original file to Google Drive or Dropbox with "anyone with the link can view" access, then provide the link. This is often the cleanest method for large files.
- In-person at a claims center: Some adjusters prefer to receive footage on a USB drive at a local claims facility. Bring the original SD card as backup.
What Adjusters Look For in Dash Cam Footage
Understanding what your adjuster is trying to determine helps you frame the footage submission effectively.
- Speed at impact: They're looking for evidence of whether either driver was speeding. GPS-stamped footage makes this immediately readable.
- Following distance: For rear-end claims, the footage before the collision establishes whether appropriate following distance was maintained.
- Right of way: For intersection and merge claims, the footage establishes which vehicle had the right of way based on visible signals, lane markings, and positions.
- Driver behavior pre-impact: Was a driver distracted? Talking on a phone? Making erratic movements? The footage often reveals this clearly.
- The sequence of contact: Which vehicle moved first, and in what direction? This resolves disputed accounts of how the collision sequence unfolded.
If the Other Driver Also Has a Dash Cam
Both parties having dash cam footage is increasingly common. Adjusters compare both recordings to identify inconsistencies. Each party's footage is typically taken from their own perspective — forward-facing from driver position. Together, they often provide a nearly complete picture of the incident.
Do not be concerned if the other driver has footage too — if you weren't at fault, two independent recordings corroborating the same sequence of events is stronger evidence than one.
If Your Footage Is Unfavorable
Your insurer will likely request your footage regardless of what it shows. Withholding footage that exists and was disclosed can constitute a breach of your insurance contract and potentially insurance fraud. If your footage shows you were at fault, submitting it honestly is both legally required and the correct approach.
Evidence of fault accelerates claim resolution and reduces total legal exposure compared to a prolonged dispute where fault is eventually established anyway.
After Submission: Follow Up
After submitting, confirm receipt with your adjuster by email. Ask them to confirm that the file opened correctly and that the timestamp and GPS data are visible. If you submitted via a shared link, confirm they've downloaded a copy.
Request a written summary of how the footage was used in the fault determination. This becomes part of your claim record and is important if the claim is later disputed or if you need to involve an attorney.