As more Japanese motorists seek additional protection in case of accidents, sales of dashboard-mounted cameras, or dashcams, have gone up. Several insurers have also integrated these devices into their motor insurance policies.
Many motorists install cameras on both front and rear windshields to gather evidence in case of traffic accidents. Dashcams that automatically activate in reaction to shocks on vehicles while parked are also becoming more popular, according to a report by Kyodo News.
Japanese dashcam manufacturers shipped around 1.4 million units in the past fiscal year, up 40% from the year before, the report added.
Meanwhile, insurers have also begun recognising the use of dashcams in insurance. In April,
Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance introduced a rider to its motor insurance products that lends a dashcam to policyholders. The device, developed with Pioneer, will automatically connect to a
Tokio Marine operator in case of an accident. The operator will be able to provide helpful advice to the motorist and help contacting relevant authorities.
According to Tokio Marine, it will introduce more beneficial features in the future. Beginning this month, the device will also warn distracted drivers if they drive too close to the vehicle in front of them.
Another Japanese motor insurer,
Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance, has partnered with Sohgo Security Services to provide its policyholders with a dashcam that detects shocks to the vehicle. If the shock exceeds a certain magnitude, the device will automatically contact
Sompo Japan’s data centre and deploy Sohgo staff to the accident site.
The device also helps diagnose the policyholder’s driving skills by collecting telematics data that can be reviewed on the insurer’s site later.
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