Claims
How to claim
A claim can be lodged by an injured person, by the dependants of a person who died, or by someone who paid funeral costs. You do not need an attorney to claim, but you may use one.
Time limits apply
In general a claim must be lodged within three years of the accident, or within two years where neither the vehicle owner nor the driver could be identified. Do not wait until the last months.
Five steps to lodge a claim
- 1As soon as possible
Report the accident
Report the accident at the nearest police station and keep the case or accident report number.
- 2
Get medical attention and records
Ask the treating doctor or hospital for the medical records and for the medical report section of the claim form.
- 3
Complete the claim form
Fill in the claim registration form. The service centre staff can help you at no cost.
- 4
Gather supporting documents
Certified identity document, police report, medical records, proof of income or expenses, and for deaths the death certificate and proof of dependency.
- 5
Lodge and follow your claim
Lodge the claim at a service centre or through an attorney, then follow its progress in My RAF and upload any further documents online.
Types of claims
Personal injury
For people injured in the accident: medical costs, loss of earnings and, for serious injuries, general damages.
Loss of support
For dependants who relied on a person who died in the accident.
Funeral costs
For the person who paid the reasonable cost of the funeral.
Supplier claims
For hospitals and other suppliers who treated or helped an injured person.
Forms you may need
- Claim registration form (sample)Download
PDF · 4 KB · English · 2026
- Medical report form (sample)Download
PDF · 3 KB · English · 2026
- Supplier claim form (sample)Download
PDF · 3 KB · English · 2026
- Serious injury assessment report (sample)Download
PDF · 3 KB · English · 2025
Common questions about claims
Answers to the questions people ask most. The assistant on every page answers from the same content.
Complete the claim registration form and lodge it with your certified identity document, the police accident report or case number, and your medical records. You can lodge at any customer service centre or through an attorney. Staff at the service centres help you complete the form at no cost. Once lodged, you receive a claim number that you can use to follow the claim in My RAF.
A person injured in a road accident in South Africa caused by the negligent driving of a motor vehicle may claim. Dependants of a person who died may claim for loss of support, and the person who paid for the funeral may claim the funeral costs. Suppliers such as hospitals lodge their own claims. A driver whose negligence alone caused the accident generally cannot claim for their own injuries.
In general a claim must be lodged within three years of the date of the accident. Where neither the owner nor the driver of the vehicle could be identified (a hit-and-run), the period is two years. Different rules can apply to minors and in other special cases, so contact us early if you are unsure.
No. You can lodge a claim yourself and the customer service centres help you at no cost. You may choose to appoint an attorney. If you do, your attorney can submit documents and follow the claim for you through the portal.
You can still claim, but the claim must be lodged within two years. You also need to show that the accident was reported to the police, usually with an affidavit made at the police station soon after the accident.
Yes. If you depended on the person for financial support you may claim for loss of support. The person who paid for the funeral may claim the reasonable funeral costs. You will need the death certificate, proof of the relationship and proof of the deceased's income.
Ready to submit documents?
If you already have a claim number, sign in to upload documents and get a receipt at once.
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