Road fatality and injury have long been a serious national issue in South Africa every year. However, not all victims can claim business insurance successfully. That’s why the South African governments launched a Road Accident Fund (RAF). It simplifies the procedures to claim the fund. If you have applied for it, you might be eager to know whether and when you will receive the compensation. Therefore, a RAF status check is necessary. This passage will talk about basic information about RAF and how to check road accident fund claim.
Understanding Road Accident Fund/RAF
The Road Accident Fund, also known as RAF for short, is a state-supported supplementary insurance for all road users in South Africa. It aims to provide compensation to those who are injured or lose their lives in road accidents as well as their families. The compensation is used to relieve the financial burden on medical expenses, loss of income support, funeral expenses, and so on caused by the accident.
Eligibility for RAF Claim
Anyone involved in road accidents taking place within the borders of South Africa might be eligible for RAF. Here is who can file the claim. Please note that even if the road accident covers a wide range of losses, it does not provide compensation for damage to property and personal belongings or non-pecuniary damages.
- South African residents or citizens:
They include individuals hurt in a road accident in South Africa, such as drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, passengers, or pedestrians. It does matter whether they directly operate the vehicle or not when the accident happens.
- Foreign Nationals
Tourists and visitors who get injured in a road accident are also covered by RAF. The claim must be lodged in South Africa. If they have left the country, it could be done by a local representative.
- Dependents of Deceased Victims
It could be the spouse, children, parents, or other dependents who are financially supported by the deceased.
- Minor Victims
Victims of road accidents under 18 should have their parents or legal guardians lodge the claim on their behalf.
- Unidentified or Uninsured Drivers
All victims are under protection no matter who the at-fault party is or what insurance status the driver is.
How to File Road Accident Fund Claim
After confirming your eligibility for RAF, you can claim it through the steps below.
- Fill out and sign the RAF claim forms which are available on the RAF website or the physical RAF offices.
- Prepare supporting documents, including medical reports, proof of income, police reports, identity documents, proof of relationship, witness statements, photos of the accident scene, etc.
- Submit all the documents to the RAF office in person or by registered mail.
- Receive a receipt confirmation from the RAF and monitor the RAF status check.
How to Check RAF Claim Status Online
Monitoring the progress of your Road Accident Fund claim helps you learn about whether your request has been received, processed, or approved. RAF claim status check 2024 can be done online or offline.
RAF Website
The website is available 24/7, so you can have a RAF claim status check online at any time and anywhere by following the following steps.
- Visit the RAF official website and navigate to the accident claim page.
- Enter the Accident Report Number (ARP) in the search bar and click on the “View The Claims Details” button. The number refers to the reference number that is given after filing a claim.
- View the details of your claim and the current status.
RAF Call Center
Alternatively, you can talk to the RAF call center directly by dialing (087) 820 1 111. It is necessary to note that the hotline is available between 7:45 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. The number is toll-free and you might not get connected immediately when the line is too busy. The staff will ask you for the claim reference number, name, ID number, birth date, or any other personal information to verify your identity before helping you check the status of your claim.
Consult with Attorney
Supposing that you file the claim through an attorney, he/she will be professional about case inquiry. The authority will contact your representative whenever there are any extra requirements or updates. You can ask him/her to learn about any developments or changes, such as the decision of your request, estimated timelines, or any further actions.
Visit RAF Office
Going to a local RAF office in person is more suitable for complicated cases. If there is any confusion or delays, you can address it on the spot. Here is a list of regional offices across South Africa. You can choose a nearby one and bring the reference number as well as a valid proof of identity there. It is suggested to contact the selected branch and confirm its opening hours before visiting.
| Regions | Physical Address | Contacts |
| Johannesburg, Gauteng | 10 Junction AveParktown Johannesburg 2193 | Tel: 011 223 0000 Fax: 011 223 0100 |
| Pretoria, Gauteng | 38 Ida Street Menlo Park 0081 | Tel: 012 429 5000 |
| Durban, KwaZulu-Natal | 12th Floor The Embassy Building 199 Anton Lembede Street Durban 4001 | Tel: 031 365 2800 Fax: 031 365 2900 |
| East London, Eastern Cape | Metropolitan Life Building c/o Drury lane and Caxton street East London 5201 | Tel: 043 702 7800 Fax: 043 702 7850 |
| Cape Town, Western Cape | 7th Floor No. 1 Thibault Square Long Street Cape Town 8001 | Tel: 021 408 3300 Fax: 021 419 7417 / 8740 |
| Centurion, Gauteng | 420 Witch Hazel Avenue Eco Glades Office Park Centurion 0046 | Tel: 012 621 1691 Fax: 012 621 1640 |
Email Correspondence
You can send an inquiry email to customerservices@raf.co.za. Make sure to explain that you are writing for a RAF status check concisely and include your claim reference number and personal details in the email. Email inquiries are often used to address non-emergency issues as the authority might not reply immediately.
Track via Postal Mail
If you cannot access RAF claim status check online or other digital channels, sending an inquiry by mail is an alternative. However, it takes much longer time to receive an answer. Here is the postal address of RAF.
2 Eco Glades Office Park
420 Witch-Hazel Avenue
Centurion
0046
Pretoria
How Long does the RAF Claim Process Take?
The processing time ranges from a few months to years subject to the complexity of the claim and the efficiency at each stage. To help you find out how long you have to wait, it is necessary to learn about the different stages of dealing with a RAF claim.
- Preparation (1-3 months)
It is the initial stages to lodge a claim, including determining the eligibility, taking physical or psychological examination, and collecting evidence. Applicants have to prepare a set of documents and submit the request. The more complicated the case is, the longer time it will take.
- RAF Investigation (120 days)
After receiving your claim, RAF officers will investigate the road accidents, identity and medical conditions of the victims, etc. However, it is reported that RAF has to spend more than 120 days if the case is too complicated.
- Negotiation and Litigation (6 months – 2 years)
RAF will offer a compensation amount to the claimer after the investigation. However, if the applicant does not accept the settlement, the case might go to court. The processing time will be extended significantly during legal procedures.
- Settlement and payment (1-3 months)
After the case is settled, RAF will pay within 180 days or longer. There might be delays in the case of administrative backlogs, wrong payment information, etc. All you need is to wait patiently and keep in touch with your attorney or the authority to check RAF claim status.
FAQ
Q: Who can claim from the RAF?
A: Victims of road accidents in South Africa, including the injured and dependents of the deceased.
Q: What types of claims can I make through the RAF?
A: There are 4 types of claims depending on the impacts of the accident: (1) medical costs: for treatment and rehabilitation; (2) loss of income: for job loss due to temporary/permanent injury or the death of the family breadwinner; (3) general damages: for minor pains, sufferings, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life; (4) funeral expenses: for dependents of the deceased.
Q: What are common challenges with RAF claims?
A: There might be a long processing time, low compensation amounts, delayed payment, or financial difficulty.
Q: What is the SMS number for the RAF?
A: 44930.
Q: What is the RAF WhatsApp number?
A: (071) 605 4707.
Q: How to check my RAF claim status online?
A: You should go to the RAF official website and provide the reference number.
Conclusion
The Road Accident Fund helps those who suffer in a traffic accident in South Africa. It is a matter of patience and persistence to lodge a claim and wait for the result. No matter when you claim it yourself or through a representative, the RAF status check is necessary and it can be done online, by phone, through physical visits, email, postal mail, SMS, or WhatsApp.
Erin Lo