Photo: AshBoar, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0Road Accident Fund (RAF)
Who can claim, what it pays and how to claim without a lawyer
- Claim: fill in the RAF 1 form of the 2008 Regulations (RAF claim forms; SCA, 30 April 2026) — help field by field: the RAF 1 form.
- Check your claim: 087 820 1 111 (Mon–Fri 07:30–16:30) or SMS 44930 (RAF how to claim; hours: RAF claim forms).
- Free help, no lawyer needed: an RAF information officer at a regional office (RAF regional offices).
- Every channel and what each stage means: RAF claim status.
7 chapters in one PDF, every source listed. Free, no sign-up.
Get the free PDFOn this page · 10 sections
Who can claim
According to the RAF's claims FAQs, you can claim if you are:
- a person who was injured in the accident — except a driver who was the sole cause of it;
- a dependant of a breadwinner who was killed;
- a close relative who paid for the funeral of someone killed.
A claimant under 18 must be assisted by a parent, guardian or curator. The accident must have happened in South Africa and be due to the negligence or wrongful act of a driver or owner (section 17(1) of the RAF Act). If you were partly to blame, your compensation is reduced: the RAF gives the example of a claimant 20% to blame being paid 80% (RAF FAQs).
| You were… | Can you claim? | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| A passenger in any vehicle | Yes, against the RAF for the negligent driver (even the driver of your own car) | s 17(1) RAF Act |
| A pedestrian or cyclist hit by a vehicle | Yes | s 17(1) |
| A driver who was partly to blame | Yes, reduced in proportion to your share of the blame | RAF FAQs |
| A driver who was the sole cause of the accident | No | RAF FAQs |
| An employee carried in the vehicle for work, also covered by COIDA | Yes, but only for the difference between the RAF amount and what COIDA pays | s 18(2); see COIDA |
| The driver or owner of a vehicle involved | You must report the accident to the RAF on the RAF 3 accident report form, if reasonably possible within 14 days | s 22(1)(a); RAF claim forms |
What the RAF pays — and what it never pays
| Head of claim | What the Act says |
|---|---|
| Medical and hospital costs | Past costs, and future costs through an undertaking (a written promise to pay them when incurred), at the public-health tariff (s 17(4)(a) and (4B)) |
| Loss of income / earnings | Capped at R390 664 a year, adjusted quarterly for inflation (s 17(4)(c), Board Notice 967 of 2026) |
| Loss of support (death of a breadwinner) | Same cap, per deceased breadwinner (s 17(4)(c)(ii)) — see RAF death claims |
| General damages (pain, suffering, loss of amenities) | Only for a serious injury, assessed on the RAF 4 form, paid as a lump sum (s 17(1) and (1A)) — see the serious injury assessment |
| Funeral costs | The necessary actual cost of a cremation or burial (s 18(4)) |
| Damage to vehicles, luggage, goods, buildings | Never — the RAF covers bodily injury and death only (RAF) |
| Emotional shock from witnessing or hearing of an accident | Excluded (s 19(g)) |
The cap that applies is the one in the last notice published before the accident (s 17(4A)(b)). The current amount comes from Board Notice 967 of 2026 (Government Gazette, 31 July 2026): R390 664 from 31 July 2026, calculated as R160 000 × 106.7/43.7 (CPI). Earlier in 2026 it was R381 510 (from 30 April). The Fund must adjust it every quarter (s 17(4A)(a)), so check the Gazette for a newer notice if your accident happened after October 2026.
Deadlines: 3 years, 2 years, 5 years
- Identified driver or owner: lodge within 3 years of the accident (section 23(1) of the RAF Act).
- Hit-and-run (driver and owner unknown): lodge within 2 years of the accident (RAF FAQs).
- Once lodged, a claim must be finalised — settled or taken to court — within 5 years of the accident (s 23(3); RAF FAQs).
- Undertaking claims for future medical costs: lodge and finalise within 5 years of the date the service was provided (RAF FAQs).
Prescription does not run against a minor, a person detained under mental health legislation, or a person under curatorship (s 23(2)).
After lodging: if the RAF does not object to the validity of the claim within 60 days, it is deemed valid (s 24(5)); you cannot issue summons until 120 days have passed, unless the RAF rejects the claim in writing earlier (s 24(6)).
How to claim directly, without a lawyer
The RAF says a lawyer is not required: it employs information officers at all its branch offices who help claimants free of charge. You may still choose a lawyer, who will charge a fee (RAF FAQs). The steps, from the RAF's how to claim page:
- Gather the documents (list below). Missing documents are the main reason the RAF sends a claim back.
- Complete the RAF 1 form (claim for compensation and medical report). Use the RAF 1 of the 2008 Regulations: on 30 April 2026 the Supreme Court of Appeal confirmed that Board Notices 271 and 302 of 2022, which had introduced a stricter RAF 1, are set aside and that "the position reverts to the RAF 1 form prescribed under the 2008 regulations" (SCA media summary). Answer every question; write "not applicable" where needed; sign any correction (s 24(4)). If you claim general damages, add the RAF 4 serious injury assessment report. Field-by-field help: the RAF 1 form.
- Get the medical report completed by the doctor or hospital that treated the injuries (s 24(2)).
- Lodge the original by hand or registered post at an RAF office. E-mailed forms are not accepted; if you fax, send the original too (RAF claim forms). When you deliver by hand, the RAF must acknowledge receipt and the date in writing (s 24(1)(b)). Keep copies of everything.
- Follow up: check that nothing is outstanding through the RAF contact centre on 087 820 1 111 or by SMS to 44930 (RAF). All the channels and what each stage means: RAF claim status.
Regional offices where claims are lodged and information officers help with direct claims: Parktown (Johannesburg), Pretoria, Centurion, Durban, Cape Town and East London (RAF regional offices).
Documents for an injury claim
The RAF's standard list for injury claims (how to claim):
- statutory medical report and copies of all hospital and medical records;
- the amount claimed;
- certified copy of the claimant's ID (and the injured person's, if different); unabridged birth certificate if a parent claims for a child;
- official accident report (police docket) and sketch plan;
- consent for the RAF to inspect your medical records and your financial and earnings information;
- an affidavit setting out how the accident happened (s 19(f)(i)) and any other statements about it;
- for loss of earnings: employer's certificate, payslips before and after the accident, tax records (or a SARS letter plus 3 years of bank statements);
- for general damages: the RAF 4 form and photographs of injuries or scarring;
- for past medical expenses: itemised tax invoices and proof of payment.
Death claims also need the death certificate, proof of relationship and, for loss of support, the documents proving dependency; funeral claims need the funeral invoice and proof of payment.
RAF contact details and offices
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| Contact centre | 087 820 1 111 (Mon–Fri 07:30–16:30), [email protected] |
| Claim status by SMS | 44930 (RAF) — every channel and what each stage means: RAF claim status |
| Head office | 2 Eco Glades Office Park, 420 Witch Hazel Avenue, Centurion — (012) 621 1691 (Mon–Fri 07:45–16:00), fax (012) 621 1640 |
| Complaints | [email protected] |
| Report fraud | [email protected] |
| Report unethical conduct | 0800 111 224, [email protected] |
| Where to lodge a claim | Regional offices in Parktown (Johannesburg), Pretoria, Centurion, Durban, Cape Town and East London (RAF) |
Contact details from the RAF's claim forms page. The same page lists the emergency numbers to use at the scene of an accident: 10111 (police), 10177 (ambulance) and 112 from a cellphone.
The RAF fuel levy in 2026
The RAF is funded by a levy on every litre of petrol and diesel (section 5 of the RAF Act). In the Budget Review 2026, National Treasury raised it by 7c to R2.25 per litre from 1 April 2026, up from R2.18 in 2024/25 and 2025/26, "in line with expected inflation". The Minister's fuel price statement of 31 March 2026 confirmed the levy at 225.0 c/l on both petrol and diesel.
| Fuel taxes, rand per litre (93 petrol) | 2025/26 | 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Road Accident Fund levy | 2.18 | 2.25 |
| General fuel levy | 4.01 | 4.10 |
| Total fuel taxes | 6.37 | 6.58 |
Source: Budget Review 2026, table 4.9. A temporary cut to the general fuel levy from 1 April to 5 May 2026 did not apply to the RAF levy (gov.za).
Is the RAF Act changing?
On 6 October 2026 the Department of Transport told Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Transport that it is finalising amendments to the RAF Act covering capped claims, rehabilitation, mediation and conciliation, and claims by foreign nationals, to be tabled "soon" (Parliament). No amendment bill had been tabled at that date. Until a new law is passed and in force, the rules on this page apply.
For damage to cars, which the RAF never covers, see car insurance in South Africa.
Already insured?
Next step
Frequently asked questions
How long do I have to claim from the Road Accident Fund?
3 years from the accident if the driver or owner is identified (RAF Act s 23(1)), 2 years for a hit-and-run. A lodged claim must be finalised within 5 years of the accident. Time does not run against minors.
Do I need a lawyer to claim from the RAF?
No. The RAF says information officers at all its branch offices help claimants free of charge. You may still use an attorney, who will charge a fee — never sign a share of your payout to someone who is not an attorney.
What is the RAF loss of income cap in 2026?
R390 664 a year from 31 July 2026 (Board Notice 967 of 2026), for loss of income and per deceased breadwinner for loss of support. It is adjusted quarterly; the cap in force before the accident date applies.
Does the RAF pay for damage to my car?
No. The RAF covers bodily injury and death only, never vehicles, luggage, goods or buildings. Damage to cars is a matter for your own insurance or a claim against the driver at fault.
How much is the RAF levy per litre in 2026?
R2.25 per litre on petrol and diesel from 1 April 2026, up 7c from R2.18 (National Treasury, Budget Review 2026; fuel price statement of 31 March 2026).
Can I claim from the RAF after 10 or 20 years?
Usually not. A claim must be lodged within 3 years of the accident (2 years for a hit-and-run) and, if not settled, taken to court within 5 years of the accident (RAF Act s 23). The exception: prescription does not run against a minor, a person detained under mental health legislation or a person under curatorship (s 23(2)), so a child injured years ago may still be in time.
How do I check my RAF claim status?
Call the RAF contact centre on 087 820 1 111 or send an SMS to 44930 with your claim reference. See RAF claim status for every channel and the 60-day and 120-day rules.
How much does the RAF pay for an injury?
There is no fixed amount per injury. The RAF pays proven medical costs, proven loss of income (capped at R390 664 a year from 31 July 2026) and, only for a serious injury assessed on the RAF 4 form, general damages decided case by case. See the serious injury assessment.
Can a passenger claim from the Road Accident Fund?
Yes. A passenger injured through the negligent driving of any vehicle — including the car they were travelling in — can claim under section 17(1) of the RAF Act. If the passenger was an employee carried for work and is also covered by COIDA, the RAF pays only the difference above the COIDA compensation (s 18(2)).
Can I claim from the RAF if the accident was my fault?
Not if you were the driver and the sole cause of the accident. If you were only partly to blame, you can claim, but your compensation is reduced in proportion — the RAF's example is a claimant 20% to blame being paid 80%.
Which RAF 1 form must I use in 2026?
The RAF 1 form of the 2008 Regulations. On 30 April 2026 the Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed the RAF's appeal and confirmed that Board Notices 271 and 302 of 2022, which had brought in a stricter form, are set aside.
What is the RAF contact number?
The contact centre is 087 820 1 111 (Monday to Friday, 07:30–16:30) and [email protected]; claim status by SMS to 44930. Head office in Centurion: (012) 621 1691.
How long does a Road Accident Fund claim take?
The Act sets no payment date. It sets stages: the RAF has 60 days to object to the validity of a lodged claim (s 24(5)); you cannot sue before 120 days unless it rejects the claim earlier (s 24(6)); and the claim must be settled or in court within 5 years of the accident (s 23(3)). After a court award, interest runs once 14 days have passed from the order (s 17(3)(a)).
Can I submit my RAF claim by email?
No. The RAF requires the original RAF 1 form, delivered by hand or by registered post to an RAF office; e-mailed forms are not accepted and faxed forms must be followed by the original.
Sources
- Road Accident Fund Act 56 of 1996, consolidated text (LawLibrary / Laws.Africa, as amended to 2010; ss 17, 19, 21, 23 and 24 as substituted by Act 19 of 2005)
- Government Gazette 55097, 31 July 2026 — Board Notice 967 of 2026, RAF adjustment of statutory limit for loss of income and loss of support
- Supreme Court of Appeal — media summary, Road Accident Fund v Legal Practitioners' Indemnity Insurance Fund NPC [2026] ZASCA 63 (30 April 2026): Board Notices 271 and 302 of 2022 set aside, the 2008 RAF 1 form applies
- Road Accident Fund — Claims FAQs (archived copy of 17 January 2026)
- Road Accident Fund — How to claim (archived copy of 22 April 2026)
- Road Accident Fund — Claim forms: RAF 1, RAF 3, RAF 4, and head-office contact details (archived copy of 22 April 2026)
- Road Accident Fund — Regional offices (archived copy of 17 January 2026)
- Road Accident Fund — Products and services: Cover (archived copy of 11 March 2026)
- National Treasury — Budget Review 2026, Chapter 4 (fuel taxes, table 4.9)
- Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources via gov.za — fuel price adjustment from 1 April 2026 (statement of 31 March 2026)
- Parliament of South Africa — RAF legislation to be amended (Portfolio Committee on Transport, 6 October 2026)