Will having a dash cam reduce the cost of my car insurance?

Dash cams are becoming increasingly popular with drivers, as they can be used to provide recorded evidence which can aid and protect motorists in the event of an incident.

There are many types of dash cams available, from simple versions with audio and video recording, to those with numerous add-ons, such as Road Safety Alerts, built in GPS and Time and Date stamping.

There are several ways that having a dash cam can benefit you financially. Firstly, several insurance companies are offering reduced premiums to drivers who have dash cams fitted to their vehicles, as they believe that drivers who know they are being recorded are likely to be more cautious on the roads.

Next, if you are involved in an accident, the dash cam footage can be used as credible evidence to prove who was at fault. This could be extremely helpful in terms of preserving your No Claims Discount, if applicable. To prove what happened during the incident, you can send the footage directly to your insurance company for viewing. Most leading motor insurance companies are now accepting dash cam footage as evidence in the event of a claim.

It is important to note that not all insurance companies offer discounts or financial incentives for having a dash cam fitted. Furthermore, some companies have additional requirements that the chosen dash cam must have. For example, some insurers state that the footage must be high-resolution with clear number plate recognition, whereas other insurers highlight the necessity to have Time and Date Stamping.

Whilst fitting a dash cam is a simple task for many, some insurance companies state that the device must be fitted by an industry professional. We would therefore advise checking each of these points with your insurer.

You should note, if you inform your insurer that you have a dash cam fitted and are benefitting from discounted premiums for doing so, you must be able to provide dash cam evidence to your insurer in the event of a claim. If you are unable to provide relevant evidence to your insurer because your dash cam wasn’t switched on (for example), you may be penalised. Again, we would advise checking the exact terms of use with your insurer.

If you wish to find further information, there are a number of review websites, such as TechRadar, which provide a detailed overview of the dash cams available in the market.