Car been damaged in a traffic collision that was someone else's fault, but don't have any proof?
Or worried about being the victim of a 'crash for cash' fraudster, and need the right sort of video evidence to catch them out and send them to jail?
Well, sounds like you could use a dash cam.
Year on year, dash cam ownership is becoming more and more popular, but in case you're still asking, 'How do dash cams work', or, 'Are dash cams worth it?', this blog will answer all of your questions.
We'll be looking at exactly how you use a dash cam is, what types are on offer, how much they cost, and what they can (and can't) do for you and your vehicle.
What Is a Dash Cam?
Not that you need telling, but just in case, we'll say it anyway . . .
A dash cam, or dashboard camera to give it its full name, is a small piece of electronic equipment. Dash cams record video footage of the road whilst you're driving, and most modern ones automatically start recording as soon as you switch the engine on.
How Do You Fit a Dash Cam?
Pretty simple, really.
Most dash cams come with a suction cup or sticky pad to secure it in place, and you fit the camera either behind or next to your rear-view mirror.
It's likely that it'll come with a basic installation kit, so all you need to do is plug it in, point the lens at the road, then adjust the viewing angle by rotating the camera, and Bob's your uncle!
Some of the more intricate dash cams might require a professional installation, however.
Types of Dash Cams
Speaking of which, here's a quick rundown of the main types of dash cam models . . .
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Front view: As the name suggests, these dash cams capture everything that's directly in front of your vehicle. Being the most popular type, they're also the cheapest (more on prices later).
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Front and back view: As well as the front view, these cameras also capture what's going on behind your vehicle. After all, a large number of accidents involve rear-end collisions, so this could be a worthy investment.
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Cabin view: These record the inside or 'cabin' of your vehicle. Probably only necessary if you're a taxi driver or a professional driver, or possibly if you often find yourself sharing a car.
Are Dash Cams Legal?
Yep. Dashcams are legally available in the UK without a special permit.
However, that isn't the case everywhere, and it's worth noting that they're banned in certain European countries. If you're caught with one in Austria, you're looking at a fine of up to £22,000. Ouch!
And even here in the UK, there's a couple of things you need to watch out for . . .
Firstly, it's important that a dash cam doesn't obscure your view or intrude more than 44mm into the area covered by your windscreen wipers. In the event of an accident, you could be blamed if it's discovered that your dash cam obscured your vision.
Secondly, if you have a cabin-facing dash cam installed, it's a legal requirement for you to inform your passengers that they are being recorded. Filming without their consent could potentially lead to legal consequences.
With A Dash Cam, You Have First-Hand Evidence of a Car Accident
Obviously, the biggest benefit of a dash cam is that you'll have footage and therefore proof that another driver was at fault in a traffic collision (notice how we didn't say 'accident'). Needless to say, this footage can prove very valuable in a court case.
But on the flipside of the coin, your dash cam footage could also be used against you in court if it turns out that you were the driver at fault. On that note, the police have the right to seize your dash cam, and you can't refuse to hand it over.
You Can Prevent Fraud
You may have heard about the notorious 'crash for cash' scammers.
This is a technique whereby another driver will deliberately force you into a crash for monetary gain. As well as extorting cash from the intended victim (you, in other words), they may try to fake an injury that can't easily be detected by x-ray so as to seek compensation from insurance companies.
As well as costing genuine road users and insurers millions of pounds each year, it's obviously a very dangerous and sinister practice that puts lives at risk.
Yet with a dash cam, you can catch these malignant fraudsters out in the act, as footage can prove that the other driver deliberately took action to cause the incident.
Can Encourage You to be a Safer Driver
Because you know that your driving is being recorded, and because you know that dash cam footage can be potentially vital to any court case following an accident, you're bound to be a bit more sensible in your day-to-day driving habits. A bit like having your Mum or driving instructor sat full-time in the seat next to you . . . (some job, that!).
So, whether that means creeping out more slowly at a blind junction, obeying the speed limit to the letter, or deciding not to run the occasional red light . . . you might be all the better for having a dash cam.
And we all know that more careful driving means less chance of making a claim on your insurance, meaning cheaper premiums.
Road Trip Memories
Ever fancied turning your road trip into an unforgettable journey that you can relive over and over again whenever nostalgia kicks in?
Well, a dash cam is certainly one way of going about it. Because just like any camera, it enables you to store your memories on screen. Every last mile.
Or maybe you'd rather just keep those memories in your head . . . which is perfectly alright too!
Chance to Catch Unusual Events
Whilst extreme weather isn't exactly common in Britain (think tornadoes, tsunamis and the sort of things you see in America or Russia), a dash cam could still catch footage of certain unlikely events.
If you take a look through online videos of car accidents and unexpected phenomena, you'll notice that most of them have been accidentally caught on camera in the 'chance of the moment'. In other words, a dash cam can help you capture the things that you least expect, meaning that you can re-watch it, laugh at it, post it online, or do whatever with it really.
You never know, it might even go viral!
Great for Driving Lessons
Dash cams allow driving instructors to 'go back in time' and show pupils something they did or didn't do in a certain scenario, especially if that scenario doesn't come up very often in daily driving. And these videos can also be used to future pupils as examples or to highlight the different scenarios learners must be aware of. (For legal purposes, the instructor must notify learners whenever a dash camera is recording from within a vehicle.)
And as most dash cams come with GPS capabilities, driving instructors can identify what test routes might be favoured by driving examiners on the driving test. But it should be pointed out that the DVSA doesn't accept internal dash cams filming the inside of a vehicle during tests.
How Much Does a Dash Cam Cost?
The most basic type of dash cams can go for as low as £15, whilst the more fancier versions can cost as much as £1600. These often include features like Alexa voice control, GPS tracking, speed warning capabilities and built-in touchscreens which will all do something to ramp up the price.
Most middle-of-the-range, good quality dash cams with a decent but not extensive list of features usually cost between £80 and £120. Some might also require you to invest in an SD memory card which can cost from £6 for a 32GB version to £9 for a 64GB.
At the end of the day, the only thing that matters is getting the right one for you. So . . . better start looking.
How Would It Impact My Insurance?
In the sense that the dash cam footage can prove you weren't the guilty driver and therefore make it unnecessary for you to have to make a claim, then yes, dash cams do affect your car insurance.
But can installing a dash cam make your insurance premium cheaper in the first place?
Most of the time, no. Whilst some insurance companies do offer drivers lower premiums if they install a dash cam, it's not the norm, and there are better ways to get cheaper car insurance.
The aim of insurers is to reduce 'risk' and minimise the chance of them having to pay out via a claim. Unfortunately, scientific studies suggest that there's no strong evidence to support the claim that installing a dash cam reduces the 'risk' of you becoming involved in an accident. Therefore, the majority of insurance providers don't really see the need to offer a discount to dash cam users.
Do Dash Cams Work When Parked?
Some do, but not all.
Most dash cams get their power from your car’s cigarette lighter port, and since this isn’t active when your car’s not running, most dash cams won't be able to record when parked.
However, certain dash cams do offer protection around the clock. These usually come as a set of two – one for the rear of your car, and one for the front. Since their cameras generally offer 180° views, with two cameras you can capture footage around the full 360° of your car.
Unlike regular dash cams, these come with fittings that connect directly to the car’s battery, meaning they can continue operating even when the engine is off. And there's no risk of draining the car battery overnight, as they automatically deactivate if your battery's running low.
Summary
There you have it. The ultimate lowdown on all things dash cam.
So, are dash cams worth it?
Well, you will need to dish out money for one, and some can cost a pretty penny, but if you're keen to avoid insurance claims and catch out 'crash for cash' fraudsters, then it's not a bad way to go.
FAQs
Do dash cameras reduce insurance?
Sometimes, but not all insurance companies provide lower premiums to drivers with dash cams installed. This is because there's not enough evidence to link the presence of a dash cam with less 'risk', from an insurance point of view.
Do dash cams work when the car is off?
Because they require power from the car when it's running, most dash cams don't work when your car is switched off. However, some dash cams do offer around-the-clock, 24/7 protection.
What’s the difference between a black box and a dash cam?
Dash cams provide a visual record of your journey, whereas a black box records data relating to your driving style and habits.
Can my dash cam footage be used against me in court?
Certainly can, if authorities believe you were responsible for a collision. The police have the right to detain your footage, and you can't refuse to hand it over.
How long do dash cameras record for?
It depends on the dash cam's storage size. For example, you can expect an 8GB dash cam to record for about an hour, and a 16GB one for almost two hours. dangerous driving.
Where does dash cam footage go?
The footage is usually saved in the dash cam's SD card, but it can also be stored on your smart phone or on a cloud account.