While they may feel like a small piece of technology compared to the rest of your vehicle, dashboard cameras – or dashcams for short – can make a big difference if you’re involved in an accident. By recording your journey, a dashcam can provide an extra layer of reassurance, helping capture important details if something unexpected happens.
In this article, we look at the benefits of having a dashcam and why you might need one in your car.
A dashboard camera, or dashcam, is a small digital camera that’s mounted either on your car’s dashboard or behind your rear-view mirror. It turns on when you start your engine and records your whole journey. There are also dashcams that feature a parking mode – this means that if your car is hit by another vehicle while they’re parking, the dashcam will turn on and record the impact.
There are three main types of dashcam:
Front view – these dashcams only capture the traffic in front of your vehicle
Front and back view – these dashcams capture the traffic both in front and behind your vehicle
Cabin view – these dashcams capture the interior of your vehicle, making them particularly useful for taxis and car services1
Dashcams come in all shapes and sizes, with some able to rotate and move to capture footage. They can also record at different resolutions and offer a range of features to suit different needs and budgets.
When comparing models, make sure the footage is clear enough to capture important details, such as number plates and faces. It's worth reviewing sample footage and sound quality before buying so you can be confident the camera meets your requirements.
Some cars even come fitted with their own dashcam – although you can choose to install a new one if you need different features.
Dashcams can be incredibly helpful if you’re involved in an accident, especially when there are no witnesses. Recorded footage of the incident can help to clarify what happened and who’s at fault.
A driver who spoke to Which? explained how a dashcam helped them in an accident – they were stopped at traffic lights when another car collided with the back of their car, causing them to hurtle forwards. The dashcam footage showed that their car was stationary and how far they were pushed forward. This ended up helping the driver when they came to make a claim as it showed they weren’t responsible for the accident2
Some dashcams include GPS functionality to record your location data. Certain models also offer emergency SOS features that can help responders locate you following a serious incident3. This functionality can also serve as extra evidence if you need to give the footage to your insurer or the police.
And another thing – dashcams can act as a useful deterrent for thieves, or a way to catch them if they do manage to take your car. Another driver who spoke to Which? explained how their stolen car was recovered thanks to dashcam footage – they’d moved it to the back seat, where it continued to record everything that happened in the car, including the faces of the thief and their accomplice. Images from the camera along with fingerprints left on it helped police to identify, arrest and charge the criminal4.
As mentioned above, dashcams can help to clarify who was at fault in an accident. If the other party is found to be at fault and their insurer accepts liability, you may be able to recover your excess5.
You may also be able to qualify for a discount on your premium if you have a dashcam installed6, but not all insurance companies offer this – make sure to check the terms of your policy for clarification.
If you're looking for car insurance, Everywhen is here to help you protect your vehicle. Whether you already have a dashcam installed or are thinking about getting one, having the right cover in place can give you extra confidence every time you get behind the wheel.
Our friendly team can help you find a policy that suits your needs, so you can spend less time worrying and more time enjoying the journey. Get in touch with Everywhen today on 01792 522 622 or visit our dedicated motor insurance page to see how we can help keep you moving forward.
The information contained in this article is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice and cannot be relied upon as such. Should you have any queries, we recommend that you consult the appropriate professional adviser.
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