Dash Cam

Key takeaways

• Dash cams can protect your no-claims discount by providing evidence you weren’t at fault in an incident

• Inform your provider if you have a dash cam as some insurers offer discounts for dash cams, but this is not standard

• Dash cam prices range from free apps to high-tech models over £400, with budget models costing less than £50

What is a dash cam?

A dash cam is a camera which is fitted inside a vehicle and records what is happening on the road.

You can mount a dash cam to your windscreen, opt for a mirror dash cam which simply clips over the rear view mirror (and can double up as a reversing camera) or even use an app to turn your smartphone into a dash cam.

Dash cam footage is increasingly being used by insurers and the police. In the past five years, more than 135,000 dangerous driving clips have been uploaded to the National Dash Cam Safety Portal - a platform for drivers to share footage with police forces. Seven in ten submissions have resulted in further action from the police.

Types of dash cams

Forward-facing - this is the most common type and records what’s happening on the road ahead. It is usually mounted near the top of the windscreen, behind the rear view mirror.

Rear-facing - this records what’s happening behind your vehicle. It may be mounted to the centre of the rear window or externally on the rear of the car.

Front and rear facing - this records what’s happening at the front and rear of your vehicle.

Front, rear and side - a new development in dash cams is to capture what’s happening at the side of the vehicle as well as in front and behind.

Are dash cams legal?

Yes, dash cams are legal on UK roads but if your dash cam is poorly fitted or it distracts you while you’re driving you could get in trouble with the police. If you’re using your smartphone as a dash cam it needs to be mounted or in a cradle. It’s important to make sure that if you fit a dash cam it doesn’t block your view of the road.

What are the insurance benefits of dash cams?

• Protecting your no-claims discount. Dash cams can provide evidence that you were not at fault in an incident rather than a 50/50 (or ‘knock-for-knock’) decision

• A quicker claims process. Having dash cam footage can speed up how long it takes to settle a claim

• Helping fight fraud. If you are a victim of a ‘cash for crash’ incident where fraudsters deliberately stage or cause an accident, or you are subject to a false claim in relation to the number of passengers in the other vehicle, a dash cam can provide vital evidence

• Catching thieves. Some dash cams have parking surveillance and are able to detect motion while your car is parked. This means that if another car hits yours or a thief breaks into your car, recording will be triggered

• Safer driving. Knowing that your driving is recorded may result in you driving more carefully, which in turn could reduce your risk of having an incident, resulting in lower insurance premiums

Do insurers give a discount for a dash cam?

Yes, some insurers offer a discount if you fit a dash cam but it isn't a standard offering. To see whether you are eligible for a discount you will first need to inform your provider that you have fitted a dash cam to your vehicle.

If you are applying for a policy directly through a provider's website, they may have an option in their application form under 'modifications' for you to mention your dash cam. If this option isn't available or if you take out your policy through MoneySuperMarket, you would need to contact the relevant brand directly.

To get a discount, certain conditions may apply. For example, your insurer may have a list of approved makes and models of dash cams and there may be rules about how the dash cam is installed.

Does having a dash cam lower your insurance?

Having a dash cam doesn’t automatically lower your insurance, although there are many insurance-related benefits. You may get an upfront discount from your insurer but you need to see whether this outweighs the cost of the dash cam and if you are still getting the cheapest deal. You can compare car insurance with MoneySuperMarket.

Did you know…

Crash for cash moped scams, where mopeds are deliberately driven at oncoming traffic, have been on the rise since 2021, according to the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB). It says these incidents are common across London, and recently there have been growing reports in Chelmsford in Essex, and Hertford, Rickmansworth and St Albans in Hertfordshire. Moped scammers also persuade victims to share their insurance certificate or driving licence and use these details in a range of financial crimes. Since summer 2024, 1,100 fraudulent motor insurance policies have been taken out by moped scammers using stolen details of crash for cash victims.

What are the disadvantages of dash cams?

• Risk of theft: Dash cams can attract thieves if they are on display, although you may be able to recover the cost if you have comprehensive car insurance with personal belongings included

• The video footage needs to be good enough quality and show the car’s registration to be used as evidence in court

• Footage can show you were at-fault. As well as proving your innocence, dash cam footage can work the other way and make it clear you were to blame for an incident

• Cost: To get all of the features and benefits a dash cam offers you may need to spend several hundred pounds

• Distraction: A dash cam may potentially distract you if it displays a moving image all the time. However, you should be able to turn this off in the settings

How much does a dash cam cost?

Dash cams vary in price from free apps for Android and Apple iOS devices to high-tech models costing more than £400. Budget models are available for less than £50.

The difference in price is usually down to the quality of the recording and the features included such as:

• Wi-Fi connectivity

• Amazon Alexa integration

• Night-time recording

• Parking surveillance

• An emergency SOS service

As well as the cost of the device itself, you might want to factor in having the dash cam professionally installed, although there are online guides available on hardwiring a dash cam.

Which car manufacturers offer dash cams?

BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla and Toyota are among the car manufacturers which offer dash cams on select models. Citroen previously fitted a dash cam to the C3 and C5 Aircross.

Where is dash cam footage stored?

The footage from the dash cam is stored on a memory card (usually a microSD card) and you can then transfer the footage to your computer. The dash cam will have a certain memory card size which it can take and usually the oldest footage will automatically be overwritten once the card is full.

Some dash cams have the ability to send the data to a cloud server, where it is stored securely instead.

How do I send dash cam footage to my insurer?

Usually, when you make a claim your insurer will ask if you have dash cam footage and provide you with a link to a secure website where you can upload the footage.

How do I send dash cam footage to the police?

Via the National Dash Cam Safety Portal, which allows you to upload footage (regardless of the device used) directly to most UK police forces

Via the police force’s own website, particularly if they are part of Operation Snap, or by contacting them