2016-07-22

Ever been in an accident that wasn't your fault, but you were unable to prove it? It's a bitter pill to swallow when your premiums go up as a result. However, with one simple investment, you could always have evidence should an accident occur - get yourself a dash cam!

What is a Dash Cam?

A dashboard camera, or 'dash cam' as it is commonly known, is a small video camera that is mounted to the inside of a vehicle near the rear-view mirror. This should point outwards and film the driver's view through the windscreen.

These dash cams are powered using the car's 12V socket and therefore will begin recording every time the engine is started and end when the engine is turned off. Footage can be played back and backed-up to a computer for safe keeping too.

The more advanced models will also have GPS and will record your speed and location, which can be particularly handy should an accident occur.

These dash cams are extremely easy to fit and can easily be mounted in any company car, trade van or HGV. In fact, they're so easy to set up, around 3 million UK motorists now have one.

How Can a Dash Cam Help You?

In many cases a dash cam could reduce your premiums and help you to keep your no-claims bonus safe without the need to increase your excess or reduce your annual mileage.

Recent reports have claimed that some insurers are willing to provide 10% to 15% discounts if you install a dash cam. This is a huge saving, especially since they can be purchased for as little as £10 online, and can show exactly what happened in the case of an accident - including who is at fault.

Dash Cams Can Protect You from Crash for Cash Schemes

In recent years, there has been a surge of 'crash for cash' schemes, where innocent motorists are caught up in insurance scams. A vehicle will purposely break sharply to cause a crash or drive into stationary objects in order to cause damage; the driver will then make a claim on their policy.

According to the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), these 'crash for cash' claims cost the UK £336 million in 2015; and in December, 80 people were criminally convicted of being part of one of the biggest 'crash for cash' schemes ever in the UK. This scheme saw one Welsh garage claim £800,000 in four years by inflating damage claims.

Dash cams could help should you become an unwilling victim of this. If you're worried about becoming the target of fraudsters, the camera will provide evidential film footage to show what really happens during an accident.

Are you interested in learning more about insurance policies and how dash cams, as well as comparing online, can save you money? Then get in touch on 0800 470 4648.