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Dash cams and car insurance discounts

Written by Kasey Cassells, Senior content editor

Edited by Samantha Downes, Freelance writer, 24 September 2020

Find out whether dashboard cameras, also called dash cams, can help you get cheaper car insurance

Dashboard cameras: Can you save money on your car insurance with a dash cam?

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Why are people using dash cams?

While dash cams have been popular in eastern Europe and Asia for some time, drivers in the UK are becoming more aware of the technology as the footage floods video sharing sites such as YouTube.

  • over 94% of drivers in the UK are aware of dash cams

  • just 15% of motorists currently have one

  • insurers take dash cam footage into account when settling claims

How do dash cams work?

Dash cams are small cameras attached to the dashboard or windscreen of a car and they record each journey. 

  • they cost between £50 and £250

  • the camera faces outward, capturing the driver’s view of the road

  • some dash cams can also record the view from the rear of the car

  • most dash cams automatically overwrite older footage 

  • this means every journey can be recorded without worrying out running out of memory

What are dash cams used for?

Dashcams can provide valuable evidence of what happened in an accident and can help settle claims more quickly and reduce fraud.

  • they can also be used to prove drivers’ safety and skills behind the wheel

  • cyclists often fit a camera to their helmets just in case they are involved in an incident on the road

What are the benefits of dash cams?

Research from Axa found over a quarter of innocent drivers (27%) were unable to prove that they were not to blame for an accident.

Having a dash cam means you have evidence if an accident is not your fault

  • as a dash cam records and stores footage of the driver’s view, it’s easy to revisit the events and conditions leading up to a road accident

  • many insurers now accept dash cam footage as evidence when processing claims

  • this makes it easier to determine the cause of the accident and which party was at fault,

  • having dash cam footage can also speed up the claims process.

Which insurers offer discount for a dash cam?

The number of insurers that offer a discount for drivers who install a dash cam is growing.

Adrian Flux offers up to 15% discounts while AXA Insurance offers 10%. Admiral Diamond and Elephant also offer a discount to drivers with a dash cam, although it can vary.

Before deciding to take out a policy it’s always best to shop around for car insurance.

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