If you’re involved in a road accident with no CCTV or witnesses, how will your insurance company know who is at fault - and what if they get it wrong? You could end up losing your no-claims bonus and seeing your policy price skyrocket.
Nobody wants that. But what can you do to ensure it doesn’t happen? That’s where a dash cam can help. This guide explains how these handy recording devices work and the benefits of installing one in your car.
What is a dash cam?
A dash cam is a small in-car camera mounted to the windscreen or dashboard. It records everything that happens in front of a vehicle and, in some cases, behind it. The footage it stores is valuable because the police and insurance companies can use it to determine who is at fault in the event of a collision.
How does a dash cam work?
Dash cams can be placed at the front or rear of your car to record footage of what’s happening nearby. The recording begins when you turn the key in the ignition and is saved to a micro SD card. The camera can be powered via a cable plugged into the cigarette lighter or hard-wired into the fuse box.
Some dash cams have a loop recording function, which means the oldest footage automatically gets overwritten when the memory card is full.
Others have a built-in sensor to detect changes in G-force, indicating a crash has taken place. If the sensor is triggered, the footage will be stored securely on the memory card for review without being overwritten.
You can also get dash cams with GPS technology, which tracks the speed and location of your vehicle at all times.
Are dash cams worth it?
Buying a dash cam might seem like an unnecessary expense. After all, what are the chances you’ll be involved in an accident? Most of us would like to think they’re pretty low - but using dash cam footage in the event of a crash isn’t the only benefit.
Even if the footage never gets used, installing the camera can save you money on car insurance. And with policy prices rising, a little extra help with the cost could go a long way.
The benefits of having a dash cam
Provides evidence in the event of a crash
Protects your no claims discount
Can lower your insurance premium
Gives you peace of mind
Encourages better driving
Hard-wired dash cams vs 12v connector
It’s possible to plug some dash cams into the cigarette lighter. However, getting the camera hard-wired into your car brings significant benefits.
Neater - All cables are hidden under the dashboard, so you don’t have to worry about getting caught on wires or accidentally pulling them loose.
Always on - When your engine is on, the dash cam is recording. You won’t miss any important footage.
Parking Mode - Parking Mode offers 24/7 impact and motion detection, but most dash cams must be hard-wired for this feature.
Free up your cigarette lighter - You can use your cigarette lighter for other things.
Can you report drivers with dash cam footage?
You can report drivers with dash cam footage using the National Dash Cam Safety Portal (NDSP), which allows you to submit footage straight to your local police force.
Alternatively, you can report the incident directly to the police by calling 101 or the number of your local police station. They will ask you to tell them about the incident and send you a secure link to submit your footage.
Learn more about reporting dangerous driving in this guide.
Can the police prosecute with dash cam footage?
Not all dash cam footage is admissible as evidence. It must meet the following criteria:
For identification purposes, the footage must clearly show the vehicle’s number plate.
It must clearly show the alleged offence, with some footage before and after. Police are less likely to prosecute if the clip is short because it is hard to tell if a prior incident played a part in the offence.
The person submitting the footage must keep the original unedited version for the duration of the court proceedings and be willing to assert the date and time of the incident under oath.
The footage must be clear and of good quality.
It must be easy to establish who owns the footage and how it was stored and sent to the relevant constabulary.
It must comply with all relevant laws, data protection and privacy regulations.
Important dash cam features
If you’ve decided to buy a dash cam - good choice! Now you just need to find the right one. Here are the most important features you should consider during the buying process.
Viewing angle
The viewing angle is the amount of road that can be recorded. Ideally, you’ll need at least 120 degrees for a decent view - but some cameras have a full 180-degree viewing angle, ensuring clear footage even if a collision happens at the side of your car.
Video quality
Finding a camera that records high-quality footage is crucial because a blurry video can’t be used as evidence in court and may not capture enough detail to prove who was at fault during an accident.
Look for high-definition (HD) quality at a minimum. If you want to go a step further and get a dash cam that shoots crystal-clear videos, look for ultra-high definition (UHD), which offers twice the resolution of HD, or 4K, which provides four times the quality of HD.
Night time recording
We typically spend a lot more time driving in the dark in the winter. You’ll need a dash cam capable of recording clear footage in dark conditions. Some models have a night vision mode, capturing 4K videos even on unlit roads.
GPS
Some dash cams have built-in GPS, which automatically adds a location to important video clips. This feature allows you to see where an incident occurred, which is helpful if the police or insurance companies need to match your footage with witness statements or CCTV recordings.
Parking mode
You can get dash cams with parking mode that captures footage even when the vehicle isn’t moving. Advanced models can be set up to send footage to your phone or a connected device. This is helpful if somebody drives your car while you’re not in it or a thief causes damage.
Voice activation
What happens if you want to capture a still image or lock a video clip while you’re driving? Taking your hands off the wheel would be dangerous, and you might find yourself getting distracted. You can avoid this situation by purchasing a dash cam that allows voice commands.
Some dash cams come with Alexa, giving you access to a range of extra features like seeking directions, playing music and connecting with at-home smart devices.
Frequently asked questions
Some dash cams can record audio as well as video. If you use a dash cam with an integrated microphone, you should be cautious about recording conversations or other private information without consent, as this can infringe on the privacy rights of individuals. Always inform passengers and anyone else who may be recorded that audio is being captured.
All dash cams continue recording at night. However, the quality of the footage can vary. A high-definition, ultra-high definition or 4K camera will offer enhanced quality in low light conditions - but if this is a major concern, consider looking for a dash cam with night vision mode.
Dash cams with parking mode capture video even when the vehicle is parked. These models tend to be hard-wired into the car.
The footage is stored on a micro SD card. The oldest footage will automatically be overwritten when the card’s memory is full. You can also transfer footage onto your phone, laptop or tablet for permanent storage.
Dash cams are legal in the UK as long as they don’t restrict the driver’s view and are not used to invade anyone’s privacy. However, you should avoid recording audio of anyone who hasn’t consented, as this could breach privacy rules.
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Written by Ellie
Ellie is FixMyCar's Content Writer. She has over three years of experience writing about cars and regularly collaborates with automotive experts to provide trustworthy advice for drivers that is easy understand. Her work has been featured in Yahoo! Finance, iNews, The Daily Express and The Sun. She has a BA in English literature and an MA in creative writing from Durham University. Outside of work, Ellie follows F1 and eagerly awaits Ferrari's next era of dominance in the sport. She drives a Suzuki Swift.