Is it just me, or are there more dangerous drivers on the roads these days? There is a real issue of distracted driving in road users now. While having a dash cam doesn’t improve driver behaviour, recorded footage from on board vehicle cameras can be used as video evidence of an incident with another driver. Plus, with the rising costs of car insurance, it’s important you do everything you can to protect yourself against other road users and reduce your premium.
What is a Dash Cam?
A dashboard camera, or dash cam, is a specifically designed camera for use in vehicles. They are connected to the power supply through a cigarette lighter or directly into the car battery. Depending on the make and model, some will only record your journey, while others record 24/7 or activate with motion detection.
Is it worth having a dash cam?
Having a dash camera fitted in your car has many benefits. It can help lower the cost of insurance, and can help you in the event of a claim or vehicle theft. It is one of the most valuable gadgets you can buy. Here are a few reasons why:
1. It can prevent theft
Having a dashboard camera visible in the windscreen could deter criminals from trying to steal your car. It is like having CCTV at home; they will think twice before smiling for the camera.
Note: Recorded footage stored on an SD card in the camera is useless if stolen. You should consider one with enhanced functionality with a feature to connect with your phone, rather than the memory card.
2. Dash cam footage is video evidence
If someone steals your car, and you have the recording, you can submit it as video evidence. Some offer parking mode with motion detection, which will start recording if the camera picks up movement when your car is parked. Additionally, this footage can be stored on your connected smartphone and can be shown to the police to help the investigation.
The same applies in the event of a car crash. For example, if you are in an accident with no witnesses, the other driver might deny everything. You can use the recorded footage as proof.
3. Do dash cams lower car insurance premiums?
Since video footage can be used as video evidence of a claim or theft, fitting a dash cam can lower insurance premiums by up to 25%. However, if you tell your insurer you have a camera, be sure you are telling the truth. They will ask for footage in the event of a claim and can cancel your insurance if you lied.
Best Dash Cams in 2024
There are many types of dash cams available. The best camera should be easy to use and not obstruct your view, or important safety features, such as airbags or sensors. You should also be able to clearly see where you’re going when driving with your dash cam fitted.
Some are front-facing only, but you can get dual cameras with a rear dash cam too. The rear camera is fitted either inside the rear window, or externally at the number plate. Crucially, it should record HD footage for the best image quality. You want high video quality, ideally a 4k dash cam, so nobody can dispute what happened. More advanced features could include night vision and detailed information such as driving speed.
Here are some of the best dashboard cameras you can buy now:
1. NextBase Dash Cam
- What-3-Words
- Clear Video Quality
- Rear Camera Available
Taking the top spot has to be a Nextbase dash cam. These are high-end and currently offer the most features of any cameras. The highest in the range is the NextBase 622gw – not a fancy name but packed with advanced features.
It is full of ‘firsts’ in the dash cam world, including GPS tracking with What-3-Words, image stabilisation and Amazon Alexa integration. Though, it is £279.99. Thankfully, you can get more affordable NextBase cameras with a rear facing camera too.
2. Garmin Dash Cam
- Wide Angle View
- Night Vision
- Barely Noticeable
A Garmin Dash Cam is a terrific mid-range option. The Garmin Mini is car-key-sized and has smartphone integration and parking mode. It has a wide 140-degree viewing angle with 1080p resolution and night vision, it’s perfect for capturing high-quality footage anytime and is my choice for a taxi driver. That said, two notable drawbacks are that it doesn’t have a display or GPS. It’s a great option at just £89.99.
3. Halford's Dash Cam
- Most Affordable Dash Cam
- Parking Mode
- Easy To Install
The Halford’s HDC400 is a budget-friendly option. It still benefits from 1440p recording with a 180-degree viewing angle, GPS, night vision and parking mode. Again, it lacks a display, but you can easily view footage from your smartphone thanks to built-in Wi-Fi. This affordable dash cam with good video quality could be used by companies for fleet safety and to encourage safer driving in commercial vehicles.
Even though they can’t prevent a crash, or abolish dangerous drivers, having a dashboard camera fitted can help you in a claim and reduce your car insurance premium. As much as I hope you are never in an accident, it happens to all of us eventually. No matter which dash cam you buy, it will be worth it if you’re in an accident.
If you do have a bump, make sure you know what to do in a car crash by following this seven-step checklist.
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