As dashcams become more affordable, many of us are are installing them to help stay safer when out and about. That’s a smart move according to breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist that says the humble dashcam can help in several important ways:
1. Record evidence in an incident or collision
The problem with many road incidents is whose fault it was. Any investigation by insurers often comes down to who they choose to believe based on what’s being said by the drivers or witnesses. However, with a dashcam, the process is made far simpler – it captures what happened on video, making it far easier to determine who was at fault.
2. Protect you against scams
In recent years, there has been a marked increase in criminals carrying out ‘crash-for-cash’ scams. This is where they deliberately cause a minor “accident” and then blame you to get money from your insurer. A dashcam removes any chance of them making a fraudulent claim. Better still, your footage could help get them locked up. That’s a win-win as far as we’re concerned.
3. Drive down insurance costs
Perhaps most temptingly, installing a dashcam can see some insurers cut the cost of your insurance policy by up to 20%. That’s a very useful saving when you consider the average cost of insurance for a new driver in their first year is as much as £3,000.
“If you’re a safe, conscientious driver, a dashcam helps protect your no-claims bonus, as well as allowing you to play your part in reporting offences, road rage incidents and ‘crash-for-cash’ scams.”
• James Luckhurst, Head of Road Safety, GEM Motoring Assist
Help with learning to drive
Dashcams are useful even before you’ve passed your driving test. They enable your instructor to record your lesson (preferably with your permission or your guardian’s if you are under 18).
Using the footage, your instructor can replay any mistakes you made during the lesson and offer practical advice to help get you test-ready.
Which dashcam?
Prices for dashcams are super cheap nowadays and you can get one for as little as £25. As ever though, you do get what you pay for so consider paying more to get hold of one that has all the features you need.
According to GEM Motoring Assist, the best features to have are:
- A cam that can shoot at least 1080p so any footage is of high enough quality to be usable.
- Decent low-light capabilities, enabling the cam to record usable footage in the evening and at night.
- A wide-angle lens so the cam captures more of the road and your surroundings.
- GPS functionality to capture your speed and location, providing vital data if you’re involved in a collision.
- Loop recording that enables the cam to keep capturing footage, recording over previous footage that you don’t need.
- Consider splurging on a cam with a parking mode – when you leave your car, the dashcam continues recording, potentially putting off wannabe car thieves or vandals.
Finally, do be wary of how you mount the dashcam in your windscreen (and back window if you get two). Remember, the Highway Code states that your “windscreens and windows MUST be kept clean and free from obstructions to vision”.
If your cam blocks your view in any way, you run the risk of being fined and having three points put on your licence – not the greatest start to a life of safer driving.
Know Your Code
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