Reasons to Install a Dashcam

It is estimated that around one-third of motorists in the UK have installed a dashcam in their vehicle and the numbers are growing. It’s no wonder drivers have begun to catch on to how useful these devices can be. Here, we look at some of the main reasons people are choosing to install a dashcam.

A dashcam has several functions depending on individual requirements and budgets. For this reason, it’s worth consulting a company that specialises in vehicle security and motoring tech before buying a new piece willy-nilly. That way you can be sure of getting the right device for your car. 

Most drivers will install a dashcam as a way of protecting themselves in case of a road traffic collision or other incident. Insurance companies nowadays are increasingly looking for ways to avoid paying out policies to motorists involved in crashes or as a way of reducing any compensation claims. Dashcam footage can provide solid evidence in some cases of exactly how a crash has occurred.

Crucially, dashcam footage can be priceless in cases of fraudulent insurance claims. The internet and especially YouTube are full of sometimes comedic videos captured on the dashcams of motorists and sometimes pedestrians trying their luck in order to – as they think – extort easy compensation from a driver’s insurance company.

One of the most popular scams of recent years has been the ‘crash for cash’ phenomenon. This is where the vehicle in front reverses into the front of your car and the driver then tries to indicate that it is your fault. This is unfortunately an all-too-common occurrence in which without any witnesses or solid evidence it is difficult to establish fault.

If this happens to you dashcam evidence could prove invaluable in saving you from an expensive claim against your insurance and potentially increased premiums.

In accidents involving vehicles, it’s often a case of your word against theirs. If there is no police report available fighting your corner in an insurance claim, your no-claims discount can be helped enormously by dashcam footage showing exactly what happened.

Dashcam evidence can also help to speed up an insurance claim, a process that can be notoriously slow, especially in an age when companies will do whatever they can to avoid paying. Some insurance companies even offer discounts for dashcam installation.

Some dashcams are equipped with motion sensors that detect movement around your vehicle even when parked. This can alert you in the event of a potential attempt at theft or another vehicle hits yours and the record function will activate.

Dashcams are small and discreet and can easily be mounted wherever in your vehicle you feel is practical and comfortable.

·  Front view – The camera can capture views of traffic in front of your vehicle. A dashcam mounted here should not obstruct your view.

·  Front and back view – The camera has both front and rear views, useful in a rear-end collision.

·  Cabin view – These are mostly used in commercial vehicles like taxis, HGVs and delivery vehicles but can be useful if you share a car.

Most dashcams store footage on a memory/SD card while some can store footage on a cloud server. Either way, these will serve as a record of what’s happened to you and your vehicle.  

Hopefully, now you’ll have more of an idea of whether a dashcam is for you. For further advice concerning dash cams, contact a trusted provider for help. 

The post Reasons to Install a Dashcam appeared first on Moss and Fog.